Grief, Loss, and Bereavement

Expressions of Grief

Ellen* noticed that since her last child left for college, she feels short-tempered and continually fights with her husband over silly little things.

Tyler’s* boss fired him last month, but he is too ashamed to tell his wife, so he gets dressed and leaves the house every day. He drives around, ending up at the park or the grocery without realizing how he got there. Everything is foggy and oh so heavy.

Mary’s* daughter died, and every day she wakes up hoping it was all a horrible nightmare, and her heart breaks all over as she tries to wrap her head around this giant hole inside her – the pain is intense. Her husband seems to be “getting on with things,” but she can’t. Even the thought of taking a shower is overwhelming. She feels exhausted, broken, and stuck.

What do Ellen, Tyler, and Mary have in common? Grief: short temper, anger, frustration, feeling out of sorts, brain fog, dissociation, difficulty concentrating or making decisions, sleeping too much or not at all, and digestive complaints.

Grief Is a Thief – Robbing You of Joy.

“Bereavement” comes from an old English word meaning “rob.”

What have you lost from being robbed? Was it the one you love the best, your health, or your dreams of a happy life?

If You’re Breathing, You’re Grieving

Whether it is a death, divorce, illness, or another type of loss, such as a job, a pet, friendship, respect, reputation, self-image, health, family relationships, and other life changes, we are grieving something.

Often, we don’t realize that loss is cumulative and that each new grief adds to the previous ones that have been left unresolved.

Everyone says, “Oh wow, you are so strong; I don’t know how you are coping.”

And you think to yourself, “Yeah, I don’t know either,” and then find yourself sobbing along to a movie on the Hallmark channel, alone in the dark at 2 am.

Your Grief Needs a Place to Go – Bring It to Me.

Come to me and be heard, understood, and honored. Together, we will create a safe and nonjudgmental space for you to take out and examine the losses you’ve experienced. We will explore your thoughts, feelings, and coping strategies around loss and determine how you would like to move forward.

We will process whatever is coming up for you in your own time and at your own pace as we slowly incorporate your losses into shaping your new normal. We will find ways to honor the relationship and opportunities for growth and renewal in the wake of your loss.

You don’t have to mourn alone. Everyone grieves differently, and there is no right way to move through grief. Let’s work together to figure out what that looks like for you. Call now, and let’s get you on a path to healing.

*Names changed to protect client confidentiality.