Understanding Grief

Grief is a natural, human response to loss. Whether it’s the death of someone close, the end of a significant relationship, or even a major life change like moving or losing a job, grief can appear in many forms. It’s not something we simply “get over”—it’s something we gradually learn to live with, and over time, it becomes more manageable.

Grief doesn’t follow a clear or predictable path. Some days may feel more manageable than others, and sometimes the pain resurfaces when you least expect it. You might feel numb, angry, lost, uncertain, or even relieved. These responses are normal, and healing doesn’t mean forcing yourself to feel better immediately. It’s about allowing yourself to process your emotions and slowly find ways to carry your grief in a way that no longer feels so heavy.

Signs and Symptoms

Grief can look different for everyone, but some common signs to look for include:

• Deep sadness or emotional pain

• Feeling disconnected or numb

• Difficulty concentrating or focusing

• Trouble sleeping, or sleeping too much

• Loss of appetite or overeating

• A sense of being "stuck" or unable to move forward

• Irritability, anger, or frustration

• Guilt, regret, or self-blame

• Loss of interest in things you once enjoyed

• A feeling of emptiness, even when around others

These are all natural responses to loss. They don't mean something is wrong with you; they’re simply part of the process. Therapy can help you understand these emotions and find ways to cope.

Complicated (Traumatic) Grief

In some cases, grief can feel more intense or prolonged than usual. This is sometimes called complicated grief or traumatic grief, which can occur after a particularly shocking or traumatic loss. This type of grief often leads to feelings of being stuck, unable to accept the reality of the loss, or struggling with persistent, intrusive memories.

Signs of complicated grief include:

• Persistent disbelief or difficulty accepting the loss

• Intense yearning for the person who has passed, even long after the loss

• A sense of being unable to move on, as if a part of you is permanently missing

• Overwhelming guilt or regret, especially if there were unresolved issues

• Difficulty finding meaning in life after the loss

• Intrusive thoughts or memories that are difficult to shake

Complicated grief can interfere with your ability to function and can lead to other issues like depression or anxiety. Therapy can help you process the trauma and begin to heal in a way that allows you to reconnect with life.

How Therapy Can Help

Grief can feel overwhelming, but therapy provides a place to explore and express your emotions, helping you process the complexities of loss. Here’s how therapy can support your healing:

• Allow time for your grief: Therapy offers the opportunity to express your grief without pressure to “move on.” You can explore your loss and the emotions surrounding it, gradually finding a path toward healing.

• Make sense of your emotions: Grief can stir up unexpected feelings. Therapy can help you understand why certain feelings arise and guide you in working through them.

• Learn to live with grief: While grief may not fully go away, therapy can help you find ways to carry it without it overwhelming you.

• Find new hope: The pain of loss may never fully fade, but therapy can help you build new pathways to reconnect with life, find meaning, and gradually move forward.

• Address complicated emotions: Grief is often accompanied by other emotions like guilt, anger, or confusion. Therapy can help untangle these feelings and provide clarity on how to move past them.

Therapeutic approaches like CBT, ACT, or psychodynamic therapy can help you navigate grief at your own pace, offering both emotional support and practical tools to manage it. Trauma processing modalities like EMDR Therapy or DBR can help to resolve the traumatic elements of complicated grief.

Your Path to Healing

Grief is a journey, and it’s one of the most painful things we can experience. There will be times when it feels like the pain won’t end, and other times when it’s more manageable. Healing doesn’t mean forgetting or moving on—it means finding a way to integrate grief into your life, in a way that allows you to continue living fully.

There is no right or wrong way to grieve. Your process will unfold in its own time, and together, we can explore ways to move forward that feel authentic and healthy for you. Over time, the weight of your grief can become less overwhelming, and you’ll find a new sense of peace and connection.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

If you’re ready to start processing your grief, or if you just want to talk more about what you're experiencing, I’m here to help. Feel free to reach out with any questions or to schedule a consultation. You don’t need to go through this alone.