Grief is difficult to deal with and it can be overwhelming regardless of the nature of the loss. Be it the loss of a loved one, a relationship, or even a home, it’s quite difficult to process emotions and heal all on your own. Therapy gives you the space and tools you need to cope.
What Does Grief Look Like?
Like many other emotions, grief manifests itself in a variety of ways. It can often disguise itself in the form of sadness or anger. It can also snowball into major depression. Since the way you experience grief is unique, it’s impossible to deal with it through a one-size-fits-all solution.
The way you experience grief also isn’t linear. You may go through different stages of grief in an entirely different order, or get stuck in one stage for longer than usual. You may also find yourself coming back to a stage, such as feeling acceptance one day and going back to denial the next.
Some of the common stages of grief include denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance and they usually come to the surface in the form of both physical and mental symptoms. You may experience anxiety attacks or fatigue, insomnia, body aches and more.
From Loss to Healing: The Unique Role of Therapy
All forms of therapy are effective when it comes to processing emotions and getting over a loss. A therapist can help you open up and may offer support without pushing you to move on.
1. They Allow You a Safe Space
After a loss, you may often find yourself looking for someone who is willing to hear you out, without any judgement. Since grief can bring up mixed emotions, you may also look forward to a space where your conversations are confidential and your feelings are validated.
While these emotions may often make you feel like you’re caught in the eye of a tornado, a therapist has the perspective to understand and unravel those complicated feelings. They offer you solutions like talk therapy, group therapy, keeping a routine, journaling, physical movement, mindfulness, and much more.
2. They Can Help You with Therapy Techniques Like CBT for Grief
Cognitive behavioral therapy, also known as CBT, helps clients identify unhelpful thoughts and assist them so they can shift thought patterns and reduce feelings of loss and regret.
CBT starts by helping clients recognize negative thoughts. It then works on those thoughts and figures out root causes so they can be replaced with balanced, positive thoughts. It challenges beliefs that give birth to those thoughts and help clients understand how the thoughts aren’t based on facts.
CBT therapists can also help you create coping strategies to handle certain moments of intense sadness. It allows you to overcome loss in a healthy manner.
3. They Allow Connectivity with Others and Celebrate Support Systems
Support makes grief feel a lot less overwhelming. The more you connect with your loved ones and talk about the loss the easier it is to recover. However, if you don’t feel quite comfortable talking with your friends and family, therapists are the best alternative.
You can also take advantage of group sessions that help you connect with others going through the same experiences as you. With others you learn to communicate your feelings in a way that is conducive to your healing.
Find a Therapist Today
Professional Herndon therapists can help you process difficult emotions and deal with loss in a way that allows you to grow instead of feeling numb or unhappy. If you think you need support to get over a difficult loss, don’t hesitate. Reach out before the emotions engulf you.
