Common Questions
What if I don’t realize I am grieving?
A) This is a very common occurrence. Many individuals are grieving and depressed yet not aware.
Below are examples that may result in grief.
- Health issues – injury, short-term illness, long-term illness, chronic illness
- Relationship changes – divorce, war, trauma, miscarriage, empty nest, loss of pet
- Job/School changes – new job/new school, unemployment, demotion, retirement
- Death of a loved one – accident, long-term illness, suicide, homicide
What can I expect from working with My Guiding Light Counseling?
A) An individual session will be 50 minutes long in a comfortable, safe environment where you can share your confidential story.
How can I understand the grief process?
A) Grieving is a normal reaction to trying to make sense and cope with the loss of something or someone in our lives. Loss is a universal experience. Loss can be of a person, friendship, job, expectation, major change in one’s life. Grieving the death of a loved one is unique for each person. There is no timeline of how long it will last. Grief does not end, but it does change. You are never “over it.” I look at the uniqueness of my clients and their experience with loss and grief. I am there for my clients as they tell their story of loss, and I help them create a new story of who they are today.
Dr. Alan Wolfelt’s Bereaved Reconciliation Needs:
1. Acknowledge the reality of the death.
2. Embrace the feelings.
3. Remember the person.
4. Develop a new identity without the person living.
5. Find meaning.
6. Get ongoing support.
Will I ever feel happy again?
A) Yes, I believe you can go on your grief journey and you will find hope and happiness again. I believe you will find your new normal. The human spirit is strong and resilient.