Grief Counseling
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Grief Counseling Specialist in Boulder, CO
Experiencing grief is surely a difficult thing, but a grief therapist can help you get through these hard times. Sometimes a loss affects you so badly that you cannot even perform your daily life activities. Meet Dr. Ari Aal at Delos Psychiatry, who would listen to you and patiently detangle those knots that bother you. Grief counseling therapy is crucial for people who cannot deal with their grief on their own. Dr. Ari Aal provides affordable and effective therapy to cope with loss and grief. To consult our psychiatrists, contact us or schedule an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 2501 Walnut St. Suite 204 Boulder, CO 80302.
How do you know when you are grieving?
Each person experiences grief differently. Though most people experience grief throughout their lives, it is a very difficult and stressful part of life. When going through grief, you may experience the following:
1. Sadness or depression – After a loss, it is very common to experience intense sadness. Sometimes, the sadness may grow into depression if the loss is especially hard to accept. It is common for people to isolate themselves while reflecting on the memories of their loved ones and coping with the loss.
2. Denial or disbelief – As it is natural for the brain to attempt to shield us from pain, it is common to experience denial as part of the grief process.
3. Shock – Most common during the first stages of grief, shock provides us with emotional protection from the overwhelming feelings that accompany loss.
4. Numbness – Described by some as feeling “stuck” or “frozen”, numbness is a common feeling to experience when going through grief.
5. Anger or distress – Coping with a loss is a painful process, so it is common to feel frustrated or angry when journeying through grief.
6. Change in sleep or appetite – As grief and loss can be quite traumatic, it can impact your routine habits such as sleeping or eating patterns. It is common to have a decrease in appetite and difficulty sleeping when experiencing grief.
When should you seek help for grief?
Although grief is a common human experience, it can be quite overwhelming and frightening. Your grief process is unique and impacts you on an emotional, physical, social, and spiritual level. It is recommended to seek support on your grief journey, as it can be very overwhelming to go through it on your own. Whether it means reaching out to your family and friends or seeking grief counseling, receiving support on your grief journey can make you feel less alone and help you heal faster.
Sometimes, grief can become extremely difficult to deal with alone. It is recommended to seek grief counseling if you are:
⦁ Coping in an unhealthy way, such as excessive substance use or self-harming
⦁ Unable to attend to your own or your dependant’s basic needs, such as food and shelter
⦁ Unable to heal for a prolonged period of time
⦁ Unable to engage with school, work or relationships
⦁ At the risk of hurting yourself or others
Does therapy work for grief?
Grief counseling also referred to as bereavement counseling, is designed to support people through their grief journeys in an effective and healthy way. Coming to terms with loss is a painful and often difficult process. It is important to seek support if you are struggling to deal with loss, especially if it is affecting your day-to-day life. In addition to helping you cope with your loss, grief counseling allows you to:
⦁ Determine which stage of grief you are at
⦁ Express your emotions
⦁ Address feelings of guilt
⦁ Build a network of support
⦁ Address and treat your trauma
⦁ Accept your new reality
It is recommended to seek bereavement counseling as living with unresolved pain is unhealthy and can lead to complicated grief. Complicated grief is more severe and harder to treat.
What are the responsibilities of a grief therapist?
A grief therapist is responsible for creating a trusting and safe environment for you to process and cope with your loss. Your grief therapist will ask you questions and actively listen to your thoughts and emotions. In addition, the bereavement specialist will support you in distinguishing your grief from your trauma. Furthermore, you will be able to address any feelings of guilt you may harbor. Your bereavement counselor may recommend psychotherapy or medications as a part of your treatment, depending on the circumstances and severity of your grief. Overall, the main responsibility of a grief counselor is to ensure you are supported through this difficult chapter of your life.
At Delos Psychiatry, our grief counselors are committed to providing top-quality care to each patient. If you are coping with grief in Boulder, Colorado, we are here to support you. For more information, contact us or schedule an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 2501 Walnut St. Suite 204 Boulder, CO 80302. We serve patients from Boulder CO, Denver CO, Silverthorne CO, Longmont CO, Superior CO, Lafayette CO, Broomfield CO, Erie CO, and Niwot CO.
