Grief Counseling: How To Know When You Need Help
Each & every one of us will experience the loss of a loved one at some point in our lives. Often times, death occurs as the natural end to a long, full life. Other times death feels outrageous - occurring suddenly, tragically, or unfairly. Grief is a natural process that we experience when a loved one passes away, no matter the road that carried us there. We know that grief is a natural process, that it takes time, and that each one of us experiences grief uniquely. However, many of us experience questions and confusion related to our grief.
How long is “normal” to grieve? A few months, a year, or more? When will I feel like I’m finally able to “move on” with my life? Is that even possible? Has my grief moved into depression? Anxiety? Why do I feel so lonely? Will my anger ever go away? Is it normal to feel so numb? Why is it so hard to engage in daily activities? Will I ever be able to sleep through the night again? The confusion is widespread & the questions seem endless.
The truth is that often times we need support, an outside perspective, to help us sort out confusion and bring clarity to our questions. We need to feel like we’re not alone, that our emotions and our struggles are valid, and that there’s a way, somehow, to move forward. We need counseling. If you or a loved one are in need of support while journeying through grief, it would be our privilege to assist you!
Here are a few signs that you may benefit from grief counseling:
You feel stuck - No matter what you try, you just can’t seem to take the next step forward in your grieving process
You feel hopeless - You might feel down or depressed, uncertain that you will be able to lead an abundant life without the physical presence of your loved one
You find it challenging to engage in everyday activities - Are you having trouble with work or school? Do you avoid social activities? Errands? Appointments?
You experience physical problems - Loss of appetite, headaches, fatigue, stomach aches, panic, problems sleeping
You feel lonely - You feel isolated, alone, unsupported, or lost
You’re engaging in risky behaviors - Drinking excessively, abusing medications, using street drugs, gambling, or engaging in dangerous activities
If you resonate with 1 or more of the signs listed above, grief counseling can help! Are you interested in more information? Would you like to set up an appointment to see how grief counseling might benefit you? Fill out our contact form, send us an email at anna@resplendencecounseling.com, or call us at 616-541-5970. Our Grand Rapids, MI office is conveniently located off of I-96 in Cascade. Wherever you find yourself in the grieving process, it will be our privilege to support you.
For additional information on signs that you may need grief counseling, please visit Psychology Today
