Grief is an inevitable, inescapable part of life. It is a powerful emotion often experienced after the loss of a loved one. As time passes, people come to terms with their loss and learn ways to cope with what they’re feeling. Sometimes, however, grief can hit harder than expected and may leave you struggling with it.
No matter how long it takes to mourn the loss of a loved one, grief counselling can be the solution you need to guide you during one of the most difficult experiences in your life.
What is grief counselling?
Grief counselling is a form of psychotherapy designed to help people cope with the grief and mourning following the death of a loved one. It can also help with the significant life changes that trigger feelings of grief.
Not all people need grief counselling. Each individual has their own coping mechanism that they employ to help them mourn and endure the feelings of grief until they finally move on. However, counselling is generally recommended to individuals whose grief are:
- Interfering with daily activities;
- Causing problems in existing relationships;
- Causing feelings of guilt and depression; or
- Causing problems with existing relationships.
Through personal or online counselling, people struggling with grief can find the support that will help them through it.
How does grief work?
Counselling involves learning about the grieving process and understanding how it can sometimes overwhelm a person no matter how emotionally strong they are.
Grief manifests in a range of thoughts and behaviours. Some people prefer the company of other people, while some prefer to grieve by their lonesome. What makes grief a formidable adversary is when your normal thoughts and behaviours are associated with it. This leads to developing symptoms like depression, anxiety, and other self-destructive behaviours.
If you’ve come to the point where you feel these symptoms, you may need anxiety counselling or other forms of psychotherapy from a professional.
How does grief counselling help?
Participating in grief therapy can put you more in touch with your emotions and thoughts, which can help you with your recovery. Through counselling, you go through every stage of grief and loss while having ample support. They are a powerful tool to help you rediscover meaning in your life and help you express your feelings in a healthier way.
It is important to remember that therapy and counselling won’t actually solve every problem you may be experiencing related to traumatic loss. It is merely a tool to help you begin the healing process. Once you’ve committed yourself to heal, your counsellor will guide you through the following stages:
- Accepting the reality of your loss
- Identifying and dealing with trauma
- Talking freely about the person you lost
- Experiencing and expressing your emotions
- Overcoming feelings of guilt
- Coping with major life changes
Final Thoughts
Grief is not a mental disorder. It is merely a temporary feeling that can be overcome given time and enough emotional support. Everyone experiences grief at some point in their lives, and the process of recovering from it can be a long and arduous undertaking—but it’s not impossible. Social support from friends and family is vital to the healing process. Finally, it’s okay to seek help from a counsellor or therapist to help deal with feelings of grief in a healthy and systematic way.
If you feel the need to talk to someone to help you deal with your troubles, Chettiar Counselling & Associates is here to help. We provide opportunities for you to work through your concerns and connect with your feelings. Our phone and online counselling sessions are always available and ready at your disposal. Contact us for a free consultation today!
