Grief Counseling in Seattle
“No one ever told me that grief felt so like fear.” – C.S. Lewis
Grief most commonly occurs after loss of a loved one. It can also occur after physical or emotional trauma, the end of a personal or work relationship, or a lost opportunity. Without treatment, symptoms of grief will take over your life. Working with trained professionals to help navigate grief using proven treatment plans gives you an opportunity to recover and navigate your ‘new normal’ life. Our experienced Seattle grief counselors work with you 1-on-1 using proven therapeutic techniques to help you process your thoughts and emotions. Schedule your free initial consultation today.
Seattle Grief Counselors
What Is Grief Counseling?
Grief is simply described as a response to loss. Anyone who has experienced grief knows that it’s an acutely painful response. It’s often embodied both emotionally and physically.
Grief can come in many colors and is a distinct experience, even compared to depression. While we most commonly associate grief with the loss of a loved one, grief is an emotion and an experience associated with loss of any form.
Causes of Grief
- Loss of a relationship
- Job loss
- Physical Trauma
- Emotional Trauma
- Loss of a loved one
- Loss of a beloved pet
- Family strain
- Miscarriage or stillbirths
- Lost opportunities
- Bad relationship(s) that keeps us from healthy ones
- Wishing we would have gone to college or taking that promotion
- The childhood we could have had/deserved
- Things left unsaid to loved one/pet
Why Grief Counseling Is Important
Grief counseling is important as it can help us navigate the loss and desensitize the symptoms of grief. As grief comes in all shapes and sizes, make sure to be aware of trauma-informed therapies as well.
Emotional Symptoms include:
- Shock and Disbelief
- Confusion
- Feeling Numb
- Denial
- Sadness
- Despair
- Loneliness
- Feeling Empty
- Guilt
- Regret
- Shame
- Anger
- Resentment
- Irritability
- Lack of motivation
- Loss of interest in activities
- Neglecting responsibilities like work or family
- Suicidal Thoughts
- Anxiety
- Helplessness
- Insecurity
- Fear
Physical symptoms include:
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Sickness
- Weight Loss or GaiMusclele Tension
- Nightmares
- Heart Palpitations
- Trouble Breathing
- Feeling Faint or Lightheaded
- Insomnia
How To Tell If Your Need Grief Counseling
When the emotional and/or physical pain starts to interfere with your relationships, responsibilities, and/or quality of life, it is probably time to come to therapy to process your grief.
It is especially important to talk to a therapist if you are unable to healthily cope with the pain of your loss. When coping strategies become maladaptive (unhealthy) they can only compound the impact of the grief. Examples of maladaptive coping behaviors are numbing/avoidance behaviors like substance use, disappearing into your phone or social media, eating too much or too little, spending too much money
Why Grief Counseling is Important
Grief and death is something that is not talked about enough. Often times when we lean on well-intentioned friends and family they are unsure of how to support us or do so in ways that create more harm. Grief counseling offers you a safe and compassionate place to talk with an educated professional who possesses the knowledge and vocabulary to effectively meet you where you are in the grief process and show you the path
What Happens In Grief Counseling?
Grief counseling is a safe and compassionate place to process the pain of the emotional and physical impacts of loss. Whatever you are feeling right now is okay and valid. In grief counseling, you will learn healthy coping strategies to navigate the painful emotions that come with loss. Counseling also gives you the space to create meaning of the loss and identify ways to honor the loss of a loved one.
When there is a severe and traumatic loss, trauma septic interventions like EMDR and hypnotherapy can be extremely helpful.
When To Start Grief Counseling?
There is no time limit on the grieving process. Grief counseling can be effective at any point after the loss. Whether is as been a couple of days or many years, grief counseling is effective.
Grief Counseling Pricing
Counseling creates a space for you to experience healing and progress in a way that can change your life. But of course, it’s also an investment of both time and finances. When you’re ready to commit to healing and transformation, here is what you can expect.
Standard individual session
(50 minutes) $190
Insurance
We do not participate with any insurance panels. Anchor Light Therapy Collective is considered an out-of-network provider.
As a courtesy to any individual clients who wish to utilize their insurance benefits, We are happy to verify your out-of-network plan benefits to tell you what portion, if any, may be covered by your health insurance provider.