Loss is painful
When you lose someone you love, it's a painful experience. Death can come as a shock, even if you're expecting a loved one to die. Whether you lose a parent to old age or a friend dies in an accident, those feelings of loss are powerful and real. You may feel powerless, sad, scared to accept the truth, or angry at death. These are all valid emotions, and ones that you can talk about in grief counselling. But, grief counselling isn't just about a loved one passing away; it's about so much more.
What is grief counselling?
Grief counselling is a form of mental health treatment where you discuss the loss. It doesn't only involve death. You can lose many things in life besides a loved one. When people lose their jobs, it's painful. Going through a divorce is traumatic. In grief counselling, you cope with many sorts of loss, including emotional, physical, spiritual, or social. When a loved one dies, it hurts. You miss that person, dearly. You may experience similar feelings when a relationship ends, or you miscarry a baby. These are different kinds of losses and ones that a grief counsellor understands.
How grief counselling works
A big part of grief counselling is learning to confront that trauma and move through it. When someone dies, or you lose something in your life abruptly, it's traumatic. It's common to get stuck in a holding pattern of sadness. It's natural to feel paralyzed by grief, but it doesn't have to be that way. Loss is a part of life, and it's painful, but there are ways we can learn to cope with it. When a person feels like they're having trouble functioning in their daily life because of grief, they could benefit from grief counselling. A counsellor will help the client learn coping skills to deal with loss. They will support the person in processing what they've been through and encouraging them to learn to care for themselves.
The stages of grief
Elizabeth Kubler Ross is known for identifying the stages of grief. She worked with patients that were terminally ill and helped them learn to cope with the harsh reality that they were dying. The stages are denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. These patients learned that they were dying and had a hard time coping with it at first. Over some time, as they moved through the various stages of grief, they came to accept it. After some time, the Kubler Ross model was adapted. Now it's used for people who are coping with the loss of a loved one. Grief counsellors reference the stages of grief to guide people through the grieving process.
Complicated grief
Approximately 15 per cent of people who have lost someone they love experience "complicated grief." That's a form of grieving that lasts for a year or longer. When you are feeling this way, it's crucial to seek mental health support. Grief counsellors know what it's like to have trouble letting go of a loss. It can feel nearly impossible to get through these painful feelings, but there's a definitive way to process them - confronting the emotions in counselling.
Do you need grief counselling?
You may be wondering if grief counselling is necessary for you. Here are some reasons to consider seeking grief counselling:
You have recently lost a loved one
A pet has died
Job loss
Divorce
Grieving is lasting a year or more and not getting better
Grief is getting in the way of enjoying life
These are just some reasons to consider choosing grief counselling. Grief is a part of life, but it doesn't have to dominate your days. You can learn to cope with loss, and begin to heal by seeking professional help. Grief counsellors are sensitive and caring individuals who understand that it's not easy to face a loss. You can take your time speaking about what or who you've lost and reach a place of peace. It's possible to heal from grieving if you allow yourself to seek support.
*AD
