It is common for individuals to seek psychotherapy in times of grief. The death of a loved one is perhaps the single most intensive emotional experience an individual must face. These feelings can be quite debilitating and disorganizing. While grieving, an individual may exerience any of the following:
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sleep disruption
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deep spiritual questioning
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intense anger
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fear about one’s own health, aging or death
- difficulties working
- relationship strain
The therapist can help explore seemingly insurmountable feelings of pain and loss by providing a stable context from which to understand the natural process of grief. Oftentimes grieving individuals must continue to maintain normal functioning in their careers or simple day-to-day tasks, and feel unable to experience their pain at its deepest levels. As psychotherapy has shown, the more the individual is able to truly experience, accept and safely work through her intense feelings of loss and suffering, the better she is prepared to move beyond the pain and fully re-engage her life.