grief and loss THERApy
Signs of Grief + Recovery
Losing someone can be an extremely complex, varied and painful experience. It’s possible that we didn’t even have a healthy or positive relationship with the person we lost and yet we are still feeling intense grief and maybe confusion. It’s possible to be grieving the loss of a friend or pet in a way that others around us cannot empathize with fully. The loss can be due to death, illness, a break up or separation. Loss can further include pregnancy loss that can also lead to anxiety about conceiving and future pregnancy in addition to grief. Loss is painful and isolating.
Here are some things you may be finding yourself experiencing:
- Emotional Responses:
- Intense sadness and feelings of emptiness, waves of sorrow or uncontrollable crying, emotional numbness or a sense of disbelief.
- Cognitive and Behavioral Changes:
- Difficulty concentrating and making decisions, changes in sleep patterns, such as insomnia or oversleeping.
- Physical Symptoms:
- Fatigue and low energy levels, aches and pains, often related to tension and stress, restlessness or a feeling of being on edge, appetite changes, including loss of appetite or overeating.
- Social Withdrawal:
- Avoidance of social activities or isolating oneself, difficulty engaging in conversations or connecting with others, feeling detached from friends and family.
- Substance overuse
- Guilt and Self-Blame:
- Feeling guilty about things left unsaid or undone, self-blame, questioning decisions made during the relationship, survivor’s guilt
- Anger and Irritability:
- Outbursts of anger or frustration, irritability and impatience with oneself or others, feeling a sense of injustice or unfairness.
- Spiritual and Existential Concerns:
- Questioning the meaning of life or one's purpose, struggling with existential concerns and the nature of loss, seeking comfort in spiritual or religious practices.
- Emotional Swings:
- Fluctuations between acceptance and deep sorrow, feeling overwhelmed by the intensity of emotions, unpredictable emotional reactions to different triggers.
- Identity Shifts:
- Reevaluating one's sense of self and identity, changes in life goals, values, or priorities, a sense of emptiness or a void in one's life.
- Difficulty Accepting Reality:
- Denial or disbelief about the permanence of the loss, struggling to come to terms with the reality of the situation, attempts to maintain a connection with the one you lost.
All of the above experiences are completely valid responses to grief and loss. Understanding these signs and symptoms can assist individuals in recognizing and navigating the complex emotions associated with grief. It's important to convey that everyone experiences grief uniquely, and seeking mental health support for your own personal experience is a valuable step in the healing process.
How we help with grief therapy:
- Express & Process Emotions: Allowing yourself to feel and express a range of emotions without judgment is a critical phase of healing - we walk alongside and guide you with this process.
- Grief Education: We provide comprehensive information and resources about the grieving process and help you understand and validate your personal experience of grief.
- Coping Strategies: Our therapists equip you with practical coping strategies to manage the emotional and physical manifestations of grief. These strategies may include mindfulness techniques, breathing exercises, and other tools to help you navigate challenging moments.
- Evidence Based Techniques: We utilize evidence-based cognitive-behavioral (CBT), mindfulness, emotion focused, and DBT techniques to address painful thoughts and behaviours associated with grief.
- Goal Setting and Future Planning: Grief can sometimes overshadow the future. Our therapists work with you to set realistic goals and plan for the future, helping you regain a sense of purpose and direction in your life.
- Holistic Approach: We take a holistic approach to healing, addressing not only the emotional but also the physical and spiritual aspects of grief. Our comprehensive approach aims to promote overall well-being during the recovery process.
- Flexible Sessions: Recognizing that everyone heals at their own pace, we offer flexible scheduling options to accommodate your needs. Whether you prefer weekly sessions or need more frequent support during challenging times, we tailor our services to fit your schedule.
- Ongoing Support: Grief is a process that unfolds over time. Our clinic provides ongoing mental health support, ensuring that you have access to the resources and assistance you need as you navigate through different phases of healing.
Our caring and compassionate team of therapists are here for you. Please do not hesitate to be in touch with any questions or to learn more about how we can support you, or someone you care about.
We're here to help
Our team specializes in providing counselling/therapy to career professionals & lawyers in Ontario & BC struggling with anxiety, stress, burnout, low mood/depression, perfectionism, imposter syndrome, ADHD, grief & loss, relationship & career challenges.