Death and other forms of loss at best challenge and at worst violate our world view. To some extent we all get up each day assuming that the world is a relatively safe and predictable place - that our loved ones, our health and our work will continue to be there for us. Loss - especially sudden or catastrophic loss - confronts these beliefs, and we can feel profoundly upset and anxious having our 'assumptive world' disturbed. Human beings have a tendency to disbelieve or dismiss those events that threaten our assumptive world. This experience often corresponds to the early days of loss, when we feel in shock, and just can't accept the loss that has taken place. As we go through normal grief the reality of the loss begins to set in, sometimes causing a crisis of faith. So the process of grief is not just about mourning the absence of that which has been lost, but also a coming to terms with the disruption of our belief systems and faith. How well we cope with that challenge to our assumptive world will influence our emotional resilience and ability to rebound from the pain of loss.
Healing from grief involves continuous realizations and new meaning making. In particular, it is psychologically necessary to accept that the loss has occurred, and will likely transform some or all of our world view. To do good grief work we will likely find ourselves returning to and reviewing the loss over and over again. This is why grief is often described as a wave or spiral, and not a linear process. By repeatedly confronting our losses in healthy doses, rather than avoiding them, they become more real. Over time, new meaning and beliefs stemming from loss emerge and become integrated into the reality of our lives. For example, widows may discover that they can lead more independent lives or possibly marry again. People of faith may find that their spirituality becomes stronger. Grieving people need permission to change and adjust to their evolving belief systems and reconstructed lives. Group support or counselling can play a helpful role in providing comfort, reassurance and perspective as people adapt to the reality of their loss. For those experiencing a crisis of belief or faith, counselling can be an essential asset to recovering their psychological well being.
Glynis Sherwood MEd, CCC, is a Counselling Therapist specializing in recovery from long term loss, and chronic grief. For more information on how counselling can help you heal from Grief and Loss, contact me for a free 15 minute consultation. During that consultation we will discuss your situation, and how my counselling services can help you start to recover from the pain of grief and loss as soon as possible. You may contact me by telephone: 778-837-0616 or by email through my website: www.GlynisSherwood.com/grief-recovery-counselling.php My services are available in person in Vancouver Canada, or WorldWide by telephone or Skype. I look forward to hearing from you and helping you on the road to recovery!
With a twenty year history of counselling and consulting experience, I help people recover from Chronic Grief and Loss, Trauma, Addictions, Stress, Anxiety, Depression, and Workplace Bullying. My counselling services focus on helping people heal from emotional distress and injury, and help restore and strengthen the psychological well being of individuals and their loved ones. I provide counselling and consulting at my office in central Vancouver, and WorldWide by telephone and internet. My belief is that no matter how harmful grief, anxiety, psychological injury or addictions have been in your life, you can recover and live a life of happiness, fufillment and purpose!
