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…
The focus of counseling often varies; however, commonly discussed issues among older adults include the loss of loved ones, health issues, and identity crises. Many of these individuals have lost a spouse, are facing severe physical or mental health issues, or are missing fulfillment and enjoyment in life. Older adults…
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,…
On Monday, April 15, the Notre Dame Cathedral—a staple of Paris—caught fire and collapsed, leaving many to grapple with difficult feelings that come with grief and loss. While some think of grief as a consequence of death, the reality is that we can experience grief after losing anything of importance….
Resilience is how well you’re able to adapt: an individual with a lot of resilience can adapt well in the face of struggle, while someone with little or no resilience cannot. A resilient mindset is important as it helps you bounce back from difficult losses and maintain positivity even when…
There are many different types of loss and a plethora of different reactions to loss; loss might mean a loved one’s death, divorce, or moving, while common reactions to loss include depressive or anxious feelings. The way we react to such a loss has much to do with two systems:…
The loss of a loved one to suicide can hurt on a deeper level, often because of all the questions left unanswered. This type of loss can leave one feeling overwhelmed with guilt, wondering what they could have done differently and questioning everything they know to be true. While this…
While the two often blur together, there is a difference between grief and depression. Technically speaking, bereavement (loss and grief) can last for up to 6 months before it turns into a diagnoseable depression. That being said, the grieving process does oftentimes last longer than 6 months—still, you should watch…
Losing a loved one is dreadfully painful, but there is a flip side to every coin. In this case: there is much to learn from those tough losses. First, it can change the way you live your very life—it might dawn on you that you should live happier, or kinder,…
Losing a loved one is nothing short of devastating, but there is a lot of good to focus on during this time, which can help you come to terms with the loss. First, take this opportunity to learn a greater compassion for others (and thyself)—recognize their struggles, and also observe…
When a pet dies, it is a loss that feels just as big and real as losing a friend or family member-sometimes it is bigger and more real. Pets and animals give us a type of love that humans usually don’t. When a dog follows us around, and waits on…
