Grief & Loss
Grief Therapy: Navigating the Pain of Loss
Grief can feel like an overwhelming wave that hits you when you least expect it. It may feel like a constant ache, a heaviness you can’t shake off. The sadness might come in waves, sometimes triggered by a memory, a place, or an event. You may feel disconnected from others, like no one really understands what you’re going through. You might also experience physical symptoms like fatigue, headaches, or difficulty sleeping. The process of grieving can feel isolating, and even though the world continues on, you might feel stuck, unsure of how to move forward.
Complicated Grief: When Healing Feels Stagnant
For some, grief doesn’t follow a typical path. You may find yourself stuck in a cycle of sadness, anger, or confusion that doesn’t seem to ease over time. This is known as complicated grief. It’s when the pain of loss feels never-ending and doesn’t seem to improve, leaving you feeling like you’re trapped in your emotions. You might struggle with accepting the reality of your loss or feel as if you can’t move forward. If grief lingers or becomes all-consuming, it may feel like a deep, unending ache that prevents you from fully participating in life.
Traumatic Grief: When Loss Overwhelms
In some cases, grief is compounded by trauma. This can happen when the death or loss occurs suddenly, violently, or under circumstances that leave you feeling helpless, shocked, or unsafe. Traumatic grief can leave you feeling disoriented, anxious, or even numb. It may be difficult to make sense of the loss or to feel any sense of closure. The trauma associated with the loss can complicate the grieving process, leaving you stuck in a state of emotional turmoil.
Ambiguous and Disenfranchised Grief: When the Loss is Unclear or Unacknowledged
Grief doesn’t always come from a clear-cut loss, and sometimes, the grief you experience may not be fully recognized or validated by others. Ambiguous grief arises when you’re grieving a loss that’s unclear or ongoing—like caring for a loved one with a terminal illness or watching someone’s mental health decline. You may mourn the person they once were but not the person they’ve become, leaving you with a sense of loss that’s hard to define. Disenfranchised grief occurs when society doesn’t fully acknowledge the loss you’re experiencing, such as the death of a pet, the end of a friendship, or the loss of a nontraditional relationship. These grief experiences can be especially difficult because they leave you feeling unsupported and misunderstood.
How We Can Help: Moving Through Grief and Finding Healing
Grief is a natural part of life, but that doesn’t make it easy. It’s a process that requires time, patience, and support. At Nest Counseling, we help you work through the tasks of grieving—accepting the reality of your loss, processing the pain, adjusting to life without the person or thing you’ve lost, and finding ways to remember and honor them in healthy ways. Our therapy offers a safe and compassionate space to explore your feelings, process your grief, and work through the complex emotions associated with loss. We help you create a path forward, where healing is possible, and you can find a renewed sense of peace, connection, and meaning in your life. Through our support, many clients experience a decrease in overwhelming sadness, an increased ability to cope with the emotional rollercoaster of grief, and a gradual return to life, even as they carry their loved one in their heart. You don’t have to navigate this journey alone—let us walk with you every step of the way.