In the midst of tragedy — or an event that causes great suffering and distress — parents have the difficult job of talking to their children about it. While the topic should often be avoided with kids under 7 years of age who are too young to understand tragedy, it…
Because children grieve differently from adults, they can benefit from bereavement support tailored to their specific needs. Grief camps for kids help children process grief and loss through group and one-on-one counseling, yes, but also through play and art. You can observe the power of children’s grief camps in the…
Divorce presents one of the toughest emotional challenges a child can face. The grieving process isn’t linear and although divorce is common, every child will cope with it in their own way and time. Parents need to provide stability and comfort during and after the divorce process. Being supportive and…
People don’t sever family relationships casually; it’s usually a long, painful process of recognition and internal struggle. Family estrangement is often caused by the negative behavior patterns of toxic parents, which can include manipulation and mockery. The decision to cut off toxic parents is a heavy burden, and it brings…
Sometimes, we are so invested in our favorite sports teams that we experience symptoms of depression when they lose a big game or when the season comes to a close. These symptoms can cause serious harm, but the good news is that there are effective techniques for recovering from sports…
Chronic illness starts with physical pain but the roller coaster of emotions that accompanies it (or any serious illness) is a journey all its own. Onset, diagnosis, and beyond are often wrought with frustration, fear, anxiety, and grief — with positive emotions like hope and relief sprinkled in. When you’re…
In some cases, victims of loss aren’t overwhelmed with difficult emotions but feel emotionally numb instead. This is a normal reaction, which typically occurs when someone loses someone or something suddenly and unexpectedly. Still, it’s important for these individuals to make sure they grieve well, which involves understanding and processing…
Hindsight is 2021–has everyone made that joke already?–and so we offer an illuminating review of your favorite Thriveworks content of the past year. Our readers grappled with some dark feelings in 2021, but they also searched for ways to be kinder to themselves. The Thriveworks blog has covered everything from…
When you lose someone close to you, that grief never fully goes away—but you do learn to cope with it over time. Several effective coping techniques include talking with loved ones about your pain, remembering all of the good in your life, engaging in your favorite activities, and consulting with…
They say that when you grieve, you deny the reality of the situation. This isn’t happening, this can’t be happening. You also feel extremely angry. You direct this anger at your loved ones, maybe even the person you’ve lost. How could you do this to me? How could you leave…
Click here to schedule online counseling at Thriveworks. Hi, I’m Greg Handel, I’m a psychologist at both Thriveworks Franklin and Thriveworks Amherst in Massachusetts. And the question that I have is, “How long does it take to grieve the loss of a loved one?” And this is a question I…
Despite the popular notion that humor is inappropriate during difficult times, humor and laughter can actually help us cope with tough losses. Looking for the humor and turning to laughter enables us to put the loss or the moment into perspective. If you’re grieving the loss of a loved one,…