Grief & Loss
Finding your way through loss and toward healing
Understanding Grief & Loss
Grief is a natural response to loss – the deep sorrow, often mixed with other emotions, that we experience when something or someone important is taken from our lives. While we often associate grief with the death of a loved one, it can emerge from many types of losses: the end of a relationship, loss of health, career changes, moving away from home, or even the loss of hopes and expectations.
Grief is deeply personal and can affect every dimension of life – emotional, physical, cognitive, behavioral, social, and spiritual. There is no "right way" to grieve, and the process rarely follows a predictable timeline or pattern. However, when grief feels overwhelming or persists without change for extended periods, professional support can provide comfort and guidance on the path to healing.
The Universal Experience of Loss
Loss is an inevitable part of human experience, and grief is the natural response that helps us process and integrate these experiences into our lives. What many people don't realise is that grief can manifest in numerous ways beyond sadness:
- Emotional responses: sadness, anger, guilt, anxiety, relief, numbness
- Physical sensations: fatigue, achiness, sleep disturbances, appetite changes
- Cognitive effects: confusion, difficulty concentrating, preoccupation with the loss
- Behavioral changes: restlessness, social withdrawal, searching behaviors
- Spiritual questions: questioning meaning and purpose, changes in beliefs
Many factors can influence your grief experience:
- The nature of your relationship with what was lost
- The circumstances of the loss (sudden vs. anticipated, traumatic elements)
- Previous experiences with loss and your coping mechanisms
- Cultural and familial beliefs about grief and mourning
- Current life stressors and available support systems
While grief is universal, it can feel isolating when others don't understand or expect you to "move on" before you're ready. Therapy provides a space where your grief is acknowledged and respected, no matter what form it takes.
Signs You Might Benefit from Therapy
Consider seeking professional support if you experience these patterns:
Overwhelming Emotions
Feelings of grief that are intensely painful and don't seem to ease with time.
Persistent Avoidance
Avoiding reminders of the loss or unable to talk about what happened.
Complicated Circumstances
Loss that occurred under traumatic, sudden, or ambiguous circumstances.
Prolonged Functioning Issues
Ongoing difficulty meeting basic responsibilities or engaging in daily activities.
Persistent Guilt or Regret
Ruminating on what you could have done differently or blaming yourself.
Lack of Support
Feeling isolated or misunderstood by those around you during your grief.
There Is No Timeline for Grief
Grief doesn't follow a set schedule or pattern. Seeking help isn't a sign of weakness, but rather an acknowledgment that your loss matters and deserves care and attention as you navigate this difficult journey. Everyone experiences grief differently, and therapy provides a safe space to process your unique experience.
What to Expect from Therapy
Your therapy will be tailored to your specific needs and circumstances. For grief and loss, Helen brings specialized training:
- With Helen: Helen's approach to grief therapy is personalized, drawing from multiple therapeutic modalities:
- Person-Centered Approach - Creating a safe environment where your grief is acknowledged and validated
- Psychodynamic Elements - Exploring how your relationship with what was lost influences your grief
- Cognitive Behavioral Techniques - Developing tools to manage intense emotions and navigate daily life
- Life Coaching - Setting goals for rebuilding and moving forward while honoring your loss
Your therapy experience may include:
- Telling the story of your loss in a supportive environment
- Exploring the full range of your thoughts and feelings about the loss
- Identifying and addressing any complicated aspects of your grief
- Learning strategies to cope with intense emotions and difficult moments
- Finding meaningful ways to maintain connection while adapting to your new reality
- Developing rituals or practices that support your ongoing healing
The goal isn't to "get over" your loss or reach an endpoint where grief disappears. Rather, therapy helps you find ways to integrate the loss into your life while reconnecting with sources of meaning, purpose, and joy. Helen creates a compassionate, non-judgmental space where you can express and explore your grief in all its dimensions.
Your Path Through Grief
While grief is a deeply personal journey, therapy can provide meaningful support and facilitate healing in several ways:
In the Short Term
- ✓A safe space to express all aspects of your grief
- ✓Validation and normalization of your experience
- ✓Immediate coping strategies for overwhelming moments
- ✓Relief from isolation in your grief journey
In the Long Term
- ✓Integration of the loss into your life narrative
- ✓Ability to remember and honor what was lost while engaging with present life
- ✓Development of new sources of meaning and connection
- ✓Greater resilience and capacity to navigate future losses
While grief is the price we pay for love and connection, it need not remain overwhelmingly painful forever. With support, most people find that grief eventually transitions—not disappearing, but changing form—allowing space for both honoring what was lost and embracing new possibilities in life.
Support for Grief
Get in touch today to get help with your path forward.