Grief counseling in Charlottesville, VA

Katybeth: I work primarily with clients who are grieving the loss of relationships, whether that's a parent, a sibling, or a partner, as a result of the client setting boundaries or advocating for themselves in the relationship and the other party has a negative response. There are myriad related topics addressed as well, such as family dynamics, abuse cycles, and substance use/addiction issues.

Sharon: There is not one 'best' approach to grief counseling because each person experiences it in their own way. Grief counseling and grief therapy are different, so the timing and interventions are tailored to the person's needs. The most important approach in my opinion is to actively listen as they allow you into their story.

: My approach for helping people in grief and loss counseling is companioning the bereaved. Listening with the heart while honoring the spirit leads to meaning-making in the loss.

Katybeth: When I'm working with a client who is in grief and loss, I use psychoeducation to help the client understand what is happening, which helps them feel validated and normalized in their emotional experiences. I help them build skills to reframe distressing thoughts, begin to make some sense out of the loss, and see from different perspectives.

Sharon: In grief counseling, techniques are individualized and include active listening, validation of feelings, mindfulness exercises, role-play, identifying problems, and establishing new normal routines. Clients are encouraged to talk about their loss and bring photos, letters, jewelry, etc., to their session. As odd as it sounds, there is often humor involved in the process. Other tools include grieving rituals, mindfulness exercises, getting enough sleep, and maintaining healthy habits, including eating, journaling, drawing, and worksheets.

: I encourage the use of Dr. Alan Wolfelt's books and journals as aids in walking through the journey of loss and mourning.

Katybeth: I know a client is making meaningful progress in grief & loss counseling when they can stop venting/obsessing about the initial distress and begin to get curious about themselves in response to the loss. Also, progress looks like utilizing coping skills in real-time to help with emotional regulation.

Sharon: One way to tell that a client is making meaningful progress is when they begin to be able to talk about the loss in happy ways and move away from seeing only the sad aspects. They become more engaged in daily activities, release beliefs of self-blame, allow themselves to have fun, and set both shot- and long-term goals.

: In grief and loss counseling, clients will find themselves feeling less burdened and heavy with emotion as their pain has been witnessed and they have been given the space to process without judgment.

Katybeth: Clients can supplement their time in grief & loss counseling with journaling. It is one of the most effective and accessible ways to increase self-awareness and process thoughts. There are also grief and loss workbooks published by licensed professionals that are available in bookstores and online.

Sharon: In their personal time, clients can create a memory book, write an unsent letter to their loved one, participate in meditation or a yoga class, and seek spiritual support if appropriate. I strongly encourage attending a grief group and suggest this when someone knows they are going to die, both for the dying person and the family.

: To supplement grief counseling, I encourage journaling, engaging in activities that bring pleasure to provide breaks from the heaviness of the loss, avoiding isolation by seeking social support (possibly through grief groups or supportive friends or organizations), and engaging in mindfulness practices.