Our therapists offer grief & loss counseling in Flowood, MS

When working with those who are dealing with grief and loss, my therapeutic approach is tailored to that client. Some clients respond well to narrative therapy, whereas some may be less verbal, and an experiential approach may be more suitable. I have found it in the best interest of the client to let them set the pace. As with any trauma, grief and loss is an especially sensitive area, and I strongly believe therapy should aid in the healing process, not hinder it.

"Some of the tools I teach in grief and loss counseling:

• Cognitive restructuring and acceptance: Teaching our mind to unlearn one norm and learn a new norm. The goal is not to forget your loved one, but to create other ways to incorporate them into your life moving forward.
• Grief journaling: Placing our thoughts and feelings on paper when verbalizing is too difficult.
• Self-care and self-calming: Utilizing techniques such as mindfulness, meditation, and guided imagery to help us when we feel we are on an emotional rollercoaster with no end.

In my experience with grief and loss counseling, I can tell when the client is progressing when they reach a milestone they once said they could never see themselves reaching, i.e. not becoming emotional when telling a story about their loved one, being able to have pictures or other memorabilia in the home, repurposing a loved one's bedroom, donating loved one's items to charity, etc.

In addition to grief and loss counseling, clients can supplement their time by going to a grief support group in their community, volunteering, or taking up a new hobby that they will have to learn, which can serve as a healthy redirection when needed.

In preparation for their first grief and loss session, I encourage getting in the mindset of not placing themselves on a strict timeframe to complete the process and to cut themselves some slack. No one person grieves the same, and there is no cookie-cutter grief process.