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What to Expect in Grief Counseling

Grief counseling, often referred to as bereavement counseling, is a short-term process aimed at helping people deal with and recover from the loss of a loved one. There are four things you an expect during and after grief counseling. These four components are designed to help you come to terms with your loss and move on with your life.

  1. The Grieving Process

    • Grief goes through different stages, and someone who experiences grief needs to understand those stages, how they work, what happens during those stages and how to move from one stage to the next. In grief counseling, you will learn about these stages and what is considered the normal grieving process as well as what is abnormal. You will learn what feelings and thoughts are normal at each stage and how to deal with them. You also will learn to recognize when abnormal symptoms of grief signal a more serious mental health issue, such as depression.

    Expressing Feelings

    • One of the most important aspects of the grief counseling process is learning to express your feelings. This can pose one of the toughest challenges. Sometimes you may not know what to say. Counselors can use a variety of methods to help you learn to express your feelings. These methods include visiting the grave site of the deceased loved one, writing letters to the deceased, or even speaking to the person as if he were with you.

    Develop a New Relationship

    • The next step is to redefine and build a new relationship with the lost loved one. This part of the process is usually focused on memories that can linger for years after the loss of someone close. You will learn to incorporate memories into the present and enjoy the moments you spent with your loved one, rather than view them with sadness.

    Move on With Life

    • While you will never forget your loved one, grief counseling will help you move on with life through the development of a new identity not directly tied to the person. For example, you might change your lifestyle patterns and get involved in charity work.

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