Eye Movement Desensitization & Processing

What is Grief Counseling / Bereavement?

Grief counseling, also known as bereavement therapy, is a type of therapy intended to help you cope with a loss, such as the death of a partner, family member, friend, colleague, or pet.

The death of a loved one can cause emotional and physical pain that can sometimes impair your ability to function. Grief counseling can include working with a counselor, therapist, psychologist or support group to deal with your feelings.

In the short term, grief counseling can help you move past the effects of the loss and make practical decisions, such as arrangements for the funeral. In the long term, it can help you come to terms with the loss of a loved one and adjust to life without it.

Types of Grief Counseling / Bereavement

Grief counseling can help people of all ages deal with grief and other emotions that are part of the normal reaction to losing someone.

However, you may benefit from the other forms of therapy if your grief is overwhelming and you find it difficult to cope.

Grief Counseling / Bereavement Treatment

This form of therapy can help address behavioral and physical problems you may encounter in the aftermath of a loss. It can also help if you can’t emotionally separate yourself from the person who passed away

Complex grief therapy

Complicated grief is a condition in which grief controls you and does not let you go. It can lead to worrying thoughts, ineffective behaviors, and difficulty regulating emotions, making it difficult for you to adjust to life without your loved one.

Complex grief therapy (CGT) is a form of psychotherapy that can help you deal with this type of grief.

Traumatic grief treatment

You may feel agonizing grief if you suddenly lose a loved one or if you witness their death.

Traumatic grief therapy can help you deal with the severity of your grief, reduce symptoms of trauma, and provide you with coping skills.

Technologies

Grief counseling involves talking about the person you lost, your relationship with them, how they died, how their death affected you, and how you deal with them.

These are some of the techniques grief counselors or therapists may use:

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): ACT is a form of psychotherapy that encourages you to accept negative feelings and circumstances so you can begin to focus on healthy patterns that can help you reach your goals.
  • Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): Cognitive behavioral therapy is also a form of psychotherapy. It involves identifying and changing thought patterns that can negatively affect your behavior.
  • Group therapy: This type of therapy is performed in a group. It can be comforting to share your feelings with other people who are going through the same thing as you and working towards recovery together.
  • Art therapy: Art therapy uses creative forms to express your feelings and promote healing. It can be beneficial for people of all ages, including children, who may struggle to express their feelings.
  • Play therapy: Play therapy is often used to help gain insight into a child’s thoughts and feelings in order to help them process unresolved feelings and build constructive behavior patterns.

What grief counseling can help with?

Grief counseling can help you recognize and express your feelings. If you have lost someone who was an the integral part of your life, grief counseling can also help you rebuild your routine and identity.

Express your feelings

In the aftermath of a loss, you may experience a range of feelings that can include:

  • shock
  • numbness
  • Sadness
  • yearning
  • anger
  • denial
  • impotence
  • Contrition
  • guilt
  • Worry

For example, you may not only feel sad about the loss of a loved one, but you may also feel angry at them for leaving you. Maybe you regret something you told them before they died.

Grief counseling can provide a safe space for you to express and process your feelings so you can begin to recover. You may find that you experience these feelings at different stages; Grief counseling can help you navigate each stage and reach acceptance.

 

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  • Depression

    Depression. The effects of major depressive disorder include loss of interest, depressed mood, inability to feel pleasure, and feelings of inappropriate self-worth.
  • Trauma

    Past trauma including past abuse are often the underlying causes and deep-rooted issues behind a lot of the personal problems that individuals face. Traditional counseling & EMDR therapy can help.
  • Grief Counseling

    The death of a loved one causes emotional and physical pain that impairs your ability to function normally in both the short- and long-term.
  • Relationship Issues

    One-on-one counseling for relationship issues can be an effective way to restore your happiness.
  • Anger Management

    Anger becomes becomes a problem for individuals when you express the anger in a way that causes harm to others or yourself.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) & Mental Health Service Provider (MHSP) in Tennessee

I have worked with individuals and families throughout Tennessee on the personal issues that trouble them for over 15 years. From managing depression and dealing with grief to addressing past trauma, anger and relationship issues, I am here to help.  The reason I mention EMDR Therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing) so much in relation to dealing with personal issues is because EMDR therapy works quickly to help the therapist find the deep-rooted problems and traumas that are the cause of many issues.

Steven Lepley LPC, MHSP

Steven Lepley LPC, MHSP

Licensed in Tennessee

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor, Mental Health Services Provider & EMDR Therapist offering virtual telemedicine appointments throughout all of Tennessee.

Ask me about my experience & how I can help you address the challenges you are facing. Call me or text me at 615.330.2659.