What Is Grief Counseling?

When we lose someone we love, whether it’s through the death of a loved one or the end of a relationship, the grieving process is difficult to deal with in order to heal and/or move on. Losing a loved one can mean loss through a death or a breakup in a relationship. When we lose the ability to be with that person that we have bonded with so intensely, we go through grief which is not the easiest thing to go through alone. That is why grief counselors are there providing a safe space and professional support to help guide individuals through the complexities of their grief and ultimately begin the healing process.

What Is Grief Counseling?

Grief Counselors

Grief counseling is also known as bereavement counseling, is designed to help individuals cope with the profound emotional impact of losing someone they loved. Professional grief counselors are equipped with the tools to help individuals cope with the loss of someone they loved. Although grief counselors are not able to take away the feeling of an individual’s grief, the tools that grief counselors are equipped with can help with the loss of someone.

A large part of grief counseling is talking with the suffering individual. When talking, the individual can express their emotions, thoughts, and feelings in a manner that they are able to identify ways to ease the process. It also can help reduce the time it takes a person to go through the grieving process. If a person is left feeling sad for too long and refuses to deal with the loss accordingly, it can cause harm to the person’s mental state. In turn, this could even lead to long periods of depression.

Who Experiences Grief?

Part of being human is forming strong connections with friends and family members. At some point or another, everyone will experience the loss of someone they have formed a strong bond with. It is also important to understand that everyone experiences and deals with grief in their own unique way. There is no one way that grieving occurs and not one solution to help cope with it. Therefore, grief counselors are there to help people find the best way to process and deal with the loss that they are experiencing.

How to Identify Someone Going Through The Grieving Process

When people go through the grieving process, they can experience changes in their mental and physical health which may be noticeable.

You can identify it if you or an individual is struggling to complete basic daily tasks and they tend to be very inactive. It is also identifiable if the person starts to socially withdraw from others. Changes in the relationship that they have with others are common as well.

People going through the grieving process also tend to experience strong feelings of guilt, sadness, or depression. You can also visibly see grief take physical shape with the change in a person’s eating habits, and if they have gained or lost a drastic amount of weight.

Recognizing these signs early can help encourage support, as the grieving process can be overwhelming without guidance.

What To Do if You or Someone You Know Is Battling With Grief?

The first step that anyone should take is to talk to the person about what they are going through. It’s important to remember that you do not have to feel embarrassed about needing help with something that is affecting your mental health. Asking for help is a stigma that is changing around the world. In fact, the worst thing you could do is to not ask for help.

If you see someone who may be experiencing grief, you can help them by giving them the opportunity and space to talk about their feelings and emotions. However, not everyone is equipped to help people going through grief like grief counselors are, as grief can be a complex process. Grief counselors are trained mental health professionals who specialize in helping individuals navigate the challenges of grieving the loss of a loved one.

There are many ways to get the help that you or a friend needs. With access to the internet, you can locate professional grief counselors near you. If you are unable to schedule an in-person appointment with a local counselor, there is also the option of phone calls or Zoom to connect with them. Additionally, joining a grief support group can provide further comfort as you’re not alone in your grief journey.

What Are the Unique Benefits of Grief Counseling?

Grief therapy and counseling provide additional advantages beyond emotional support, helping individuals move forward in healthy and meaningful ways:

• Understanding Emotions: Helps individuals navigate the complex range of emotions that come with loss.
• Preventing Complications: Reduces the risk of complicated grief by offering early support.
• Healthy Coping Tools: Teaches strategies to cope with the loss in a constructive way.
• Addressing Traumatic Grief: Specialized help for those experiencing traumatic grief from sudden or violent loss.
• Family Support: Strengthens communication and support among family members during grief.

The Stages of Grief

While everyone’s grief journey is unique, several stages are commonly identified in the grieving process. These stages are not linear and can vary in order or intensity:

1. Denial: Initially, individuals may have difficulty accepting the reality of the loss, often feeling numb or in shock.
2. Anger: As the loss becomes more real, feelings of frustration or anger may arise, sometimes directed at oneself, others, or even the deceased.
3. Bargaining: In this stage, individuals may try to make deals, wishing they could undo the loss or make it different.
4. Depression: Overwhelming sadness and despair set in, as the individual processes the deep emotional weight of the loss.
5. Acceptance: The final stage involves coming to terms with the loss and beginning to find peace with it, though the grief may still linger.

Remember, these stages are not experienced by everyone or in the same order. Grief is an individual journey that unfolds differently for each person.

Grief Counseling for Special Circumstances

In addition to the general grieving process, some individuals face unique challenges that require specialized grief counseling. For instance, individuals grieving the loss of a deceased person in a sudden or violent manner may experience traumatic grief, requiring a more focused therapeutic approach. Additionally, children often process grief differently, so grief counseling for children is tailored to help young individuals understand and express their emotions in a healthy way. Counselors also help families navigate grief collectively, ensuring support systems are strong for everyone involved.

Helpful Information: Grief: Coping with the loss of your loved one

Blue Sky Counseling Omaha – Mental Health Counseling

I, Carly Spring, M.S., LIMHP, LADC, CPC, offer my specialized expertise to assist in the healing process to anyone who may be experiencing and suffering from a vast spectrum of mental health issues. Such mental health issues include behavioral problems, anxiety, depression, grief, loss, trauma, addiction issues, and life transitions. I believe strongly in applying a holistic perspective addressing your whole person not just the bits and pieces of you. Contact us with any questions or to discuss gambling addiction services in Omaha today.