Bereavement Therapy
In 2016, I began training as a bereavement and grief practitioner through Nechama Grief Counseling, deepening my understanding of the pain, shock, disbelief, and profound sense of loss that can follow bereavement. I later continued my training with Dr. David Kessler’s Grief Educator Certification Program, further expanding my ability to support those navigating grief.
Through this work, I discovered something essential about myself: I am not afraid to sit with deep pain. In fact, I feel deeply called to it. It is a true honor for me to accompany others in their grief—to gently hold space for their loss and to walk alongside them as healing, in its own time, begins to emerge.
What is Bereavement Therapy?
As difficult as it is, at some point in our lives we will experience loss. A normal reaction that we have to loss, (of any type) is grief. Bereavement is a form of grief regarding the death of a loved one. Everyone’s response to loss is different, and one may experience a wide range of feelings which are all part of the process, for example; anger, shock, abandonment, deep sadness, loneliness or guilt.
According to Therese Rando, the stages of mourning move between four stages:
- Accepting the reality of the loss
- Working through the pain of grief
- Adjusting to life without the deceased
- Maintaining a ‘new’ connection with the deceased while moving on with life.
Within a nurturing context these feelings are explored and acknowledged, and given the time and permission to be felt and resolved. Bereavement counseling helps you adapt to your significant loss in a caring way, so that you can learn to live without that person in your life.
Who can benefit from bereavement therapy?
Anyone struggling to come to terms with their loss, or battling to cope or move forwards can benefit from bereavement therapy. The struggle could be in the form of physical effects like difficulty sleeping, eating or concentrating, or mental effects like despair or anxiety.
Often the support you need cannot, or does not come from those around you, which can be further overwhelming. Therapy offers you the safety, and support where you don’t have to be alone with your pain, hide your tears or feel as if you are a burden to those around you. The process of therapy, which is a compassionate, listening ear bearing witness to your pain, and what you have lost, helps your healing process.
My goal through bereavement therapy
This process takes place in a safe and confidential environment, allowing you the space to heal and unburden your pain.
I like to think of it as helping people see and feel that the relationship has not ended, but that it has changed. It will always be with you. People often say to me, “Why can’t I just move on.” The truth is, there has been a loss, and it needs to be integrated and mourned, so I prefer to think of it as “moving forward”, instead of “moving on”. As a caring, empathic bereavement counselor, I am here to accompany you as you navigate this transition and difficult process. My role is to walk with you in your time of grief and help you move through these stages at your pace.
Below is an interview I did around grief connected to loss of health and illness.
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