Has A Significant Loss Upended Your World?
Some days, does life feel unbearable without your loved one there?
Do you feel like you have to reimagine your whole identity now that they’re gone?
Has the grieving process left you feeling shattered, empty, fearful, and confused?
Maybe you feel like you’re living in an alternate reality—everyone else seems to have recovered from the loss, but you’re still deeply connected to it. The memory of your loved one lingers over everything you do and follows you everywhere you go. You might suffer from mood swings, constant crying, and feelings of guilt, fear, and confusion. Your loss may also mean a sudden list of new responsibilities, as you find yourself taking over all the roles your loved one fulfilled. For the first time, you may be thinking of seeing a grief therapist.
When You’re Grieving, It’s Easy To Feel Like You’re A Burden To Other People
Grief is not a linear process—you might find yourself grieving long after your loved one has passed. But since other people seem to have moved on, you may be hesitant to share your feelings with them. Perhaps you’re worried that you’ll just burden them with your grief. As a result, you may end up keeping your feelings to yourself and isolating from friends and family.
Yet the more you keep your grief inside, the more it hurts.
You deserve someone who will listen to you, bear witness to your pain, and hold a space where you can grieve unreservedly. That’s what therapy at Sarah Moore’s counseling practice offers. Whether you’re mourning the loss of a parent, sibling, spouse, child, friend, or pet, we’re confident that our compassionate approach to counseling can help you navigate the ups and downs of grief.
We All Grieve In Our Own Unique Way
Grief is unpredictable. It’s something you have to take hour by hour, day by day. Sometimes you may feel flooded with happy memories of your loved one—other times, you may feel shattered by the pain of your loss. It’s important to be kind to yourself as you’re mourning, since there is no set-in-stone way to handle the grieving process. Some people may experience the same loss yet react to it in wildly different ways.
What’s more, losing a loved one can be shocking no matter when or how it happens. For those of us who are adult children, we like to think that we’ve been gradually preparing ourselves for when our parents will pass. But when we lose them, it can still feel like a sudden, earth-shattering shock. It can make us question if we will ever be loved or enjoy as much stability as we did when our parents were alive.
In Our Career-Obsessed Area, Leaning On Others For Support Doesn’t Come Naturally
Because of the heavy emphasis on work in our area, most of our friends are work colleagues. We invest so much into our careers that our personal lives often take a backseat. Yet when personal losses happen, sometimes we need support that our work colleagues can’t provide.
Additionally, our workaholic culture teaches us that independence is king and strength is found in pulling yourself up by the bootstraps. The problem is that we aren’t meant to grieve on our own. We are social creatures—we heal in the presence of others. Losing a loved one is a momentous life change and we all need the validation, companionship, and emotional support of people who truly understand us.
Counseling Can Help You Release The Weight Of Your Grief And Find Meaning In The Face Of Loss
First and foremost, we are deeply sorry for your loss. Nothing in life is harder than losing a loved one. We are here to sit with you, support you unconditionally, and guide you as you reflect on your loss. In counseling, you can express the full range of your emotions—shock, sadness, confusion, emptiness, fear, and guilt—with no reservations. You don’t have to worry about being a burden. Our grief therapists will hold space for you to grieve in your own unique way and at your own unique pace.
What’s more, there is no pressure to “get over” your loss or “move on” from it. Our emphasis is on feeling rather than doing—we encourage you to sit with your emotions and work on getting to know them instead of trying to push them away. When you allow yourself to feel all your feelings and accept the natural course of your grief, it becomes easier to find a path forward.
What To Expect In Grief Counseling Sessions
Grief therapy varies from client to client. Since being witnessed in your grief is such a huge component of the healing process, our practice offers group therapy in addition to individual support. Sharing your struggles with other people in the midst of the bereavement process can be incredibly cathartic. It allows you to release the weight of your grief and recognize that you’re not alone.
In both individual and group sessions, we’ll help you reflect on your loved one and explore ways to honor their memory, such as cooking a recipe that they loved or creating a photobook about your relationship with them. We’ll also help you work through any mental health issues (anxiety, depression, etc.) that the grieving process has stirred up. Using techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, we’ll give you tools for overcoming your stuck points and approaching them in a way that plays to your strengths.
Although a lot of the work we do is centered around processing grief and loss, counseling can also be very practical. Our therapists can help you navigate logistical challenges like cleaning out your loved one’s house or working through family disagreements over wealth and inheritance. And if your loss has expanded your caregiving duties or left you with new financial challenges, therapy can focus on managing your responsibilities and reducing your overwhelm.
You May Have Some Concerns About Grief Counseling
I’m worried that I’ll be judged for my feelings.
It’s understandable that you feel this way—many people you encounter may offer glib remarks or quickly change the subject when it turns to grief. As therapists, we understand the full range of human emotions and the ways that grief can activate those emotions. We will normalize your feelings and help you understand that there is no right or wrong way to grieve.
I don’t know if therapy can actually help me.
The pain you’re feeling is very intense and probably unlike any pain you’ve ever felt. That said, many folks find comfort in having a third party walk with them through their grief. Therapy cannot magically erase your grief, but through the process of working through your feelings and finding ways to honor your loved one, you can experience a deep and abiding sense of peace.
I don’t think I have time for therapy.
We get it—you’re feeling overwhelmed right now. The thought of adding something else to your schedule can seem daunting. Thankfully, most of our clients find that therapy allows them to feel more in control of their schedules. It reduces the amount of time they spend trying to manage their mental health challenges and enables them to focus on what’s important.
Besides, although your time is important, we encourage you to remember how meaningful your relationship with your loved one was. You owe it to them—and to yourself—to reflect on their part in your story and build a life that reveres their memory.
We Are Here To Walk With You During This Season Of Loss
No one should have to wrestle with grief alone and there is no shame in seeking extra support. To connect with one of our grief therapists, you can call 703-261-4468 for a free phone consultation. You can also email us or fill out the website’s contact form.
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