What exactly are grief and loss?
Grief includes the feelings or experiences about the loss of something in your life. Sometimes loss means the death of a loved one. Other times, loss refers to a life change. After this change or loss, you can feel grief. Grief can be triggered by a variety of circumstances, but the feelings associated with loss are universal for many. The loss could include:
- Death of a loved one, such as a spouse, parent, friend, or pet
- Adjusting to your or a loved one’s illness
- Feeling unsafe in your environment
- End of a relationship or friendship
- Change in job status or finances
- Infertility, miscarriage, stillbirth
- Disabilities of any kind
- Relocation
Grief forces you to see the world differently in the blink of an eye. The idea that one moment can change your life forever becomes a painful reality when you experience loss. Whether the loss was sudden or expected, nothing can prepare you for the grief that comes along with loss.
Loss leaves an unfillable void
Loss can make you feel as though you’re walking through life with anchors attached to your feet. The world seems different; you feel lost and unsure of how to cope. All you know is that you want nothing more than to go back (or forward) in time, even if only for a minute. If this is your first time experiencing loss, you wonder how you could possibly get through this. If you’ve experienced loss before, you might feel like you don’t have the strength to go through yet another loss.
The initial shock of loss is often followed by a disbelief of what is happening. Your mind goes in circles, wondering…
- Why is grieving so painful?
- Does grief ever stop hurting?
- Is it possible to survive grief?
- How do I cope with grief and loss?
- Why has life been so unfair to me?
- Do some people never get over grief?
Inconsolable Grief Can Take Over Your Life
You wonder how life can ever be the same again. The realization of your new reality can be shocking, painful, and scary. As the initial shock of loss begins to subside, grief begins to creep into your heart. Grief can bring to the surface a slew of messy emotions such as:
- Anger
- Anxiety
- Isolation
- Confusion
- Abandonment
- Inconsolable sadness
The right way to grieve
Grief following loss is a messy process. As you may have already found, there is no “How To” guide for surviving grief. Some days you feel okay and other days you can barely function. Grief can manifest itself physically by impacting…
- Sleep
- Muscle aches
- Concentration
- Physical activity
- Appetite and weight
The process is different for everybody. There is no one right way to grieve. Grief is like the ocean, where emotions come and go in waves. Coping with grief is much like learning how to swim; it takes time and practice to build strength over time. You learn what works for you and what doesn’t.
Grief counseling near Metuchen, NJ
Meeting with a New Jersey grief counselor can help you process and better understand the loss you’ve experienced. Grief therapy can also help you find a new “normal”, when the time comes. Finding strength and hope is possible with the right support, guidance, and an understanding of how to live this new version of your life. You don’t have to leave your feelings in the past to be able to move forward.
How to find a grief counselor near Metuchen, NJ
Whether this is your first time in therapy or not, we know that starting grief therapy in New Jersey is difficult. Your NJ grief counselor is here to meet you where you are in the grieving process. Your grief therapist will work with you to process how different your life is, and also find the strength to start rebuilding. Let’s not focus on “moving on”, but rather “moving forward” while keeping love in your heart.
Start grief therapy in New Jersey
We all deserve support in navigating life’s challenges. To get started, fill out a request form on our contact page. One of our compassionate team members will contact you within 1 business day (excluding holidays) for a phone consultation. The initial phone consultation is complimentary and helps us learn more about how we can help.
During the initial phone consultation, our compassionate team member will ask about what you’ve been struggling with, or what you hope to achieve in therapy. We will share information about each of our NJ therapists, including their specialties and availability.
If we’re a good fit for your needs, we match you with one of our New Jersey therapists. If either of us feel we are not the right fit, we can provide the names of other providers who may be able to help.
Trauma Therapy in New Jersey
Did you know that loss can sometimes result in trauma? Many times trauma can occur from unexpected, scary events, including the sudden loss of something special in your life. Traumatic loss alters your view of the world, others, yourself, safety, and sense of control. Furthermore, sometimes traumatic loss is not validated or acknowledged by those around you. This is what leads many people who have experienced loss to feel alone and isolated.
If any of this resonates with you, know that you’re not alone. Your struggles related to loss aren’t your fault. And you don’t have to figure it out alone anymore. Your New Jersey grief counselor is here to help you make sense of the traumatic loss you’ve experienced and find a way to heal. If you’re ready to make a change, contact us at our New Jersey counseling practice today.