Loss is an inevitable part of being human, yet nothing truly prepares us for the weight of it. Whether you're mourning the death of someone you loved, processing the end of a significant relationship, or grieving what might have been, the pain can feel overwhelming and isolating. You might find yourself wondering if what you're feeling is normal, if you're grieving the "right" way, or if the heaviness will ever lift.
There's no timeline for grief, no correct way to move through it, and no emotion that's off-limits. Some days might feel manageable, while others might knock you off your feet without warning. This is all part of the process. Our therapists understand the complexity of grief and are here to walk alongside you as you navigate one of life's most difficult experiences.
Get StartedGrief isn't just about death—it's the natural response to losing anything that held meaning in your life. While we often associate grief with bereavement, people grieve many kinds of losses: relationships that end, health that declines, dreams that don't come true, identities that shift, or life circumstances that change beyond our control.
What makes grief so challenging is that it doesn't follow a predictable path. You might experience waves of profound sadness, numbness that makes you feel disconnected from everything, anger at the unfairness of it all, or guilt about things you did or didn't say. You might find yourself replaying memories, searching for meaning, or struggling to imagine a future without what you've lost.
Some people need to talk about their loss constantly, while others prefer quiet reflection. Some throw themselves into activity to cope with the pain, while others retreat inward. There's no right or wrong way to grieve—what matters is finding support that honors your unique process and helps you move through the pain rather than getting stuck in it.
Create a safe space to express the full range of your emotions without judgment
Process complicated feelings like guilt, anger, or relief that might feel confusing
Develop healthy coping strategies for managing intense waves of grief
Navigate life transitions and practical challenges that come with loss
Address how grief is affecting your relationships, work, or daily functioning
Find meaning and purpose as you rebuild your life around the loss
Honor your loved one's memory in ways that feel right to you
Learn to carry your loss forward while still engaging with life
Get StartedLosing someone you care about—whether a partner, parent, child, sibling, friend, or other significant person—can shake your entire world. The permanence of death brings up profound questions about life, meaning, and your place in the world now that this person is gone. Grief after death isn't linear; it comes in waves, sometimes catching you off guard months or even years later. We help you process the loss, honor the relationship you shared, and find ways to continue living meaningfully while carrying the memory of your loved one with you.
Pets are family members, companions, and sources of unconditional love. When they die, the grief can be just as profound as losing a person, yet it's often minimized by others who don't understand the depth of the bond. You might feel guilty about the decisions you had to make regarding their care or end-of-life choices. We recognize the significance of this loss and provide space to fully honor your grief without apology.
The end of a romantic relationship, marriage, or significant friendship involves grieving not just the person, but the future you imagined together, the daily routines you shared, and the identity you held as part of that partnership. Divorce and separation bring their own unique challenges, including anger, betrayal, relief, or conflicting emotions that can feel confusing. Even when you know ending the relationship was the right choice, grief is still natural and deserves acknowledgment.
Receiving a serious diagnosis, developing a chronic condition, or experiencing a decline in physical or cognitive abilities means grieving the health and capabilities you once had. This might include mourning your previous lifestyle, independence, or the future you'd planned. You might also be grieving your pre-diagnosis identity and adjusting to new limitations while managing fear about what lies ahead. This type of grief is complicated because you're simultaneously adapting to ongoing changes while mourning what's been lost.
Losing a job—whether through termination, layoff, or retirement—can trigger grief that others might not recognize. Work often provides structure, purpose, identity, and community. When it's gone, you might feel unmoored, questioning your worth and wondering who you are without that role. The financial stress and uncertainty about the future can compound the emotional impact, making this loss particularly difficult to process.
Get StartedWhen children leave home, parents often experience unexpected grief. The daily presence of your children, the role of actively parenting young people, and the identity you held as their primary caregiver all shift dramatically. While you may feel proud and excited for their next chapter, you might also feel a profound sense of loss, purposelessness, or nostalgia for the years that have passed. This transition requires redefining your identity and relationship with your adult children.
Miscarriage, stillbirth, and infertility involve grieving a child you never got to know, dreams of parenthood that may not unfold as hoped, and sometimes your body's ability to do what you desperately wanted it to do. This grief is often invisible to others and can be profoundly lonely. Well-meaning but hurtful comments from others, the emotional toll of fertility treatments, or watching others easily achieve what you're struggling with can intensify the pain. We create space for you to acknowledge the full weight of this loss.
When someone you love has a terminal diagnosis, or when you're facing your own mortality, grief can begin before the actual death occurs. This anticipatory grief involves mourning future losses—experiences you won't share, milestones the person won't witness, and the eventual absence that's approaching. It can feel confusing to grieve someone who's still alive, yet this is a natural response to impending loss. We help you navigate this unique form of grief while making the most of the time you have left.
Traumatic events, natural disasters, accidents, or sudden life upheavals can result in grieving your sense of safety, trust in the world, or the life you knew before everything changed. This might include grieving your pre-trauma self or innocence that's been lost. The world may feel fundamentally different now—less predictable, less safe, less fair. Working through this grief involves both processing the trauma and adjusting to a new reality.
Some losses lack closure or finality, making them particularly difficult to process. This might include a loved one with dementia who's physically present but no longer themselves, estrangement from family members where the relationship exists in limbo, or loved ones who are missing. The lack of clarity about the loss—whether it's permanent, whether there's hope for change—can leave you suspended in grief without the ability to fully move through it.
Get StartedGrief is deeply personal, and no two people experience it the same way, even when mourning the same loss. Understanding that there are many valid ways to grieve can help you be more compassionate with yourself during this difficult time.
While sadness is what we most associate with grief, it's far from the only emotion involved. You might experience intense yearning—a desperate longing for what you've lost that feels almost physical. Anger might arise, directed at the person who died for leaving you, at yourself for things left unsaid, at others who seem to be moving on too quickly, or at the universe for the unfairness of it all.
Guilt is incredibly common, whether it's survivor's guilt, regret about your last interactions, or self-blame about things you think you should have done differently. Some people feel relief, especially if their loved one suffered or if they're finally free from a difficult relationship—and then feel guilty about that relief. Others experience numbness or feel like they're going through the motions of life without really being present.
Your emotions might be more intense than you expected, or they might be surprisingly muted. Both extremes are normal. Some days you might feel like you're drowning in pain, and other days you might hardly think about your loss at all. This doesn't mean you didn't care—it's simply how the mind protects itself from sustained overwhelming emotion.
Some people are more outwardly emotional in their grief. They need to talk about their feelings, cry openly, share memories, and connect with others who understand what they're going through. This intuitive style of grieving involves leaning into emotions and processing through expression and connection.
Others take a more pragmatic approach, focusing on tasks that need to be handled, staying busy, and processing internally rather than outwardly. This instrumental style might involve channeling grief into action—organizing memorial services, handling estates, or throwing energy into work or projects. This isn't avoiding grief; it's simply a different way of coping with it.
Most people blend elements of both styles, and your approach might shift over time. What matters is finding what feels authentic to you, not what others expect grief to look like.
Children experience grief too, though they may not have the words or developmental capacity to fully understand or express what they're feeling. Young children might not grasp the permanence of death initially and may repeatedly ask when the deceased will return. They might also worry about their own safety or the safety of remaining loved ones.
Children often look to adults to learn how to grieve. If adults hide their emotions, children learn to suppress theirs. When adults model healthy grieving—acknowledging sadness, talking about feelings, asking for support—children learn that it's okay to feel their emotions too.
Adolescents face unique challenges with grief as they're already navigating identity formation, peer relationships, and increasing independence. They might struggle between wanting support and wanting to appear strong, or between processing their grief and keeping up with school and social obligations.
Family therapy or counseling specifically for young people can provide age-appropriate support, helping children understand their feelings, develop coping skills, and process their loss in healthy ways.
Get StartedWhile all grief is difficult, sometimes it becomes what's known as complicated or prolonged grief—a more intense, persistent form that significantly interferes with your ability to function. You might be experiencing complicated grief if, many months after your loss, you're still:
Unable to accept the reality of the loss or feeling like you're in shock. Having intense, intrusive thoughts about the person or what was lost that prevent you from focusing on anything else. Experiencing numbness or emotional detachment that persists beyond the initial shock. Avoiding anything that reminds you of the loss to the point that it's limiting your life. Feeling that life has no meaning or purpose without what you've lost. Struggling with basic self-care, eating, sleeping, or daily responsibilities.
Complicated grief isn't a sign of weakness or that you loved your person more than others do—it's a recognized condition that responds to specific therapeutic interventions. If you're concerned that your grief has become stuck or overwhelming, reaching out for support is crucial.
Grief and depression share many symptoms—sadness, loss of interest in activities, sleep disturbances, difficulty concentrating, and changes in appetite. However, they're distinct experiences. Grief typically centers around the loss and often comes in waves, with periods of acute pain mixed with periods of relative stability or even moments of joy and connection. Depression tends to be more persistent, pervasive, and involves a general sense of hopelessness and worthlessness that extends beyond the loss itself.
That said, grief can trigger a depressive episode, especially in people already vulnerable to depression. And existing depression can make the grieving process more complicated and prolonged. A therapist can help you distinguish between grief and depression, address both if they're present, and ensure you're getting the support you need.
It's important to know that you don't need to wait until grief becomes complicated or unmanageable to seek support. Many people benefit from therapy early in the grieving process, using it as a space to process their emotions, develop coping strategies, and feel less alone during an incredibly difficult time.
Grief doesn't have an expiration date, and healing doesn't mean forgetting or "getting over" your loss. Instead, it's about learning to integrate the loss into your life, carrying it with you in ways that honor what you've lost while still engaging meaningfully with the present and future.
We provide compassionate, individualized support as you navigate grief at your own pace. Whether you're in the raw, early days of loss or struggling with grief years later, whether you're mourning a death or a different kind of loss, we're here to help you find your way through.
Grief can feel incredibly isolating, but you don't have to carry it alone. Our therapists offer a warm, non-judgmental space where all your feelings are welcome and valid. To learn more about grief counseling, call us at 587-410-4251 or book an appointment today.
