”Will I ever feel like myself again?”
When your entire world has been shattered, an intentional and often intense restructuring process becomes necessary. Your loss may involve feelings of helplessness, shock, or real danger that activates your nervous system and keeps it locked in that heightened state. Everything can feel overwhelming, disorienting, and confusing. At times this experience is terrifying and emotionally depleting. Therapy and the support of others are essential to help you get through this period. Learning to recognize yourself once again provides shelter and steadiness to your overwhelmed body and mind.
I am a Certified Grief Facilitator. Your time with me will be centered around compassionate, focused support as you navigate the complexities of loss and bereavement. Together we will:
Identify and express feelings of anger, guilt, fear, anxiety, and sorrow.
Learn how to hold your story—when to share it and when to protect it.
Give time and space for grief and its expression.
Explore defenses, coping mechanisms, and ways to restore safety and regulation.
Grief can take many forms depending on what is lost, how it was lost, and the relationship to that loss. Understanding different types of grief helps normalize reactions and guides what kind of support or therapy may be most helpful. Recognizing which type(s) of grief someone is experiencing can clarify expectations for recovery and guide supportive steps.
Anticipatory grief: Grief experienced before an expected loss, such as when a loved one has a terminal illness or a pregnancy with unwanted outcomes. People may begin mourning in advance, experiencing sadness, worry, and changes in planning or attachment.
Normal (uncomplicated) grief: Strong sorrow, yearning, and waves of pain that gradually decrease in intensity over time. People usually retain their sense of self and can still function in daily life, though with difficulty at times.
Complicated (prolonged) grief: Persistent, intense grief that interferes with functioning for an extended period and does not improve. Symptoms may include constant disbelief, inability to accept the death, severe avoidance, or persistent longing that disrupts work and relationships.
Traumatic grief: Grief that occurs alongside trauma, such as when a death is sudden, violent, or preventable. It often includes symptoms of post-traumatic stress (intrusive images, hypervigilance) in addition to bereavement.
Disenfranchised grief: Grief that isn’t socially acknowledged or supported—examples include the loss of an ex-partner, pregnancy loss, loss of a pet, or losses related to stigmatized relationships. Because others may minimize or dismiss the loss, the griever can feel isolated and unsupported.
Ambiguous loss: Loss that is unclear or lacks closure, such as when a person is physically absent but psychologically present (e.g., missing person, dementia). Ambiguity makes it difficult to resolve grief because there is no definite ending.
Cumulative or compounded grief: Multiple losses occurring in a short time or unresolved previous losses that make current grieving more intense and complex. This can overwhelm coping resources and heighten risk of complicated grief.
Secondary losses: Indirect losses that accompany a primary loss, such as loss of financial security, identity, role, daily routines, or social status. These secondary changes can prolong or complicate the grieving process.
Existential or spiritual grief: Grief related to loss of meaning, faith, or sense of purpose after a major loss. People may question beliefs or struggle with existential anxiety.