Grief, Loss, & Transition Counseling

Are You Overwhelmed By Grief? 

Are you struggling to adjust to the loss of a loved one, the end of a long-term relationship, retirement, a career change or an empty nest? Maybe this loss happened suddenly, and you feel distressed. You may find yourself with a lot of time to dwell in the absence, which leaves you feeling overwhelmingly lonely and directionless. As stress and sadness compound, you may be experiencing prolonged depression symptoms, including difficulty concentrating, eating regular meals or completing the tasks of the day.  

Alternatively, you may be experiencing a strange sense of relief that someone or something is now out of your life, especially if the relationship wasn’t a satisfying or healthy one. You may be confused about why you don’t feel sad, or you may have conflicting feelings of sadness, guilt and liberation. Regardless of the feelings that are coming up, you may be carrying unresolved questions about him or her. For example, you might be asking, “Did they even love me?” Or, “Was I enough?” 

Dealing with grief is often a terribly lonely and confusing experience. Heavy feelings of regret, disorientation and deep sadness can impair your ability to function well and connect with others. You may be dealing with a crisis of identity—feeling unsure of who you are, what you want or what to do next. And, you may not know where to turn for help, especially you’re afraid of burdening others with your grief. Regardless of your unique grieving process, you likely crave a better way to cope with grief and find a sense of balance and calm as you move into this new phase. 

We All Experience Grief, And We All Experience It Differently 

If you’re dealing with grief, you are not alone. At some point in all of our lives, we’re touched by the loss of someone or something important to us.

People often say the first year of grieving is the hardest, but that may not be true in your case. You may be struggling with the loss you experienced long ago. As time goes on, and you accept the loss, the ability to cope improves for almost everyone, but sometimes we need more support to help us find our way. 

Grief is not a straight path. Although we all experience it, we go through the grief process differently. Once you move through one phase, you may transition to another, only to find yourself cycling back to earlier feelings. This does not mean you are not moving forward. We often cycle back to older feelings as we learn to integrate our loss. 

These are not stops on a linear journey, but simply part of the framework that helps us identify and learn to live with what has been lost. The good news is you don’t have to go through this alone. Grief counseling can help you effectively work through difficult feelings, honor your loss and discover opportunities for improved coping, growth and self-discovery. 

Grief Therapy Is A Safe Container For You To Express And Honor Your Loss

Bereavement counseling can help you process heavy emotions in a safe, supportive environment. Most clients find that speaking with a counselor is not like talking with friends or family. In a nonjudgmental space—that is dedicated to you and your experience—you can openly express your emotions, memories, wants and needs. Here, you can be vulnerable and unconditionally supported as you grieve at your own pace. Together, you and your therapist can build a solid foundation for moving forward.

Because everyone’s grieving process is unique, your therapist will approach your process in a way that best supports you. Depending on your therapy goals, you may discuss everything from finding the motivation to eat well and exercise, to what the relationship means to you, to opportunities to engage with your community, to finding meaning from the loss. Your therapist might also help you come up with a ritual that allows you to honor the loss while you look forward towards the future. 

Through grounding and mindfulness techniques, you can learn to recognize heavy thoughts and unwanted behaviors and refocus to the present moment, where you can recognize peace and calm. With the right support and guidance, it’s possible to accept yourself—and the loss—and find relief. 

At Three Peaks Counseling, we’ve been working with clients struggling with grief and loss for over a decade. I know this may be one of the most difficult things you’ve ever gone through—and truly, the loss never goes away—but it is possible to deeply explore the relationship and its significance. Moving forward doesn’t mean forgetting. It simply means feeling more engaged and whole while you enter this new life phase.

You may have additional questions about grief and loss… 

How is talking about it going to ease my pain? 

Although there is no cure for grief—just like there is no cure for the common cold—grief counseling can help you gain insights about what’s gone, move forward and experience profound personal growth. When you’re able to release emotions at your own pace, with someone who unconditionally supports you, you can come to terms with the loss and work towards a fulfilling future. 

Therapy is also a place where you can closely examine the relationship with the person, object, life stage or idea that is gone now, and understand why certain feelings are coming up. Therapy can help you make better sense of your story, which can leave you with a greater sense of reliance and purpose. 

If grief therapy gets to be too much, you can always take a break. Your comfort, wants and needs will always be the focus of this work. 

I understand that grief is a process. How exactly does therapy aid in this process? 

Therapy, very simply, provides you with an ally so that you don’t have to go through this alone. Most folks find that talking with friends and family about overwhelmingly difficult emotions is helpful. However, there are times that we monitor our thoughts and feelings for fear of adding to the grief of others. Or, we may have feelings to express that are not helpful for friends and family to hear. Here, you have a space that is completely dedicated to you and your grieving process. 

Other people seem able to overcome their losses. Why can’t I? 

Everyone’s path to healing and acceptance is different. The relationship you had with the person that is gone was unique to you two. So, your grieving process isn’t necessarily going to look like anyone else’s. 

Not only that, but we have no idea what other people are going through. Oftentimes what people show on the surface doesn’t match what’s going on below. 

The truth is, grief can be heavy and burdensome, and it’s something we go through at some point. With that being said, you deserve the space and time to process overwhelming emotions. You deserve to feel well. You deserve the support you crave. 

Honor Your Loss And Begin To Move Forward

If you have additional questions or concerns about grief counseling, we invite you to call (720) 425-1111. Click on the links to learn more about our providers who specialize in grief counseling. If you know who you would like to work with, you are welcome to contact that counselor directly to schedule an appointment. Three Peaks Counseling offices are located in Thornton and Northglenn, Colorado. 

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