“Grief is not a disorder, a disease or a sign of weakness. It is an emotional, physical and spiritual necessity, the price you pay for love. The only cure for grief is to grieve” Dr. Earl A. Grollman
Grief is a natural response to loss and bereavement. Grief and loss can be incredibly difficult to navigate at any stage of life and can be devastating and isolating. Grief can manifest in strong emotions, including intense feelings of sadness, anger, anxiety, guilt, loneliness, emptiness and more. The symptoms of grief are sometimes mistaken for an anxiety or depression disorder, but after a loss, grief is what underpins these strong emotions. Every person grieves differently, and there is no ‘correct’ way to grieve. Different losses experienced at different times of our lives, affect us in different ways. Grief changes us and often shapes how we see ourselves and the world. We may find that initially our family and friends may be supportive of our loss, but after a while, we are encouraged to “get over it” or “move on”. Grief does not work like that. Grief is not linear. We do not nicely and neatly progress through set stages until we feel whole again.
Therefore, the aim of grief and loss counselling is not to eliminate grief, but rather to address the symptoms of grief and:
- Hold space for you to acknowledge, express and mourn your loss
- Provide emotional support as you navigate through the grieving process
- Support you to prioritise your self-care
- Support you to honour your loss in a way that brings you comfort and peace
- Support you to integrate your loss and support you to adapt to life without your loved one
Although we tend to think of grief and loss only in the context of bereavement, we experience many other significant losses over the lifespan that can be difficult and painful to navigate.
These include:
- Relationship breakdowns and divorce
- Chronic or terminal illness
- Infertility
- Estrangement from family
- Grown-up children leaving home (empty nest)
- Loss of safety/security
- Loss of independence/autonomy
- Loss of housing/belongings due to theft/fire/flood/natural disasters
This list is by no means exhaustive. The human experience involves multiple losses over the course of the lifespan. It is important to remember that seeking support for grief and loss is not a sign of weakness. By reaching out for support, you are taking an important step towards healing. Empathic Counselling is here to support you to navigate through this difficult time. With support and understanding, you will find a way forward.
You can book your appointment through the Booking page.