Grief, Loss, & Transitions: Individuals

Healing Hearts and Minds After Loss

After a significant loss, our world has forever changed. Grief can impact us internally on many levels—emotionally, cognitively, spiritually, physically. We also find that there are external changes to cope with as well, such as relationships, roles, social status, and plans for the future.

My clients often report that they have received a lot of advice from well-meaning supporters, but they find that their own experience is completely, utterly unique. They come to see me because they want to sort out their own experience away from expectation or pressure. They need to grieve, but they also want to find a way to well-being too.

Grief responses are very diverse. For some people grief completely saps energy and interest in the world. Many people describe it as a “fog” similar to profound depression. They feel flattened emotionally and experience physical aches in addition to emotional pain. They may find that they can’t stop crying or they avoid crying fearing they will not be able to stop. Others experience intense energy following a loss. They may be unable to sleep and find themselves pacing, over-working, and desperate to stay busy. Many people find themselves ping-ponging between extremes.

Grief reactions can become problematic if we can’t find relief from an overly stuck or rigid state or an overly activated, chaotic, and anxious state. I find that most people know when they need help, they just have to make a step to getting there. If you are grieving or know someone who needs help, contact me and I would be more than happy to help decide if grief counseling can help.

When we grieve because of a change such as a move, loss of a job, or the end of a relationship, grief can be intense even though there has not been a physical death.

When there is significant loss, there are usually things we need to do, think about, and feel. A healthy mind approach to grief, loss, and transition honors all three of these needs and:

Offers support and compassion for processing grief on all levels.
Provides tools for coping with difficult states of mind that are often part of grieving.
Provides a non-judgmental place to process memories and feelings about the loss.
Helps clients find their own path to healing and well-being and balance the thinking, feeling, and doing aspects of grief resolution.