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Bereavement
Counselling For Bereavement, Loss and Grief In Southampton
Bereavement refers to the process of recovering from the death of a loved one. Loss can be the result of the end of a relationship, a job, home, friendship, etc. Grief is a reaction to any form of loss. All encompass a range of feelings from deep sadness to anger, and the process of adapting to a significant loss can vary dramatically from one person to another, depending on his or her background, beliefs, relationship to what was lost, and other factors.
What feelings are associated with Grief?
We grieve when something we are attached to is no longer there. Attachments come from a need for safety and security. When we lose a person , pet or object to which we are attached, we mourn its loss. Grief is associated with feelings of sadness, guilt, anger, anxiety, loneliness, depression. Some people may experience numbness, operating on auto-pilot, for others it can bring a sense of relief. The effects of grief can be huge and varied. It can feel overwhelming and for many the intensity of the reaction is frightening.
Grieving behaviours vary by individual such as crying, absent mindedness, over or undereating, sleep problems, excessive activities etc.
How individuals respond to loss may be influenced by who has died, the sort of relationship that existed between you, how the person died, the sort of person you are, any cultural traditions that may exist etc.
How can therapy for Bereavement help?
Grieving for someone or something we have lost follows a process, although not always in order and is always unique to the person. Stages of grief often involve denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. The counsellor can provide you with a safe, empathic and non-judgemental space to express your grief and all the feelings associated with it, some of which can be very painful. This can be difficult to express amongst friends or family especially when they may also be suffering from the same loss.
Each experience of grief is unique, complex, and personal, and treatment is tailored to meet the specific needs of each person.
There is no right or wrong way to experience grief, though some thoughts and behaviours after a loss can be more helpful or safe than others.
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