Grief & Loss

Finding a new way forward does not mean forgetting your past.

Grieving a loss or anticipating a loss can feel lonely, scary and intense. Sometimes people feel hopeless or helpless with little desire to be around others or to do things they normally enjoy. Compound losses, traumatic losses, limited support can make such dark times feel even worse. In grief counseling, we might address:

• Understanding expectations- the “should’s” and “should not’s”- that others impose and those we impose on ourselves about coping with loss

• Setting boundaries with well-intentioned others

• seeking a new understanding of who you are in the absence of the one who is no longer with you

• Understanding the many ways that grief can affect you, from low energy, sadness, avoidance, intensified longings, forgetfulness, self-neglect, loss of sense of self, nightmares, to constant reliving of a loss

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Your loss is personal to you, and you don’t have to feel ashamed about how you feel, or believe that it’s somehow only appropriate to grieve for certain situations of for certain periods of time. If the person, animal, relationship, or situation was significant to you, it’s normal to grieve the loss you’re experiencing. Regardless of the cause of your grief, there are adaptive ways to cope with the pain. I am confident that I can help you to identify your own ways of coping, decrease the detrimental effect of sadness and help you come to terms with your loss, find new meaning, and help you to rebuild your life.