Grief Counseling

[WEDWDW]

Have you ever used Grief Counseling for the passing of a loved one?

If do did you find it helpful?

 

[bettertheangel]

So I have been going to therapy since 2011. When my husband passed in 2020, I found that while my therapist was helpful, I needed something more. I attended group therapy that had a focus on grief and it was helpful to be around those who could understand my loss.

 

[Mizzoufan]

Id highly recommend Grief Share

 

[Kitty 34]

No I haven't but if you're in need for one, OP I certainly hope it's helpful.

 

[LuvOrlando]

Not sure if this is for you or someone you care about but if it is for you, my condolences.

My cousin passed at an early age from Pancreatic Cancer and his widow wasn't comfortable with one on one therapy but she did take great comfort from her Church based grief support group. Turns out many group meetings like this are group therapy and it helps people a lot even if they just show up and listen, its ok if a person doesn't share, there is benefit in listening as well. From what I saw the group helped her a lot as she moved through grief.

 

[PollyannaMom]

Have you ever used Grief Counseling for the passing of a loved one?

If do did you find it helpful?

I have not personally, but I know a couple of people who have, and they did find it helpful.

 

[Snowysmom]

I did grief therapy after my DH passed and it helped me. What really helped was going to a local grief group which was small but had a great grief counselor as the facilitator. She had several years experience at Hospices. I ended up talking with her several times one on one and it was amazing. She really helped me get through some issues that were keeping me stuck. Both worked for me.

 

[mommasita]

Have you ever used Grief Counseling for the passing of a loved one?

If do did you find it helpful?

I did try, but to be fair I should have tried harder, but just didn’t have it in me.
Sending you love

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Sending you prayers and a hug.

 

[kanne323]

I did try, but to be fair I should have tried harder, but just didn’t have it in me.
Sending you love

As a grief counselor, I'd like to gently say that there's no should or should not in grief counseling. It's helpful for some people, and not helpful for others, and can be overwhelming and too much when you're in acute grief. It sounds like it wasn't right for you at that time. Grief is chaotic and messy and really takes a toll on executive functioning skills and motivation, so participating in grief counseling/how hard one tries is something one doesn't often have all that much control over.

For the OP, I'd be happy to answer any questions you might have from my side of things, though I do think other people's experiences are more of what you're looking for. There's nothing wrong with trying and it should always come without a required commitment- you can't fail grief counseling, so it's totally okay to try a session and then decide if it's a good fit or not. I would highly recommend checking local non-profit hospice organizations to see if they offer grief counseling or know of people who do, and just be aware that grief counseling is generally not typical therapy, as we do not diagnose or treat a condition, as grief is not pathological. Grief counseling should involve a safe, confidential space to process the loss, your grief, and everything that goes along with it, as well as psychoeducation and a whole lot of validation, and working on building coping mechanisms.