Grief Counselling Specialist Q&A

Grief looks and feels different to each person. It’s a very individual process, though most grief is punctuated by strong, complex feelings following the loss. This may include feelings of sadness, depression, shock, denial, disbelief, numbness, panic, confusion, anger, hostility, relief, or feeling overwhelmed.
 
There is no established timeline for grief. Some people grieve for weeks while others may require years to process what they’re feeling. Professional grief counseling can help make sure that you have the insight, tools, and resources necessary to move through grief healthily.

While grief is a completely normal human experience, it can be difficult to move through. Loss is an incredibly complex emotion to process, which is why seeking outside support from a professional can be beneficial. Mental health professionals can help us identify where the challenges are in moving on and what we may be unconsciously doing to make things more difficult for ourselves. 
 
You should seek professional help for your grief if:
 
● It’s impeding your ability to engage in important areas of your life, such as work, friendships, relationships, etc.
● You haven’t begun experiencing improvements in your mental and emotional health after a reasonable amount of time.
● You don’t know how to move on from your grief and feel stuck.
● You feel like you’re at risk of hurting yourself or someone else.
● You’re struggling to attend to your basic needs, such as eating, hydrating, dressing, etc.
● You’re struggling to attend to the basic needs of your children and/or pets.
● You’re not using healthy coping strategies to deal with your grief (for example, excessive alcohol or drug use, self-harming, etc.)
● You feel consumed by your grief and it’s affecting your day-to-day life.
 
Living with the continued anguish of loss is unhealthy and can lead to severe and long-lasting mental health complications that are difficult to remedy. If you’re struggling with processing your grief, reaching out to a professional can help steer you down the right path.

Therapy is a great option for those who need additional support in processing their grief. It gives you access to licensed professionals who are equipped to help you address, manage, and overcome the complex emotions associated with grief such as anxiety, anger, guilt, or fear. In addition, therapy can provide you with the insights and coping strategies that you need to build emotional resilience and move forward in a meaningful way.
 
Grief counseling allows you to treat your trauma, express your emotions, address unresolved feelings, and come to terms with your new reality in a safe environment. It also allows you to build a strong support system as you move through your life.

Your grief therapist’s main responsibility is to help you accept and move forward from your grief in a safe and meaningful way. This includes supporting you in accepting the reality of your loss, working through the pain of grief, adjusting to your new life post-trauma, and helping you to maintain a healthy support network. It also involves helping you develop healthy and appropriate coping strategies when it comes to addressing your emotions. They may do this by utilizing several techniques or methodologies, such as behavioral therapy or psychotherapy.
 
If you’re struggling to come to terms with your grief or need help processing it, contact the mental health professionals at Psychiatry of the Palm Beaches. We are a certified and licensed medical team that focuses on getting you the care you need so that you can move on healthily. For more information about our grief counseling, or to book an appointment, contact us at your earliest convenience. We serve patients from Boynton Beach FL, Delray Beach FL, Palm Beach Gardens FL, Jupiter FL, Stuart FL, Palm City FL, Royal Palm Beach FL, Wellington FL, Vero Beach FL, Citrus Ridge FL, Plantation FL, Sunrise FL, Jacksonville FL, Riverside FL, Port St. Lucie FL, Beau Rivage West FL, Melbourne FL, Palm Bay FL, and surrounding areas.