Houston Grief Counseling

Grief is a normal, universal response to loss in one's life. The more significant the experienced loss, the more severe the experience of grief may be. Below are common occurrences that result in grief and loss.

• death of a loved one

• death of a pet

• miscarriage

• infertility

• break-up or divorce

• children leaving home

• separation from friends or family

• job loss

• disability or chronic health condition

Grief often includes acute physiological distress, separation anxiety, obsessive dwelling on the past, and worries about the future. Below are common emotions associated with grief and loss.

• Sadness

• Relief

• Yearning

• Panic

• Denial

• Guilt

• Numbness

• Shock

• Anger

• Despair

Grief is a process of learning that teaches us how to be in the world in the absense of something we love. We may be abrublty forced to operate under a new set of rules and make significant adjustments to our identity and sense of self. There is no set pattern to the grief process; everyone experiences grief uniquely and on a different timetable.

When to consider professional help for grief and loss:

• When you lack a healthy support system in which to process your grief

• When overwhelmed and unable to function in daily life (work, school, self-care, etc.)

• When grief triggers a mental health condition, like depression or anxiety

• When having thoughts of suicide

• When grief persists more than 6-months after the loss

Approximately 1 in 10 grieving people develop Prolonged Grief Disorder. Without treatment, research shows the condition can persist indefinitely and result in other troubles, like chemical dependency, suicidality, sleep disorders, and a weakened immune system.

Treatment of grief and loss can help and may address the below tasks.

• Provide psychological education about the grief process

• Identify and validate your thoughts and feelings

• Address the impact of the loss on your life

• Identify any negative coping skills

• Develop positive coping skills

• Help you build your support system

• Set realistic goals

• Plan to deal with setbacks

There are trained therapists at The Resilience Center of Houston that can walk with you on your grief journey. With empathy and expertise, we're here to help.