GRIEF and LOSS

About 2.5 million people die in the United States annually, each leaving an average of five grieving people behind. It’s estimated that 1.5 million children (5% of children in the United States) have lost one or both parents by age 15. Additionally, older adults tend to experience grief at a higher rate than younger adults or children due to spousal loss being a more common experience, along with the death of friends, siblings, and other people in their lives.

If you or someone you care about needs professional help or support to process feelings of loss and gain understanding around the experience of grief, reach out to the clinicians at CARE Counseling for support in the steps toward healing.

different types of grief

It’s important to know that everyone grieves in unique ways and it’s okay if your grief is different than those around you. At times you may even be unaware that you are grieving or that you’ve experienced a loss that deserves to be grieved.

Death & Dying | Chronic illness | Loss of an imagined life or future | Changing roles in the family | Loss of Stability and Security

Traumatic loss (Violent) | Sudden death/illness | Suicide | Accidental death | Catastrophic event

Physical loss/Psychologically present (divorce) | Loss considered less significant | Unrecognized relationships | Loss surrounding stigma | Psychological loss/Physical presence (dementia)

INDIVIDUAL THERAPY

In individual therapy the clinician will create a safe space for you to process your emotions and experience of loss. Individual therapy is appropriate for individuals of all ages, children, adolescents, adults and seniors.

COUPLE’S THERAPY

It is important for couples to be emotionally available to one another. Couple’s therapy helps couples stay connected during this time, by creating coping strategies, building communication  and finding ways to connect/reconnect intimately. It is important to grieve but also to take time together to be present and attend to life changes.

FAMILY THERAPY

Families experiencing loss can benefit from working with a family therapist to help them understand the impact of their loss and how to work toward maintaining their relationships as they are healing.

GROUP THERAPY

Care Counseling is currently running a grief skills and support group for young adults ages 18 – 29 who have experienced the loss of a loved one or friend.

Additional groups may be added in the future such as:

  • A spousal loss (widow/widowers) group
  • A group for individuals who have suffered traumatic loss
  • A group for individuals who have suffered perinatal loss

Myths associated with grief

click on the plus sign to reveal the “truth”

In fact grief often ebbs and flows and is unique to each person.

In fact moving through grief and building a grief narrative that includes meaning making is the goal

In fact while many symptoms exist in both grief and depression, grievers remain hopeful

In fact grief is not timed but it does change over time

In fact grief is painful and there is no time limit

In fact there is no right or wrong way to grieve

In fact both men and women tend to go through similar phases however, they may express their emotions differently

In fact any significant loss can be difficult, painful, and disruptive

Common Symptoms

Crying

Sleep pattern changes (e.g. difficulty sleeping, too little/too much sleep)

Feeling apathetic about the day’s necessary tasks or life in general

Changes in appetite

Withdrawing from normal/usual social interactions and relationships

Difficulty concentrating

Questioning Spiritual or Religious beliefs

Feelings of anger, guilt, loneliness, depression, emptiness, sadness

Complex Symptoms

Intense focus on reminders of the deceased, or excessive avoidance

Intense feelings of sadness, pain, detachment, sorrow, hopelessness, emptiness, low self-esteem, bitterness, longing for the deceased’s presence

Difficulty accepting the reality of the death

Self- destructive behavior (e.g. drug or alcohol abuse)

Suicidal thoughts or actions

Recurrent distressing dreams or nightmares involving the deceased

Coping with Accidental

Coping with Accidental or Violent Substance Use-Related Death

Drinking and driving while intoxicated and ending in loss of limbs, body movement, or life…
Suicide Awareness

It’s alarming that not even half of those who die by suicide have sought treatment for mental illness.

It’s alarming that not even half of those who die by suicide have sought treatment for mental illness.
Help! My Life Feels Empty!

Help, My Life Feels Empty!

Does your life feel like it is dull, and boring, with nothing to look forward to?
Feeling Connected During Times of Physical Separation

Feeling Connected During Times of Physical Separation

It can be hard to feel like you are still connected when physically separated from loved ones. Finding ways to feel connected even during physical distance can help aid in coping.
Autophobia

Autophobia: The Fear of Being Alone

Autophobia = fear of being alone. Autophobia is not recognized as an official diagnosis but falls within the category of a situational phobia, triggered by the fear of being alone or being lonely.
Supporting Families Impacted by Stress and Trauma

Supporting Families Impacted by Stress and Trauma

When children experience a traumatic event, the entire family is affected. Often, family members have different experiences and emotional responses to the traumatic event.
Types of Thoughts that Indicate Therapy Would be Beneficial

Types of Thoughts that Indicate Therapy Would be Beneficial

Intrusive thoughts can be described as unwanted thoughts that seem to come out of nowhere and are distressing. They may be connected to a real-life event such as a flashback after a traumatic event.
7 Types of Triggers and 7 Coping Strategies

7 Types of Triggers and 7 Coping Strategies

Sensory triggers in the environment can be very distracting and trigger sensory overload such as feeling overwhelmed, meltdowns, or shutting down.
Suicide Awareness and Remembering Stephen tWitch Boss

Suicide Awareness and remembering Stephen tWitch Boss

Grief and loss are impacting so many individuals who are seeking therapy right now. Loved ones are dying and we have so many people struggling with their mental health.
Different Types of Grief and Loss Models

Different Types of Grief and Loss Models

There are many different types-of-grief and loss. Some may have already occurred such as an event that has resulted in the loss of someone or something. Examples include the death of a person or pet and loss of body functions. Some losses are connected to the self, such as loss of identity or mobility.
Grief and Loss during the holiday season

Grief and Loss During the Holiday Season

Loss in general is not easy but particularly if you are grieving during the holiday season. If you had a choice of losing something or gaining something, I agree that most people would choose the second option.
The Journey of Grief and Loss

The Journey of Grief and Loss

The topic of grief-and-loss is painful, both emotionally, physically, and even spiritually. Grief is a universal human experience that we are all going to face at some point in our lives. Having community supports in place can be a powerful part of the healing process.
Why See a Therapist Over the Holidays?

Why See a Therapist Over the Holidays?

Here are 7 Reasons Why You Should See a Therapist Over the Holidays.
Be the 1 to

#BeThe1To: Help Them Connect

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. One of the ways in which we can all work together to help prevent suicide is to get connected.
Healing from Collective, Historical, and Inter-generational Traumas

Healing from Collective, Historical, and Inter-generational Traumas

Seeking out the voices from individuals who research, work with, and live in marginalized, and underserved communities helps provide a model for healing from trauma that is more representative to needs of those who are impacted by collective, historical, and/or inter-generational trauma.
Post-Partum

Peripartum Depression

A new baby brings a lot of change. While change can be fun and exciting, it can also feel overwhelming. Arrival of a baby can trigger feelings of doubt as a parent and fear of being able to provide for the baby’s needs.
I'm Good

High Functioning Depression “I’m Good”

“How are you doing?” “Fine” “I’ve noticed a change recently.” “I’m good”. This is a rather typical response from those who seem to be functioning just fine. They go to work or school consistently, join in on social outing and appear to be successful in their accomplishments. They may use things like exercise, hobbies, substance use, or sex to cope.
How to Talk to your Kids About School Violence

How to Talk to your Kids About School Violence

Social media rumors, including “challenges” that encourage acts of defiance or violence, and the fear of school shootings recently had children, parents, and law enforcement supports on high-alert in response to a tiktok-school-threat warning. This warning was dismissed as not credible; however, many still feeling emotionally unsettled. Depression, anxiety, and responses such as fear impact can result from school violence and impact mental health. In 2021 alone, it was estimated that there were 149 incidents of gunfire-on-school-grounds, 32 deaths, and 94 injuries nationwide.

Celebrating the Holidays and Giving Thanks with Friends

While the holiday season is often known for its cultural significance of tradition with family and creating fun memories, it can also be a painful reminder of trauma, grief/ loss, and overall family dysfunction. Even if you consider yourself to be lucky to have grown up in an “intact” family or “loving” household, celebrating with family can be stressful.
Letter

Writing a Letter to Your Younger Self

Letter writing is a powerful modality. Some of my most treasured memories have been hand-written letters from loved ones. Even though the writer may no longer be physically present after death, their words of wisdom are alive in their writings.

Gratitude Practice: What It Is and Why It Works

Journaling, reflective-thinking, letter-writing, and gratitude visits are some of the strategies that are utilized within developing a gratitude practice. Simply naming three things that you are grateful for is not enough.
Gratitude Journaling

Gratitude Journaling

Gratitude journaling is a great practice that can be utilized as part of developing a daily gratitude practice.

Managing Memories and Trauma

Safety and stabilization are a core component of trauma-related work. For individuals who have experienced trauma, memories may present as intrusive-- showing up, repeatedly and without notice as a reminder to traumatic event (s).

Trauma Awareness and Treatment Options

The American Psychological Association (APA) defines trauma as a “an emotional response” to a terrible event like an accident, rape or natural disaster. You may have directly experienced a terrible event, learned about a terrible event happening to a close friend/ family member, or had a frightening experience in which there was actual or threatened death, injury, or violence.