Grief  Counseling

We all experience grief and loss in diverse ways. For many of us, it entails a series of emotional upheavals that disrupt daily life. Grief and loss therapy offers essential support for individuals navigating the emotional challenges of loss, whether from the death of a loved one, job loss, relationship breakup, or other significant life changes. Oftentimes, symptoms of grief can take over your life.  

 

River Grove Therapy believes in providing a safe space to process feelings of grief, explore coping mechanisms, and gradually adjust to a 'new normal' without feeling overwhelmed. Through compassionate guidance and evidence-based techniques, we can work together to heal and rebuild lives with resilience and hope. 

 

If you're seeking support during a difficult time, River Grove Therapy specializes in helping you navigate grief effectively and regain a sense of stability and well-being.

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Causes of Grief

• Loss of a relationship

• Job loss

• Physical Trauma

• Emotional Trauma

• Loss of a loved one

• Loss of a beloved pet

• Family strain

• Miscarriage or stillbirths

• Lost opportunities

• Bad relationship(s) that keeps us from healthy ones

• Wishing we would have gone to college or taking that promotion

• The childhood we could have had/deserved

• Things left unsaid to loved one/pet

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Why Grief Counseling Is Important

Grief counseling is important as it can help us navigate the loss and desensitize the symptoms of grief. As grief comes in all shapes and sizes, make sure to be aware of trauma-informed therapies as well.

 

Emotional Symptoms include:

• Shock and Disbelief

• Confusion

• Feeling Numb

• Denial

• Sadness

• Despair

• Loneliness

• Feeling Empty

• Guilt

• Regret

• Shame

• Anger

• Resentment

• Irritability

• Lack of motivation

• Loss of interest in activities

• Neglecting responsibilities like work or family

• Suicidal Thoughts

• Anxiety

• Helplessness

• Insecurity

• Fear

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Physical symptoms include:

• Fatigue

• Nausea

• Sickness

• Weight Loss or GaiMusclele Tension

• Nightmares

• Heart Palpitations

• Trouble Breathing

• Feeling Faint or Lightheaded

• Insomnia

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How To Tell If Grief Counseling Could Help

When the emotional and/or physical pain starts to interfere with your relationships, responsibilities, and/or quality of life, it is probably time to come to therapy to process your grief.

It is especially important to talk to a therapist if you are unable to healthily cope with the pain of your loss. When coping strategies become maladaptive (unhealthy) they can only compound the impact of the grief. Examples of maladaptive coping behaviors are numbing/avoidance behaviors like substance use, disappearing into your phone or social media, eating too much or too little, spending too much money. 

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Why Grief Counseling is Important

Grief and death is something that is not talked about enough. Often times when we lean on well-intentioned friends and family they are unsure of how to support us or do so in ways that create more harm. Grief counseling offers you a safe and compassionate place to talk with an educated professional who possesses the knowledge and vocabulary to effectively meet you where you are in the grief process and show you the path forward. 

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What Happens In Grief Counseling?

Grief counseling is a safe and compassionate place to process the pain of the emotional and physical impacts of loss. Whatever you are feeling right now is okay and valid. In grief counseling, you will learn healthy coping strategies to navigate the painful emotions that come with loss. Counseling also gives you the space to create meaning of the loss and identify ways to honor the loss of a loved one.

When there is a severe and traumatic loss, trauma septic interventions like EMDR  and hypnotherapy can be extremely helpful.

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When To Start Grief Counseling?

There is no time limit on the grieving process. Grief counseling can be effective at any point after the loss. Whether is as been a couple of days or many years, grief counseling is effective.