Grief & Loss Therapy for Adults
Many of us grow up learning lessons about how to love. We need more honesty about what it looks like to grieve.
Serving Charlotte, NC & online throughout North & South Carolina
Have you experienced the loss of a loved one?
Maybe this was a loss you weren’t expecting, like a miscarriage, a death of loved one by suicide, an overdose, or loss of a close friend, family member, or pet. Or perhaps this was a loss you were anticipating, like a loved one with dementia, Alzhiemer’s, a chronic illness, or long-term substance use or addiction. Perhaps you were even a caregiver for this loved one.
You may be struggling to get through your day, or simply so overwhelmed that you’re just going through the motions, unsure of what you feel and need. Perhaps grief doesn’t feel like what you expected, leaving you frustrated and doubting yourself.
Whatever it is that you’re experiencing, you’re beginning to notice the impact of this in every facet of your life:
- Struggling to stay focused at work or in conversation with others
- Changes in energy & mood
- Questioning meaning or purpose
- Feeling like others have moved on already
- Isolation & loneliness
LITTLE DISCLAIMER! You’ll see the use of the words “loved one” throughout the website. This isn’t intended to imply your relationship to your “loved one” looked a certain way. Whether you had a close, loving relationship or one of complexity, possible trauma, or maybe distance, they all belong here. Grief can reveal itself whether or not you consider yourself “close” to your loved one. If you have any questions, please ask.
Grief & bereavement therapy can help.
It may feel impossible now, but you can learn how to feel connected to life again after significant loss. You don’t have to leave your loved one or the life you knew behind. Although you can’t change this, you can find a way to get through this. And this is where I can help.
Grief & bereavement therapy can help you to:
- Create a safe space where you get to talk about your loss openly: no limitations, no having to censor yourself, no “can they handle this?”
- Learn tools to cope with the big, uncontrollable feelings you’re experiencing
- Gain an understanding that you’re not crazy! What you feel is normal & grief is universal
- Build skills to turn towards your grief rather than away, so you can be present to the life unfolding in front of you without losing connection to your loved one
Grief is like a thumbprint and no one’s relationship to their loved one is like any other. This means that therapy will be tailored to your unique grief needs and circumstances. You get to share what you want, when you want, and how you want. My approach to grief therapy comes from a place of hope and empowerment: believing that what you are experiencing is a normal part of life and you have the ability to get through this. You may not know what that looks like right now.
What I know from supporting so many others in their grief, is that it’s ok to not have all the answers right now. I’ve seen others doubt themselves and experience surprise and bewilderment when all of a sudden things start to change. They start to learn how to carry what currently feels huge, uncomfortable, and heavy.
I’ve come to learn that grief isn’t something that goes away. It is something that can be integrated, or woven, into your life. Although there are many parts of this you cannot control, you do have choice around what it is you do with your grief. I hope you can offer yourself the space, attention, and care you deserve in one of the most important times of your life.
If one side of the coin is love, the other is grief.
Grieve with support that’s hopeful, compassionate, & real.
Common questions about grief therapy:
The circumstances surrounding your loss (expected, unexpected, type of loss, personal history) will be important when it comes to determining when to begin therapy. If you are in a true crisis, please do not wait on reaching out for support! Trust yourself here.
Generally speaking though, I often suggest giving yourself about 4-6 weeks until beginning therapy. Oftentimes, because there are so many tasks, necessary conversations, decisions, and interactions, I find many are too overwhelmed to even be with their grief. Of course, they’re feeling things but it’s often when the initial weeks settle that more rises to the surface. If you notice it’s becoming overwhelming, feels like too much, or you just want to better understand what this is “supposed” to be like, then I would love to speak with you.
If you have any questions about this, please ask me about it during a consultation call. I would be glad to collaborate with you about what may be best based on your unique circumstances.
Some of the people I serve have received bereavement counseling through hospice or have worked with other providers. One of the themes I hear is that folks feel confined to talking only about their grief. I believe if something is happening in your life, whether it seems directly related to your loss or not, it belongs. Examples include: difficult interactions with family, earlier experiences that may be resurfacing, how to talk with others about your loss, current relationships, other life stressors (work, family, friends). If you have questions about your own circumstances, feel free to ask during the consultation!
We will talk about what you want to talk about. Sometimes I may make suggestions, offer observations, or ask questions, however, you always have a choice about what you want to share. If there’s something that arises that feels outside of my training or scope of practice, I will do my best to connect you with resources and/or other providers.
How you feel with the person you’re working with is one of the most important pieces of therapy. Reach out today to schedule a free 20-minute consultation call. During the call, you’ll get the chance to share what’s bringing you to therapy and ask any questions you may have about therapy with me. The conversation will help us determine if we’re a good fit for another. If so, we’ll schedule an initial appointment and I’ll guide you through beginning our work together. Sometimes these discussions also lead us to realize you may be better supported by another provider. If so, I’ll gladly provide you with referrals.
More questions? Check out my FAQs page.