Quick Guide to Grief Counseling
Loss may be a part of life, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy to deal with. There are no age limits for when it occurs or limits to how it can affect one mentally, emotionally, or physically. Below, Kathryn Grant of Kansas City, MO, shares some of the many ways in which grief and loss can impact you and how grief counseling can help.
The Impact of Grief
Grief occurs after a loss, but that loss can come in many shapes and sizes. Typically, it’s only thought of as a response to a death. However, it can occur after the loss of anything, including the loss of a relationship, a job, or even loss of physical possessions after a fire or natural disaster.
Grief can cause many different issues, including but not limited to:
- Loss of appetite
- Inability to concentrate
- Living in a state of shock
- Hypervigilance, especially if the loss was traumatic and sudden
- Deep sadness or depression
- Inability to fall asleep or sleep restfully
- Feeling hopeless
- Isolating yourself or detaching from friends and loved ones
- Avoiding people, places, things, or activities that remind you of the person or thing you lost
In short, it can impact your health and every facet of your daily life.
Benefits of Counseling for Grief
Counseling offers a multi-layered process for overcoming the impact grief has on your life. Talking through your thoughts, feelings, and reactions is a critical part, as it helps you identify your struggles, gain clarity, and address them.
Though talking is crucial, counseling is also about adjusting to and thriving in life without the person or thing you’ve lost. Your counselor will work with you to develop coping strategies, create a life full of hope and healthy behaviors, and build or rebuild connections with others.
Learn more about grief counseling by scheduling an in-person or online session with Kathryn Grant of Kansas City, MO, at (913) 940-2582.
