Grief and Loss
Have others told you you should have moved on by now? Maybe you can’t stop thinking about the loved one or relationship you’ve lost. You may be overwhelmed by feelings of sadness or loneliness and don’t know how to move on. Perhaps you wonder if you’ll ever feel like yourself again.
Learning to live without a loved one is a difficult transition. Grief is a natural response to loss. Most people have natural ways of coping or adapting to loss in their own way. Sometimes, though, grief stays intense and gets in the way of daily life. Grief counseling in Fairfield, CT, or online, can help you adapt and find relief from the painful emotions of loss.
Grief Counseling
Grief counseling can help you integrate your loss so that you can find peace and learn to move forward. I’m trained in Complicated Grief Therapy, now called Prolonged Grief Therapy, through the Center for Prolonged Grief (formerly the Center for Complicated Grief) at Columbia University. Together, we can work on the overwhelming feelings of loss that stand in the way of living the life you want. It may feel impossible now, but you can find peace and continue to love the person you lost in a new way, honoring their memory as you move forward.
My approach to grief counseling is non-judgmental, compassionate, and supportive. It comes from a place of hope and the belief that you can move forward and see a future with possibility, purpose, and meaning.
What is Grief Counseling?
Grief counseling, also known as bereavement counseling, is a type of therapy designed to help individuals cope with the emotional, physical, and psychological reactions to loss. It provides a space to explore your feelings and develop strategies to manage your grief in a healthy way. Through this process, you can gain a better understanding of your grief and find ways to adjust to life without your loved one.
How Meeting a Therapist Can Help You
Meeting with a therapist can provide the support and guidance needed during such a challenging time. A therapist can help you:
Validate your feelings and experiences without judgment
Develop coping strategies to manage intense emotions
Work through your grief at your own pace
Address any feelings of guilt, anger, or confusion
Find new ways to honor and remember your loved one
What are the Benefits of Grief Counseling?
Grief counseling offers numerous benefits, including:
Emotional support: Providing a space to express your feelings and experiences
Improved coping skills: Learning effective strategies to manage grief and related emotions
Personal growth: Gaining insights into yourself and your relationships
Reduced isolation: Feeling less alone in your grief journey
Well-being: Moving toward acceptance and peace
FAQ
Q: Do I need therapy or counseling? Doesn’t everyone experience grief?
A: Yes, everyone experiences grief in some way at various points in our lives. Grief is the natural response to loss. Grief evolves and changes as a person adapts to their loss. Many people do this effectively and in their own way with the support of friends and relatives. Not everyone will want or need counseling to adapt to loss. However, many people find it useful to have additional support in navigating the transition in their life even though it is a common process. Others find that intense grief keeps them stuck. You may be preoccupied by thoughts and memories, or feel constant longing and sadness. If grief is making it hard to function, grief counseling can help you find your way through it, and toward purpose and joy again.
Q: What are Grief Counseling sessions like?
A: Sessions are 45–50 minutes, in person at my Fairfield office or online by secure video. We will work collaboratively to achieve your goals for living the life you want.
Q: How long do I need to be in therapy?
A: This varies based on what you are trying to achieve. Prolonged Grief Therapy is typically about 16 sessions. Many people who are looking for support in navigating their uncomplicated grief might find relief sooner, while others may wish to work on additional goals and may take longer.
If you are in crisis or having thoughts of suicide, please call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24 hours a day.
If you are in immediate danger, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.