Join the grief counseling group.

What is Grief?

Grief is an emotion that is very common.  This emotion is often associated with a devastating loss, such as the death of a loved one. However, we might feel grief after the loss of nearly anything that we loved dearly, including our relationships, homes, jobs, or pets.

It is quite normal for us to feel emotion after losses such as these. Grief is a normal process that all of us will experience at some point in our lives. 

Grief Counseling

Grief counseling is also sometimes referred to as bereavement counseling. It is typically used to counsel and comfort individuals who are dealing with loss, usually the death of a loved one. This type of counseling can help some people adjust and cope with loss and the grief that comes with it.

Grief counseling is recommended for individuals who are having trouble grieving, or moving through the different stages of grief, after a loss. Generally, most people who seek grief counseling do so because their grief is

• interfering with their daily activities
• causing relationship problems
• making it hard to go on with their own lives
• causing intense guilt or depression
• making it difficult to eat

Why Do We Need Grief Counseling?

A healthy grieving process is completely normal and nothing to be ashamed of. Everyone grieves differently and some may find it harder than others to cope with loss and grief. Living with the pain of unresolved loss and grief is a terrible thing for the human psyche. It can cause feelings of guilt, along with feelings of depression.

Grief counseling can help make the grieving process easier. The purpose of grief counseling is not to forget a loss but work toward acceptance.   Individuals who are able to accept the loss of someone or something that they loved will typically find it much easier to move on and live happier lives themselves.

What Does a Grief Counselor Do?

The main goal of a grief counselor is to help people cope with grief. These professionals might work with all types of people experiencing all different types of loss. Some grief counselors might focus on counseling individuals that lost loved ones in specific ways, such as after a battle with cancer or during military service.

A counseling method known as "active listening" is one of the most common types used by grief counselors. During this type of counseling, a grief counselor will usually do more listening than talking. The counselor will encourage or allow the grieving person to talk about their feelings and emotions. Many times, individuals suffering from grief might only need to get their feelings out in the open in order to move forward with their lives. On the other hand, a grief counselor might also need to help their clients develop strategies and methods for coping with their loss.

Grief counselors will also watch their clients closely for signs of mental or emotional problems that are often associated with grief. This might include such things as anger, depression, or even suicidal thoughts.