Online Grief Counseling in North Carolina
You don’t have to walk through grief alone.
704-282-1661
Loss & Grief Counseling in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Florida
Grief is a deep, and at times overwhelming, emotional response to a loss. The initial experience of a severe loss can even feel like you’re floating. You may be engaging in your daily activities but are not fully present or “anchored” to the ground. As a grief counselor in North Carolina, I have seen this over and over again.
It is true that grief is related to losing a person. However, it can also be the response to the loss of identity, objects, places, or animals. This time can be especially challenging as you are likely to encounter regular reminders of the loss. Additionally during this difficult period, well-intended friends and family may say unhelpful things. Sometimes they may even say things that are hurtful. Most of us were also not taught how to deal with a loss and can feel stuck or alone in the process.
Understanding Grief
The experience of grief can vary from person to person. Which makes understanding grief to be difficult. Unfortunately, there is no clear timeline or path for those experiencing a loss. Grief responses don’t fit neatly into five stages. It can be disorienting, confusing, and messy. People also grieve differently based on their past experiences. In addition to their relationships, circumstances, and current influences in their life.
While grief is on a continuum and each person’s experience can vary. However, it is important to know that grief can impact many areas of one’s life. To include the physical, mental, emotional, social, behavioral, and/or spiritual domains.
Things We See in Grief Counseling
There is no set definition of how people experience grief. Here are some of the most common grief reactions I have seen as a grief counselor.
- Low energy, exhaustion, fatigue, low motivation
- Restlessness, irritability
- Disruption in appetite
- Tightness or heavy feeling in the chest
- Shock, numbness
- Sadness, emptiness
- Longing, yearning
- Depression
- Relief, guilt, anger, disbelief
- Forgetfulness, confusion, poor concentration
- Preoccupation with the deceased
- Thinking about other losses
- Isolation from friends/family
- Questions about spirituality and well-being of the now-deceased
Other Types of Grief and Loss:
Anticipatory Grief. The feelings experienced before a potential loss. This may be present when loss seems likely to occur and an individual begins to grieve aspects of the loss.
Disenfranchised Grief. When the mourner is denied the right to grieve the loss. For any reason, the loss of their loved one cannot be publicly mourned, socially supported, or openly acknowledged by their family, friends, or community.
Ambiguous Loss. The process of grieving someone who is still alive. The individual may have lost pieces of their loved one, their loved one has profoundly changed or disappeared.
How Grief Counseling Can Help
The ongoing experience of grief has been described as an emotion that comes in waves. These waves may be triggered by reminders of loved ones who have passed. As time goes by, these feelings will probably never fully go away. But with the help and support of a grief counselor, the experience can become more manageable over time. What initially felt like a tsunami, can eventually feel more like a ripple.
Mourning is an unpredictable and nonlinear process. However, no matter where someone is at in the process, Mindspace Counseling can help guide you through grief counseling. Support from a grief counselor may look like this:
- Understanding grief from your personal experience
- Helping to process the pain and other grief responses
- Teaching healthy coping skills to better manage difficult emotions
- Providing grief education
- Accompanying you in adjusting to life without the deceased
- Honoring and remembering the loved one
- Encouraging self-care and re-engagement with friends and loved ones
- Finding an enduring connection to the loved one while moving forward in your life
Person-Centered Approach in Grief Counseling
Our therapists will utilize a person-centered approach as the foundation for grief counseling, which means we strive to communicate empathy and unconditional positive regard and to create the space for what you need in your grieving process. All feelings are accepted and respected. You are allowed to talk about it as many times as you need to. In addition, we encourage you to find answers that are congruent with your own values and beliefs.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Grief
CBT is a common treatment approach for grief. Our therapists will help you explore the connections between your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. You will be assisted with identifying unhelpful thoughts and patterns that keep you stuck in the grieving process. You will be able to learn helpful strategies to navigate the challenges.
“When there is loss, there is trauma. When there is trauma, there is loss.” – Unknown
EMDR for Grief
Sometimes, the loss can be so big, sudden, and unexpected that it is experienced as traumatic. Or the circumstances around the loss are traumatic. Sometimes, it can trigger previous trauma and attachment wounds that can complicate the grieving process. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) can help facilitate the movement through mourning and grieving without taking away what’s true and what’s valuable.
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Get Started with Online Grief Counseling in North Carolina!
With the help of a grief counselor, you don’t have to walk through grief alone. Mindspace Counseling will help you start understanding grief and how it affects you. Follow these steps:
- Reach out to Mindspace Counseling
- Meet with one of our grief counselors
- Start processing your grief-related emotions and experiences with the support you deserve.
Other Services Offered at Mindspace Counseling
Grief therapy is not the only service we offer at our North Carolina-based therapy practice. We know that there are many other services that can help with mental health. We also provide anxiety treatment, trauma counseling, EMDR, and EMDR intensive therapy. As well as postpartum mental health, and perinatal mental health counseling. In fact, we can help you virtually via online therapy in North Carolina, South Carolina, and online therapy in Florida. Get connected with us today.
Common questions about Grief Counseling
What is grief counseling?
Grief counseling is a form of therapy designed to help individuals cope with the emotional, psychological, and physical challenges associated with loss. It provides support and guidance during the grieving process.
When is grief counseling recommended?
Grief counseling is recommended for individuals experiencing intense emotions, struggles with daily functioning, or difficulty adjusting to life after the loss of a loved one. It can be beneficial at any stage of the grieving process.
How does grief counseling differ from other forms of counseling?
Grief counseling specifically focuses on the grieving process, addressing emotions and challenges associated with loss. It may incorporate various therapeutic approaches, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), EMDR therapy, and support groups.
What can I expect in a grief counseling session?
Grief counseling sessions provide a safe space to express emotions, discuss the impact of the loss, and explore coping strategies. The therapist offers support, helps process grief-related thoughts, and facilitates the journey towards healing.
How long does grief counseling take?
The duration of grief counseling varies for each individual. It depends on factors such as the nature of the loss, the individual’s coping mechanisms, and the progression of the grieving process. Short-term or longer-term support may be recommended.
Is grief counseling only for recent losses?
Grief counseling can be beneficial for recent losses as well as those experienced in the past. Individuals may seek counseling at any point during their grieving journey to address unresolved emotions or challenges.
Can grief counseling be done in a group setting?
Yes, group grief counseling is a common and effective approach. Group sessions provide a supportive environment where individuals can share experiences, gain insights, and find comfort in knowing they are not alone in their grief.
What techniques are used in grief counseling?
Grief counseling may involve various therapeutic techniques, including talk therapy, art therapy, and mindfulness. Therapists modify their methods to accommodate each person’s particular requirements and preferences.
Is grief counseling only for death-related losses?
No, grief counseling extends to various types of losses, including death, divorce, job loss, or any significant life change. The focus is on supporting individuals through the emotional impact of loss, regardless of its nature.
Can grief counseling prevent grief altogether?
Grief is a natural and individual process. While counseling can provide support and coping strategies, it does not prevent grief. Instead, it helps individuals navigate and manage their grief in a healthier and more constructive way.
How do I find a qualified grief counselor?
To find a qualified grief counselor, consider asking for recommendations from healthcare providers, reaching out to local mental health organizations, or using online directories. It’s important to choose a counselor experienced in grief support.
Is grief counseling covered by insurance?
Coverage for grief counseling varies by insurance provider and policy. It’s advisable to check with your insurance company to understand the extent of coverage for counseling services related to grief.
Main Areas and Towns Mindspace Counseling, PLLC Services in North Carolina:
Mindspace Counseling, PLLC also offers online therapy for adults in South Carolina, Florida, and internationally when permitted by licensing laws and regulations.