GRIEF COUNSELING AND PROLONGED GRIEF TREATMENT
Grief is weird, sneaky, messy, and relentless. But you can (and will) make it through it.
No matter what we do to run from it, grief comes to visit us all. We can't escape it. Many have tried, and all have failed.
To avoid the pain from the loss, we turn to things like diving into work, exercising excessively, not taking care of ourselves at all, avoiding loved ones, pretending the loss never happened, abusing substances, overeating, or maybe even self harm.
These methods can distract you for a while, but eventually, the pain starts to seep negatively into other areas of our lives until it's impossible to ignore.
When we choose to sit with our grief, we can come out on the other side wiser, kinder, and hopeful for the future.
Learn to embrace your enduring connection to your loved one while developing coping mechanisms and emotional resilience to lessen the intensity of their presence in your thoughts and feelings with a counselor who really gets grief.
There is no right or wrong way to grieve.
Everyone grieves differently. How you cope will depend on many things, like your personality, beliefs, and how close you were to the person you lost. Even though everyone's experience is unique, some feelings and reactions are common, like difficulty concentrating, changes in appetite or sleep, or feeling tired all the time. Symptoms of grief can be emotional, cognitive, or behavioral.
Common symptoms of grief
Emotional
Sadness or yearning
Feeling numb or deeply alone
Frustration or anger
Guilt or worry
Feeling lost and unsure of you are
Cognitive
The preoccupation with thoughts about the deceased
A sense of disbelief or protest
Imagining alternative scenarios
Difficulty concentrating, confusion, or memory troubles
Questioning existing beliefs and values
Behavioral
Avoiding grief reminders
Finding ways to feel close to your loved one
Avoiding social events or time with friends and family
Changes in sleep or appetite
Loss of interest in activities or hobbies
From personal experience, a unique family history, and extensive training in grief, I know firsthand the relentless and complicated nature of grief and loss.
✺ The out-of-the-blue reminders of what you've lost.
✺ Feeling like your grief is on display for everyone to see and you're doing it all wrong.
✺ The endless loop of "I coulda, woulda, shoulda" guilt and shame.
✺ The hallow platitudes from well-meaning loved ones.
✺ Feeling ripped off and angry that the world keeps turning like nothing has happened.
✺ Finding it practically impossible to find meaning in life without your loved one.
✺ The profound loneliness, like you’re living on another planet or a different plane than everyone else.
✺ Struggling to find joy in interests or activities that once brought pleasure and fun into your life.
✺ Questions like "What am I supposed to do now?" and "Who am I without this person?" echo over and over again in your mind.
When we get stuck in our grief.
Soon after the loss of a loved one, we are overcome by these feelings and emotions, thoughts, and behaviors, and they tend to dominate our lives.
Some people recover from loss naturally over time. They learn to accept the loss fully, the thoughts and feelings that once felt too much to bear have softened, and their sense of meaning and purpose is restored.
Unfortunately, this is not the case for all of us.
For some of us, the constant weight of the grief pressing down on our chests makes it too difficult to breathe, let alone move forward.
Despite the world continuing to turn and those around you seemingly moving on, you're at a standstill. The intense pain is still there. Reminders of your loss are everywhere, and not much really seems to matter. If this sounds like you and it's been six months or longer since your loss, you may be experiencing prolonged grief disorder.
What is Prolonged Grief Disorder?
Prolonged grief disorder (PGD) is a type of mental health condition that can develop after the loss of a loved one. It goes beyond the usual sadness and grief that people experience after a loss and can significantly affect daily life. While typical grief tends to fade over time, PGD remains intense and persistent. Once prolonged grief disorder takes over, it can become very difficult to adapt to the loss without help.
Prolonged Grief Treatment can help you heal.
Prolonged Grief Treatment (previously called Complicated Grief Treatment) is the most evidence-based treatment in the world. Dr. Katherine Shear developed Prolonged Grief Treatment and has proven its effectiveness over the last three decades. I've been fortunate to undergo extensive training in PGT with Dr. Bonnie Gorscak, a key leader in grief and loss who has worked closely with Dr. Katherine Shear over the last 20 years. As a grief counselor, I use PGT to help you understand and overcome what's holding you back from adapting to your loss. We'll work together to face these challenges and build a new life filled with meaning and joy.
It’s okay to feel okay. You deserve peace, and I’d be honored to help you get there.
Begin Grief Counseling in KY and OH
Throughout my years as an expert-trained grief counselor serving Kentucky and Ohio, I've seen individuals overcome grief's toughest challenges, develop skills, implement tools, and find peace. If you're struggling with distressing thoughts, emotions, or behaviors or feel stuck in your loss, I'm here for you. Online sessions are available throughout KY & OH and in-person in my Northern Kentucky office.
Follow the steps below to get started.
Let's connect! Fill out the contact form, give me call, or send a text to get started.
Start sessions with a compassionate grief counselor.
Find a way forward, honor your loved one, and reconnect with your joy.