Grief and Loss

Losing anyone is difficult and, while the pain we carry impacts us, it does not have to dictate our lives. Although often associated with death, grief can be experienced when we lose anything that is familiar or close to us, which can include divorce or a break-up, loss or limitation of our health, loss of employment or financial stability, death of a pet, retirement, loss of relative freedom, loss of safety after a traumatic event, or even something as subtle as transition itself.

Grief is the emotional suffering we feel when something or someone we love is taken away and it is a natural response to loss. Often, the pain of loss can feel overwhelming. We may experience all kinds of difficult and unexpected emotions, from shock or anger to disbelief, guilt, and profound sadness. The pain of grief can also disrupt our physical health, making it difficult to sleep, eat, or even think straight. These are normal reactions to loss—and the more significant the loss, the more intense the grief seems to be.

Therapy can help us learn how to grieve our losses and manage distressing emotions. The stress of any loss can deplete our energy or make us feel emotionally exhausted. An experienced therapist can help us find comfort and help restore balance when we feel relative instability.