Loss and Grief
We grieve for the loss of a loved one–through death or the ending of a relationship. The pain can be monumentally difficult and is often accompanied by a range of 
excruciating feelings. Depending on the circumstances, people can feel depressed, sad, guilty, or angry. Life can become meaningless or confusing. For some, the symptoms associated with loss can be resolved relatively quickly, while for others it can last for exceedingly long periods of time. Adjusting to loss and grief can be straightforward for some people; let enough time pass and you will feel better. For others, time doesn’t seem to be of much help. The feelings persist and interfere with normal living. Some people go through the well-known stages of grief and mourning relatively smoothly, while others get stuck in one stage or another.
How Can Counseling Help?
Counseling for grief and loss can help in a number of ways. It can help to feel the support and understanding of a counselor who is working with you to cope with the immensely difficult feelings until they begin to subside. Counseling often encourages positive steps involving connecting with others, especially those who have gone through it themselves. Counseling can involve extensive discussions of the deceased that might help provide a connection that helps ameliorate the feelings of loss and sadness. Group counseling can be beneficial as we often find solace in the sharing and companionship of others.
