What type of counseling is needed when a person cannot get over the grief of losing a loved one?
Grief and loss counseling helps people grieve difficult losses including the death of a loved one, the loss of a job, or the end of a relationship. It helps people navigate their grief process and eventually accept, understand, and move forward from their loss. Theriveworks grief therapists in Fredericksburg, VA have specific experience, training, and skills that enable them to best support grieving individuals.
How does grief and loss counseling work?
Grief and loss counseling isn't one-size-fits-all, but it involves sharing about your loss and then working with your counselor to acknowledge and accept your new reality in its wake. Your Thriveworks provider at Thriveworks in Fredericksburg, VA will design your treatment plan around your unique needs and goals for therapy, applying the counseling techniques that best support them.
Signs I should seek grief counseling
If you have recently experienced an event like the death of a loved one, a breakup or divorce, the loss of a job, or another major life change, then you may want to seek grief and loss counseling. Grief can be caused by many experiences and events, so if you feel that you are having trouble moving on from a certain event or find that it is still impacting your life and functioning, grief and loss counseling can help you process it more effectively so that you can move on and once again find fulfillment and satisfaction in your life.
What counseling theory is best for grief?
There are many counseling theories for treating grief, one of the most frequently used being the dual process model of grief which helps people acknowledge who or what they've lost through rumination while also adjusting to the new roles and identities that this loss has now placed on them. There are also many commonly used therapy approaches used in grief and loss counseling, including Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and traumatic grief therapy.
Is grief counseling conducted in person or online?
Grief & loss counseling at Thriveworks is conducted both in person and online by video. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you.
How long does grief counseling last?
For many, grief and loss counseling lasts for about 6 months. For others, it may last shorter or longer, depending on the severity of their loss and their grief.
Need more help deciding?
It is a popular misconception that you have to be in great distress to enter counseling. The truth about counseling is that you don’t have to be in distress to seek support. Some people initiate counseling early on in their grief process because they want a little extra support as they grieve. Others seek out grief counseling when they are struggling. Still others are coping well but want to talk about their lost loved ones in a safe and private setting.
One of the things that often stops people from seeking counseling is knowing what to expect. Will it be embarrassing? Will the counselor judge me? What if I cry? Knowing what to expect in counseling can take some of the fear away and help you to decide if it’s right for you.
What to Expect in Grief Counseling
Your grief counselor’s role is to help you move through your grief and develop skills to cope with the loss. The specific goals of counseling will depend on your needs.
Grief counseling can be provided one-to-one or in a group setting. Some people prefer the one-to-one interaction. Other people prefer the support and interaction that groups can provide. Again, that decision will be one to make with your counselor.
Once you choose your counseling setting, there are some things you can expect:
- Expect that you will be asked about your loss and your relationship with your loved one.
- Expect that you will be asked about your life after the loss and help you identify problem areas to work on in counseling.
- Expect that sharing your experience may bring up strong and possibly painful emotions. This is an uncomfortable but necessary part of the process. Your counselor knows how to support you in that process.
- Expect that you may be highly emotional, irritated or angry. You may cry. You may yell. It’s ok. Your counselor knows that can happen and is prepared to support you.
- Expect that you may not feel “better” right away. Some days it may feel like counseling isn’t helping. Working through emotional issues takes time and progress isn’t a straight line. The important thing is to keep your counselor advised of what you’re experiencing. The old saying, “Trust the process” really does apply here.
- Expect that you will heal from your loss. You will find a fulfilling life after your loss and be able to find strength and comfort in your memories.
At Fredericksburg, VA Grief Counseling, our counselors understand how difficult asking for help can be. They have the training and experience to help you through your grief and towards a place of healing and peace.
You don’t have to struggle alone. Fredericksburg, VA Grief Counseling can help. Call us today at 540-322-5424 to schedule your confidential appointment.
