Our therapists offer grief & loss counseling in Raleigh, NC

Greif and loss are a natural part of all human life, as are the variety of emotions experienced in relation to the loss. Therefore, my approach to grief and loss counseling focuses on helping individuals identify, understand, and express the emotions they are experiencing. I work to help individuals find meaningful ways to express their emotions and to help them find strategies to navigate life while experiencing grief.

Some of the tools that I use in grief and loss counseling include:

• Discussing the experience of grief: Understanding common emotions, thoughts, and experiences of grief can provide validation and understanding of one's own experience.
• Reflective journaling: This skill can help individuals identify, express, and understand the thoughts and emotions they are experiencing related to the loss. It can also assist individuals in organizing their thoughts to share their experiences with others.
• Symbolic activities: These are activities that have meaning to the individual and help them to reflect on the loss. This can include activities such as assembling a photo album, planting flowers, writing letters, or other activities that promote remembrance.

I encourage my clients to set aside intentional time for reflection between sessions. Grief is often associated with a variety of emotional states, and practicing intentional reflection can provide additional insight into each of those thoughts and emotions. Aside from reflection, I also encourage my clients to discuss their thoughts and emotions related to grief with trusted individuals who may have also experienced the loss, such as family members or friends. This can help you to reflect on shared memories and emotions while experiencing grief.

One thing that I would encourage anyone considering grief and loss counseling to do is to come to counseling with a willingness to share your whole experience. I understand that for many people grief and loss come with a lot of complex emotions that may not always be pleasant to talk about. I would want you to understand that there is no judgment toward any emotions that you may be feeling, and all of your emotions are valid.