Grief Counseling Near Grand Rapids, MI
Therapy with Grief Counselors in Jenison, MIYou’re grieving and experiencing grief. You need hope and want to live life again.
Grief counseling is needed. When you’re grieving, you may not want to talk about it without crying. All you think about is how you wished the loneliness and hurt would stop. You’re desperate to have them back. The warm smile, the hug, their smell… they seem so close yet so far away. It seems like yesterday. Every day you miss them more. Sometimes you cry so hard it hurts. You find yourself just sitting there, staring, doing nothing…you just can’t seem to want to care. All you want is to hear their voice, to have them back to tell them you love them one more time.
Life after loss hurts. It’s lonely and you just want them back.
At first, you thought you could make it. You try to do what you used to do…get up, get ready for work, and eat. Then you remember. They’re not there anymore.
You sigh and try to fight back the tears and tell yourself “OK, I can do this….”
Meanwhile, your family and friends try to help. Some offer to spend time with you and it helps a little bit. Others invite you to do things to help keep you busy which is a break from the hurt while you’re busy… but then you get home.
Your friends and family, they mean well, but they don’t really get it. So you smile and nod and say thank you. However, on the inside, you’re a mess. They don’t know you barely got to work today. They compliment you but they don’t know it took all you had for the day to take a shower and get dressed.
Remember to care for yourself when you’re grieving. Grief Counseling can help with that.
It can be hard to remember to take care of yourself when you’re grieving. You may not have the energy to continue day-to-day routines. You may think you don’t deserve to be happy or have fun. Sometimes you just want a break from talking about it with everyone. That’s ok too. Grief may feel like your love has no place to go anymore…
The symptoms of a grieving person.
How does a person grieve? How long can a person grieve? When will grief get better?
There’s no one size fits all answer to those questions. Grief is different for everyone. At Great Lakes Wellness Counseling we understand that it’s unique to each person, family, and culture. There are physical symptoms of grief, emotional symptoms of grief, and different behavioral reactions to grief.
Emotional Symptoms of Grief
Normal Emotional Symptoms of Grief
- Feelings of emptiness, numbness, detachement
- Anger, bitterness, irritability
- Confusion, anxiousness, uncertainty
- Guilt, shame, resentment
- Relief, hope, joy, and pressure lifting
Physical Symptoms of Grief
Normal Physical Symptoms of Grief
- Lethargy and lack of energy
- Changes in sleep patterns like sleep disruption, difficulty getting to sleep, sleeping more, insomnia
- Unplanned weight loss or gain
- Increased moodiness or hormone-related changes
- Getting sick more or easier than before
- Resurfacing of old injuries
Behavioral Reactions to Grief
Normal Behavioral Reactions to Grief
- Difficulty concentrating or making decisions, forgetting things
- Low self-esteem
- Increased desire to be alone or avoiding social situations
- Overachieving or underperforming at work
- Loss of interested in fun activities
- Aggression towards others, blaming others
What is grief counseling?
Grief counseling is like many other forms of therapy. It’s not a one size fits all process either and can help with different types of grief. It is a dedicated time and place for you to come to terms with your grief at your own pace with a grief counselor who cares and can help you organize and make sense of what you’re going through. It’s likely you’ll meet weekly and then as you begin to see the progress you’re looking for your visits may become less frequent.
First, your grief counselor may get to know you and your loss, guiding you through talking about who the person was and the circumstances of the loss. Second, they may ask you to describe the emotions and feelings you’ve been having and how they’re impacting your life. Thirdly, grief counselors will work with you and help you find coping strategies to deal with tough times and find new behaviors that improve day-to-day life while still maintaining the connection to the person you lost.
Grief counseling can help you rebuild your life.
Grief counseling will help you rebuild your life back. It gives you permission to take the time you need to heal. We know your life will not be the same. However, you will be able to express your emotions without them overcoming you. You’ll overcome and break free from guilt, anxiety, anger, and sadness. You’ll be able to talk about your loved one in ways that honors them and their impact on your life. You may begin to engage with and enjoy in life again. Family and friends will be around you more and you’ll feel connected again.
I’m ready to begin grief counseling in Grand Rapids, MI today!
Working with a grief counselor can further your commitment toward healing. It will help you find your ‘new normal’ as you move forward in life. If you’re ready to start working toward a life filled again with hope and happiness follow these steps:
- Reach out for a free 15-minute consultation with one of our caring grief counselors.
- Schedule your first appointment at Great Lakes Wellness Counseling.
- Get the support you need to start living with happiness and hope.
Other Therapy Services We Offer Near Grand Rapids, MI
At Great Lakes Wellness Counseling our Jenison Counseling team offers other forms of counseling for a variety of concerns. We successfully help many people just like you regain control of their lives and win back the day! When you work with our therapists the frustration and hopelessness starts to fade. The pressure is lifted off your shoulders. You feel happy, confident, and like yourself again. The changes you make work! Some of the specialties that we can help with include Individual Counseling, Teen Therapy, Couples Counseling, and Marriage Counseling. This includes Anxiety Treatment, Christian Counseling, Therapy for Men, and Therapy For Women.
These services are available both in-person in Jenison, MI and online throughout Michigan.
