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Wendy Krull

Hear from Wendy Krull, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

View Wendy Krull's profile

What is your go-to approach for grief & loss counseling?

My go-to approach for beginning therapy for individuals experiencing grief & loss would begin with a narrative of the loss and exploration of feelings around the loss. I teach the stages of grief (with its limitations), emphasize the non-linear process of grief, and normalize that we all process this differently, with no “correct” time frame attached. Then, cognitive behavioral interventions may help people identify any negative thought patterns and work to change things so healing may begin for the person.

What tools do you teach in grief & loss counseling?

I teach the following tools in grief & loss therapy:

  • Narrative therapy: Telling the story; normalizing the feelings.
  • Cognitive restructuring: Changing distorted thinking and replacing stressful/worried thoughts with balanced ones. This can also give back a sense of control when there is usually none in loss.
  • Cognitive defusion: Letting negative thoughts come and go without “buying into them.”
  • Journaling/art: Using healthy outlets to process grief and develop insights.
  • Creating meaning: Mementos/memory books/rituals to remain connected to a loved one and honor that person.

How do you know when a client is making meaningful progress in grief & loss counseling?

I teach the following tools in grief & loss therapy:

  • Narrative therapy: Telling the story; normalizing the feelings.
  • Cognitive restructuring: Changing distorted thinking and replacing stressful/worried thoughts with balanced ones. This can also give back a sense of control when there is usually none in loss.
  • Cognitive defusion: Letting negative thoughts come and go without “buying into them.”
  • Journaling/art: Using healthy outlets to process grief and develop insights.
  • Creating meaning: Mementos/memory books/rituals to remain connected to a loved one and honor that person.

What can clients do in their personal time to supplement grief & loss counseling?

Clients can supplement their grief & loss counseling with journaling, engaging in exercise and good nutrition to build protective factors during this time, and tracking their thoughts, feelings, and body sensations throughout the day for discussion and exploration in sessions.

What should someone do to prepare for starting grief & loss counseling?

To prepare for the first grief & loss counseling session, an individual can begin thinking about which area of life or symptoms are causing them the most pain/interference. They could consider the goals of their therapy, and how they will know when grief & loss therapy is complete. This is helpful for both clients and clinicians to track progress and have clear goals for the therapeutic process.

Starting Grief & loss counseling

What type of counseling is needed when a person cannot get over the grief of losing a loved one?

Grief and loss counseling helps people grieve difficult losses including the death of a loved one, the loss of a job, or the end of a relationship. It helps people navigate their grief process and eventually accept, understand, and move forward from their loss. Thriveworks grief therapists in Asheville, NC have specific experience, training, and skills that enable them to best support grieving individuals.

How does grief and loss counseling work?

Grief and loss counseling isn’t one-size-fits-all, but it involves sharing about your loss and then working with your counselor to acknowledge and accept your new reality in its wake. Your provider at Thriveworks in Asheville, NC will design your treatment plan around your unique needs and goals for therapy, applying the counseling techniques that best support them.

Signs I should seek grief counseling

If you have recently experienced an event like the death of a loved one, a breakup or divorce, the loss of a job, or another major life change, then you may want to seek grief and loss counseling. Grief can be caused by many experiences and events, so if you feel that you are having trouble moving on from a certain event or find that it is still impacting your life and functioning, grief and loss counseling can help you process it more effectively so that you can move on and once again find fulfillment and satisfaction in your life.

What counseling theory is best for grief?

There are many counseling theories for treating grief, one of the most frequently used being the dual process model of grief which helps people acknowledge who or what they’ve lost through rumination while also adjusting to the new roles and identities that this loss has now placed on them. There are also many commonly used therapy approaches used in grief and loss counseling, including Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and traumatic grief therapy.

Is grief counseling conducted in person or online?

Grief & loss counseling at Thriveworks is conducted both in person and online by video. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you.

How long does grief counseling last?

For many, grief and loss counseling lasts for about 6 months. For others, it may last shorter or longer, depending on the severity of their loss and their grief.

Need more help deciding?

Grief Therapy in Asheville, NC—Counseling for Loss, Bereavement, and Mourning

One of life’s most painful experiences might be when a loved one passes away. A loved one’s death can trigger grief, but people also experience grief after other kinds of losses—moving, divorce, death of a pet, job change, to name a few.

Everybody, unfortunately, will experience grief at some point in life because loss is common, and many people have found the help they need to cope with grief from a licensed therapist. Thriveworks Asheville, NC grief counselors have supported and empowered many clients in working through a significant loss. Grief therapy is not a quick-fix, but many people are glad they took the time and effort to process their grief with the help of a professional’s care and expertise. Reach out today for help.

The Experience of Grief and Loss

Loss often surprises people. It can be sudden and unexpected. One moment, life is normal. The next moment, it is not. A diagnosis, a natural disaster, or an accident are a few examples where life can change without any prior notifications. However, people can also plan for some losses. When people move, make a career change, or become empty-nesters, they have often prepared for months or even years. Yet, people often also feel loss during these anticipated changes.

A loss of any kind can trigger grief, and people usually think of grief as a singular emotion: deep sadness. But experientially, grief is often a combination of many different feelings. Anyone who is grieving may be feeling one or more of these emotions:

  • Anger
  • Helplessness
  • Loneliness
  • Guilt
  • Sorrow
  • Relief
  • Confusion
  • Impatience
  • Restlessness
  • Numbness
  • Regret
  • Fatigue
  • Shock
  • Apathy
  • Yearning

It’s important for people who are grieving to pay attention to what they are feeling. If you have recently experienced a loss, have you also felt one or more of the emotions on this list? Know that all emotions are valid and important. As people allow themselves to feel any emotion that may arise, grief can become exhilarating one moment and exhausting the next. Often, people refer to this experience as the grief cycle because grief can feel like a journey.

When Is It Time to Ask for Help?

Grief often brings mental health problems with it. Unaddressed, these mental health challenges can remain in people’s lives, adding difficulty to difficulty. Consider asking for help to cope with a loss if you are also experiencing…

  • Obsessive fixation upon the circumstances of a death.
  • The onset or relapse of an addiction.
  • Apathy that makes participating in daily life feel impossible.
  • Avoiding anything that may be a reminder of the loss.
  • Panic attacks or acute anxiety.
  • Overwhelming anger or resentment.
  • Out of control emotions.
  • Depression.

Scheduling Counseling Appointments for Grief and Loss

Has grief disrupted your normal life? Is daily life challenging because you are dealing with a loss? Thriveworks Asheville grief counseling is ready to provide support during your grief journey.

Many people think long and hard before making that first call to schedule an appointment for grief therapy. We understand, so we have made the process as easy as we could. If you call Thriveworks Asheville, NC you will reach a scheduling specialists—a real person who can assist you and schedule your first appointment. Oftentimes, we can see first time clients within the week of their call. We also work with most insurance providers.

Are you ready to process the loss and find healing? If you are ready, we are too. Call Thriveworks Asheville, NC.

Pricing & insurance

Our therapists accept most major insurances. We accept 585+ insurance plans, and offer self-pay options, too.
Learn more about pricing for therapy and counseling services at Thriveworks.

Our Asheville therapists and counselors accept 26 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina | BCBS

  • Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina | BCBS Medicare Advantage

  • Carelon

  • Caresource

  • Carolina Behavioral Health Alliance (CBHA)

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth EAP

  • Cigna | Evernorth Medicare Advantage

  • Compsych

  • First Health Network

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Self-pay costs at Asheville
Talk therapy

Talk therapy

Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Talk therapy

Psychiatry

Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Hear from our clients

5.0 Learn about verified reviews
★★★★★
Shannon is such a God send. I am so thankful to be working with her. I look forward to healing with her.
Read more Shannon is such a God send. I am so thankful to be working with her. I look forward to healing with her.
Diane Feb 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Andrew is very intelligent and clearly understands how to make important connections and provide resources!
Read more Andrew is very intelligent and clearly understands how to make important connections and provide resources!
Francisco Jan 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Asheville is off of Patton Avenue, and near Thirsty Monk and Jerusalem Garden Cafe. Across the street is Pritchard Park and Sonora Cocina Mexicana.

Phone number

(828) 523-9140

Languages spoken by NC providers

  • English
Sunday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Monday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Tuesday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Wednesday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Thursday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Friday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Saturday 8:00am - 9:00pm

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Sunday 8:00am - 5:00pm
Monday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Tuesday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Wednesday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Thursday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Friday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Saturday 7:00am - 6:00pm

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