Our therapists offer grief & loss counseling in Baton Rouge, LA

"My go-to approach for helping people in grief & loss counseling is a less-is-more approach. I find the best benefit in acknowledging how much the loss hurts—nothing I can do or say will make that hurt less—and validating a person's right to grieve in their own way, because we're all unique beings. Yes, we as people are more similar than we are different, yet grief is a uniquely personalized experience that has to be allowed its own time, process, and rituals. I see my role in grief & loss counseling as one where I walk alongside the grief-stricken, holding space for them to share, vent, and emote/feel in a safe, nonjudgmental, non-rushing, confidential space, where even to sit in silence is understood and deemed cathartic."

"I teach the following tools in grief & loss counseling:

• Acceptance & commitment (ACT)
• Emotional regulation
• Healthy boundaries
• Emotional intelligence, or learning to accurately identify and describe nuanced emotions
• Reframing grief to a ""celebration of life"" concept that often involves a shift toward the loved one's life being well-lived vs focusing on the pain of their transition from human form. This often includes exploration of healthy rituals to honor the life of that loved one.

I know a client is making meaningful progress in grief & loss counseling when the client verbalizes that they are feeling better. There is no set timeframe for this to happen. It is different for everyone. Until this happens, we stay the course of processing the loss and its impact, along with any other life events that are bound to happen as a person is in the grieving process.

"Clients can supplement their time in grief & loss counseling with what I call ""lifework."" That involves assignments (direct and indirect) that are essential to the success & maintenance of therapy in general, regardless of the initial presenting issue (in this case, grief & loss). Specifically for death-related grief & loss, I supplement the client's time outside of session with my own compiled ""grief packet."" I give that to them once we both agree they're ready. It is self-paced work. As they begin completing assignments within the packet, we discuss and process further in sessions. I also encourage supplementing talk therapy with support groups, leaning on faith/beliefs, surrounding oneself with healthy natural supports (family, friends, colleagues), and selfcare (hot baths, paying bills on time, reading, taking time alone, spa services, getting out in nature, prayer, making poetry/music/art.. etc)."

"To prepare for their first grief & loss counseling session, an individual can come as they are, literally—come in whatever condition you find yourself in. That may mean you are sobbing uncontrollably; or numb with disbelief; or not showered in days, or not up to being ""presentable"" with hair in place, makeup, or a clean-shaven face, etc. They must be fully clothed, other than that...there is grace in a space where someone is overcome with grief. Be prepared for transparency: be open to emoting, crying, or moments of silent reflection, and be brutally honest about what you feel, including anger. It's all valid and often appropriate, yet understandably painful. This is your safe space, your refuge, your place to get what you need to move beyond debilitating emotional pain and into some level of acceptance (up to and including celebration of life)."