How to Counsel the Grieving

Unless you're a religious adviser or grief counselor with grief management skills, providing counseling to someone who is grieving may feel a little overwhelming. Regardless of your relationship to the grief stricken person, extending your sympathy and letting them know you're their for them can go a long way to their recovery.

Things You'll Need

• Phone

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Instructions

• 1

  Visit or call. Even if you need to leave a phone message or a note on the door, knowing that you made an effort to support them during their grieving can make a difference. It also gives them the opportunity to come to you if they need consoling or counseling about their circumstances.

• 2

  Be a good listener and listen with an open heart. Let them tell you what they need from you. It can be difficult to provide grief counseling to a person who is emotionally distraught.

• 3

  Show physical support. Physical contact is an easy way to show you care. Give plenty of hugs, hold the griever's hand, rub their back and be a literal shoulder to cry on.

• 4

  Avoid cliche words of wisdom like, "You are strong enough to make it through," or "We know how you feel." Sometimes these words come off as heartless even when they are not intended to be. Your physical presence, willingness to listen and to give compassionate advice about how to move through the grieving process can help the person take the next step beyond their loss.