Grief Counselling: Hope for Those Coping With Loss

Grief is a natural, unavoidable response to loss. Emotions such as shock, anger, sadness and guilt are normal emotions in the grieving process, and they can cause a great deal of suffering. The pain that comes from losing someone or something you love can be truly overwhelming, causing disruptions in your physical and emotional well-being. The greater the loss, the more intense this pain.

People work through grief on their own individual timelines and paths. One way to learn to cope with grief and loss is to find a professional called a grief counsellor in order to assist them through this process.

What is grief counselling?

Grief counselling is a type of therapy that supports people as they work through the emotions and stages
associated with grief. While it is necessary to go through the grieving process, counsellors help people work through their emotions in a healthy manner and guide them through this journey.

What are the goals of grief counselling?

There are four main “tasks of mourning”, commonly accepted by many therapists, which then align with four goals of grief counselling (Worden, 2010). These goals are:
1) Help clients accept the reality of loss
2) Help clients work through emotional pain
3) Support them in readjusting to life after the loss
4) Help them retain a bond (in the case of a deceased loved one) while re-integrating into life

What are the benefits of grief counselling?

Provides validation
People often feel like they are weak and selfish for grieving over things like pet loss, divorce or retirement.
Grief counselling helps people understand that grief can involve any kind of loss, and gives them permission to work through this process.

Reduces anxiety, depression and guilt
Grief counsellors can help people work through difficult emotions associated with grief. Counsellors can
provide coping strategies as well as a safe place to release guilt that grieving clients regularly experience.

Introduces self-care strategies
Grief takes a huge physical and emotional toll. Counsellors teach and encourage self-care strategies, such
as a return to hobbies that an individual used to enjoy. These strategies can help clients to cope with loss
and begin to recover.

At Lynn Valley Counselling, we believe in providing a safe, judgment-free space for clients who are working through many kinds of concerns. We are all highly experienced, professional clinicians who help clients who are coping with grief and loss. Reach out for a consultation today.