Grief is a natural and normal response to a significant loss, especially if such a loss is life changing. The death of a loved one, the loss of a career, a beloved pet, a home, retirement, and illness – all of these experiences can cause grief. Grieving is a process that takes time; it is also a process that varies from person to person.

While all people experience grief at one point or another, people can also help themselves to move through their profound sorrow. No matter how deeply you feel the pain of loss, healing will come. If healing seems to be taking too long, therapy can help.

Acknowledging Grief

The irony about grief is this: those who accept their grief usually move forward sooner. You have to experience your grief to move through it, trying to avoid it doesn’t tend to work. In order to come to terms with loss, it is necessary to face your feelings and acknowledge the sorrow that comes with it. It is normal to remember the bittersweet memories and want to avoid pain.

However, you do need support when you go through this process, otherwise you can start to feel stuck in it. It can be hard to do this on your own, this is where working with a skilled licensed therapist can make a world of difference.

Talk Therapy: Express your Grief

It is important that you express your grief, even if you are not the “talk-about-it” type. Expressing your pain will help liberate you from it. Again, there is a word of caution regarding this: friends and relatives cannot be your long term sounding board, especially if they have experienced the same loss. Of course you will want to share things with them and this can be healthy, however, you may find that you don’t get as much support as you need from them and that’s okay.

Friends and family can be wonderful and provide a great deal of support, however, they cannot provide the same type of support as a therapist.

Don’t Deny Yourself the Help You Need

Unfortunately, grief is not something you can just pack away and be done with. Its intensity comes and goes, and people can find themselves falling into despair and depression while dealing with it. Some well-meaning friends and family members sometimes make things worse by encouraging you to “get over it” or “move on”, while others may make you feel guilty if you do.

The best way to get past grief is to be good to yourself. Taking care of your physical and mental health is essential.

Take the First Step

If you or a loved one is experiencing grief, you aren’t alone. Therapy can be an amazing place to process your feelings and grieve. A skilled therapist can create a safe environment for you to reflect on the past and find healthy ways to move forward.

If you are looking for grief counseling in Sanford, North Carolina look no further than CCS. Carolina Counseling Services contracts with skilled licensed therapists and psychiatric professionals. Providers are in network with most major insurances including Aetna, Aetna State Health Plan, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC), Tricare, Medicaid and many more. Call today to schedule your first appointment!

Related Articles:

• Releasing Yourself from Grief and Trauma with a Counselor
• Grief: Crucial Things You Need to Know
• Getting Help to Bounce Back from Grief and Trauma
• The Healthy Way to Help Children Process Grief
• Staying Strong As a Couple in Times of Grief
• Protecting Your Marriage Against the Impact of Grief
• Easing Teen Grief with Counseling
• A Child in Grief: Bringing Back The Smile
• Grieving and Healing as a Family

Jaime Johnson Fitzpatrick LCMHCS, LCAS is one of the Owners and Vice Presidents of Carolina Counseling Services. She is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor and Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist in the State of North Carolina as well as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in State of New York. Jaime is also certified in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and utilizes various other approaches in her practice.