Grief and Loss

Grief is a natural response that occurs following the loss of someone or something you care deeply about.

Common sources of grief include:

• Bereavement

• Relationship breakdowns/ divorce

• Loss of a job

• Changes in health status

• Changes associated with ageing

• Loss of finances or assets

• Family members leaving home

• Moving to a new community

• Death of a pet

• Change in life stage

There is no right way to grieve and the timeline for grief can vary greatly. Your experience of grief is dependent on many factors such as the nature of the loss, your faith, your life experiences, your method of coping, and your personality. It is important care for yourself and be patient as you allow the grief process to progress naturally.

Grief can be enormously painful. You may become overwhelmed by a range of difficult emotions and it can feel as though you will never cease to be consumed by sadness and pain. These feelings are often a normal response to a significant loss and it takes time for the reality of the loss to be incorporated into one's life.  In most cases, people are able to overcome a period of grief and resume their normal life with a healthy sense of wellbeing.  However, some people may feel that they need extra support throughout the grief process or that they need help finding healthy ways to cope and move forward.  In some circumstances, the natural grieving process can generate secondary problems such as depression or anxiety.

Your clinician at Sovereignty counselling can offer assistance and support to people experiencing grief by providing individual, couple, or family counselling.  We can also address mental health issues that have developed in association with the grief or are interfering with the recovery process.

To find out more or to make an appointment, please contact us.