Grief Therapy and Counseling explained

Dr. Purushothaman
October 18, 2013

Grief therapy or counseling is an important help for people suffering from intense grief and depression due to the death of a loved one. Coping with the loss of a loved one can be an extremely traumatic process resulting in mental disruption and related problems. It is a long and arduous process that often calls for grief counseling and therapy sessions for the mental and emotional support required to cope with the changes that the sudden death has brought to a grievers lives. Those mourning from grief can easily find help in the form of grief therapy or counseling sessions from various resources. However, it is suggested to know about the problem well before looking for additional support.

Types of Grief

It is a universal Human experience that everyone around the world goes through, yet it remains a mystery and difficult-to-explain topic. In simple words, it can be defined as the mental, emotional, spiritual and physical process that people undergo after a loss. It has been broadly divided into two categories namely normal and abnormal grief. Normal grief can be explained as the experience that usually happens due to the expected death of a loved one. On the other hand, abnormal grief results out of a sudden or violent loss. It is a complicated situation that can also result in clinical depression and related symptoms.

Therapy and Counseling

Both the types of grief call for intense emotional and mental support. However, help and support from friends and family can help the sufferer to get over normal grief, whereas those suffering from abnormal grief often require professional grief therapy or counseling sessions. Professional therapy sessions are conducted by licensed psychiatrists with advance degrees in Human Psychology, Social Work, Medicine and related fields. The goal of the therapist is to help the griever accept the loss and process the pain in a healthier way without enduring any mental or physical side effects. During the grief therapy sessions, the griever is encouraged to speak about the loss and motivated to adopt healing techniques like art or music therapy, reading therapy (bibliotherapy) and writing therapy.

Where to find therapy?

In case you require help from professional grief therapist , you can approach your family doctor or local clergy for recommendations. You can also search the yellow pages or Psychological Association directories for locating New Jersey, Pittsburg, Los Angeles, New York City or San Diego therapists offering grief therapy and counseling sessions around your city. The easiest way to locate a therapist in your vicinity - like all those San Francisco Therapists practicing in the region, online therapy directories are the best.

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