Therapy for Loss and Grief

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Is there something wrong with me?

The emotion of grief can change everything.  The loss of someone important to you can leave you feeling heartbroken, numb, angry, lost, confused, or disconnected from the life you once knew. Some days you may find yourself overwhelmed with all the emotions and other days you may not feel anything at all. You may wonder why you are still struggling when others around you seem to have “moved on” from the loss. You are probably worrying that there might be something wrong with you.

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Grief and loss can be complicated to navigate because there is no right or wrong way to grieve. Grieving also does not happen in a linear process and doesn’t have a “finish line” to get to. Grief can introduce many emotions that often times seem odd or “not normal". The sadness, fear, pain, and anger are feelings most people experience but we can also feel other emotions such as: irritability, loneliness, the inability to focus, guilt, anger directed at the person who was lost, or purposelessness. One can even notice positive emotions which are often not talked about, like laughter, a sense of relief, peace or motivation, a sense of wanting to give back to the community. All these emotional reactions are “normal” and should not be seen as defective or wrong.

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Different situations that can cause grief.

It’s important to realize that grief can show up around the loss of many things, not just the death of a loved one. Grief is a very common emotion to feel after experiencing difficult life events such as the loss of a home or a job, the loss of a friendship or romantic partnership.  Some people feel great loss when a significant life event forever changes their plans for the future, like the loss of one’s health or a dream they once hoped for.

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How can therapy help me feel better?

You do not need to navigate this pain by yourself.  I am here to offer a nonjudgemental space where you can talk openly about your loss and its impact on your life.  Therapy cannot erase your loss.  The goal of our time together isn’t to forget or ‘get over’ the person or thing you have lost. Instead, I hope to help you honor not just your loss, but the emotions and the places you have lived through. I also want to start from the place where you currently are. Accelerated Resolution Therapy can help you focus on the positive moments from that part of your life and change the negative, hurtful parts that your brain tends to hold on to.  When you recall your loss, you will instead feel more understanding and clarity leading to the peace and joy you are searching for.