Therapy for Grief, Loss & Trauma in Phoenix, Throughout Arizona and South Carolina

Yes.   It may also be from financial changes, loss of health, moving, divorce. It can even show up in intangible ways – loss of safety, not having the birth experience you hoped for, loss of fertility or not being able to breastfeed.

It can.  During this time, our capability to care for ourselves can dip.  Because of this, we can be more susceptible to illness.  Grief can also worsen the health problems we already have.  The good news is that this doesn't have to be the case, but you may need support.

It's important to know that it can look different for each of us.  You might be crying or sobbing, trying to avoid reminders, have problems accepting the loss, have trouble focusing, problems or changes in your sleep, lack of energy, feelings of guilt, anger, emptiness or you may be questioning your beliefs, faith, choices or goals.

Grief may be too much when you are unable to focus on anything but the loss, have problems accepting the loss, have destructive behavior or persistent emotions of rage, or irritation.  Because everyone's experience is unique, grief may be too much when you feel like it is too much.

Grief hurts because it alters who we are. Our daily routines have changed. Our connections morph. People that we relied on vanish. People who we hardly knew or possibly didn't know at all can suddenly play a huge role in our life.  It also alters who we are, while somehow not having any effect on those around us - so we feel alone.  Isolated.  There can be a lot of questions and intense emotions can show up without any notice.

No.  While we tend to use the words interchangeably, grief is our personal thoughts and feelings about the loss.  Mourning is an action, ceremony or ritual we participate in because of the loss.  Simply put grief is internal, and mourning is external.