Grief Counseling in
Santa Cruz, CA
Following the Passing of Someone Special, May Bring Up Many Emotions That Grief Counseling Can Address
After two and a half years of living in a pandemic, grief about the loss of loved ones is probably something we all know too well. Covid-19 took millions. This includes parents, children, aunts and uncles, grandparents, siblings, and friends alike. Not to mention all the people who were lost to more sudden or unexpected events like a car accident, terminal illness, or suicide. Grief is a natural part of life when someone we love dies. It is both a universal trauma and a very personal experience. Finding your way through the changes and often painful emotions that arise during the days, weeks, and months that follow a death can be difficult. But, you don’t have to do it alone. Grief counseling in Santa Cruz, CA can offer support.
Following the Death of Someone Special, You May Feel Many Conflicting Emotions That Grief Counseling Can Address. These may include sadness, anger, fear, and guilt all at the same time. It is important to recognize that these feelings are normal. They will not feel as intense with time, support, and the opportunity to talk about your loss. You may experience other people saying things or giving advice that you do not find helpful. Find the people who can listen to you and provide the support that works for you.
Grieving is Not Done All At Once
Most of us move in and out of grief. We may alternately feel the pain and reality of the loss, and then take time to engage in life’s ongoing tasks. It’s okay to experience pleasure and focus on other things. There is no clear roadmap for grief because each person’s experience is unique.
Grief doesn’t have to exist solely after the death of a loved one. Individual experiences of grief vary and are influenced by the nature of the loss.
Loss Can Look Like
- The ending of an important relationship
- Job loss
- Loss through theft
- Loss of a pet
- Or the loss of independence through disability
Symptoms Can Look Like
- Intense sorrow, pain, and rumination over the loss
- Focus on little else but your loss
- Extreme focus on reminders of the loved one or excessive avoidance of reminders
- Intense and persistent longing or pining for the deceased
- Problems accepting the loss
- Numbness or detachment
- Loss of appetite or nausea
- Bitterness about your loss
- Feeling that life holds no meaning or purpose and is not worth living without your loved one
- Extreme fatigue
- Headaches
- Lack of trust in others
- Inability to enjoy life or think back on positive experiences with your loved one
- Trouble carrying out normal routines
- Difficulty sleeping
- Isolating from others and withdrawing from social activities
- Depression, deep sadness, guilt, or self-blame
- The insistence that you could or should have done something to prevent the loss
- Wishing you had died along with your loved one
Upon Googling the different symptoms and stages of grief, you may find a graphic that describes grief to have five distinct, ordered stages:
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Denial
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Anger
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Bargaining
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Acceptance
At Pacific Coast Therapy, we believe that grief is not this simple, linear, or straightforward. You may start with bargaining and then end with acceptance. You may start and stay with depression. Or, you may accept things immediately. Mourning can last for months or years. Generally, pain is tempered as time passes. Over time, you adapt to life without a loved one, to the news of a terminal diagnosis, or to the realization that your loss could be permanent.
Regardless of What Your Unique Process Looks Like, We Urge You to Remember to Be Gentle With Yourself.
For many people, grief is manageable with some simple yet powerful strategies like acknowledging your emotions and allowing yourself to feel them without judgment, reminiscing on the positive experiences with your loved one, joining a grief support group, planning healthy distractions, talking about the loss with trusted people, and making time for self-care activities.
Get Started
The Pacific Coast Therapy team is passionate about helping people thrive. If you’re ready to take the next step in your life, contact us today to schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation. One of our caring therapists can offer support. To start your therapy journey, please follow these simple steps:
1
Contact Us
Text, call, email, or fill out the form at the bottom of the page in order to contact us.
2
Meet With A Caring Therapist
Take part of a free 15-minute consultation with a therapist to see if it is the right fit.
3
Begin The Road To Healing
Start meeting on a regular basis and conquer your goals.
Lets Connect
info@pacificcoasttherapy.com
Call or Text
(831) 687-9555