You may be wondering why people engage in grief counselling or how it could help you. Perhaps you have a perception that talking about your grief and loss is going to be too difficult or not actually help in any way. Please read on as I do my best to explain what grief counselling with me entails and how it may benefit you.
Some people want to talk through what has happened, while others want support with moving through their grief and finding some relief from the constant heartache. Whatever you need at the time is where we will begin and we will go at your pace.
Grief isn’t a problem to be resolved – it’s a natural human response to loss. So with grief counselling, we aren’t trying to fix a problem. We are making space for your grief and giving you support to navigate through it, so that you can learn how to carry your grief forward into your life after loss. You don’t need to navigate your grief alone. Opening up to receiving support with your grief may benefit you in many ways. Here are five key benefits of engaging in grief counselling:
Space for your grief
Grief counselling is a safe space for you to share your experience. You will have the opportunity to openly express your raw emotions and unfiltered thoughts, while receiving non-judgmental support. It's ok if you cry and it's ok if you don't cry. I am deeply passionate about holding space for you as you feel what needs to be felt (it’s why I named my business “Grief Space”). There may be some areas of your life where you don’t feel as comfortable expressing your grief and you end up “holding it together”, such as at work, at the supermarket or even in front of other family members. Your counselling sessions are a space for you to share your unique experience and be witnessed in your grief, which is a pivotal part of honouring your loss.
Release the suffering
Grief can be very difficult and painful, but there are layers of suffering that many people feel on top of their grief, which make their grief even more painful and tricky to navigate. If you are experiencing feelings of guilt, blame or regret along with your grief, if can be difficult to access the true and pure nature of your grief. Grief is deeply connected to love. Are you feeling stuck in unhelpful ruminations, thinking over and over about what could have been different or what you should have done? I can support you to process the layers of suffering, to come back your pure experience of grief and your love for the person you have lost.
Understand what is happening
Grief is a deeply personal experience, which impacts people in many different ways. While grief is a natural human response to loss, it can have a profound impact on your emotions, body and mind. Grief can feel overwhelming, confusing and never-ending. When engaging in grief counselling, you will learn more about grief and the various ways it can show up. Obtaining a better understanding of grief and it’s sneaky effect on so many facets of our life can be incredibly validating. You will learn that you are not alone in what you are experiencing and that over time, the way grief affects you will shift and change. We will explore your grieving style and discuss how this interacts with the grieving styles of other people around you. We will develop a clearer understanding of your personal experience with grief, which will reduce feelings of isolation, confusion and overwhelm.
Nurturing yourself
In grief counselling, we explore what your current self-care routine and coping strategies are and work towards building a toolbox of healthy support tools. Sometimes when faced with unprecedented heartache, people lean on unhealthy coping tools, such as alcohol or other drugs, self-harm, emotional eating, overworking and so on. Avoiding or suppressing your grief may impact your health and wellbeing over the long term. I hold no judgement about what you have been doing to cope.
With support, you can discover which coping strategies are sustainable and feel good for you, so that you can nurture your mind and body through this difficult time. We will work with what resonates for you, whether that be mindfulness, movement, meditation, journaling, nature, art, breathwork, self-compassion practices or a range of other modalities. Grief often causes stress in the body, so it’s important to nurture yourself and receive support, to move through your grief while maintaining your health and wellbeing.
Learn how to carry your grief
Experiencing profound grief can be life-changing. Engaging in grief counselling can help you navigate your grief and learn how to carry it moving forward. You won’t be encouraged to “move on” from your loved one or let go of your grief. When, and only when, you are ready, we will work together to explore how you’d like to move forward in your life, maintaining a connection with your loved one. Many people find that continuing the bond they share with their person helps them to create meaning for their life, while honouring their loved one. Yes, grief may be changing you. Let’s acknowledge what’s shifting and explore ways to carry your grief, while also creating meaning in your life after loss.
_______________________________________________________________________
When you decide to engage in grief counselling, you are honouring your grief experience and making a commitment to your wellbeing. Seeking support is brave and an important step towards nurturing yourself through what is undoubtedly a very difficult experience. Grief isn’t a problem to be fixed and counselling won’t take away your grief. However, grief counselling can help you weave your grief experience into your life in a way that honours your loss, cherishes your memories of your special person and allows you to move forward with self-compassion.
If you are ready to schedule your initial grief counselling session, visit my website at www.griefspace.com.au where I offer online bookings for my online telehealth sessions.
As always, please feel free to send me an email with any questions – michelle@griefspace.com.au
Michelle xx
Comments