Grief is personal. So is healing.
Grief doesn’t follow a predictable timeline or a set of stages—it’s deeply personal and affects each of us differently. Counseling can help you process loss in a way that honors your experience, without pressure to "move on" before you're ready.
For many, complicated grief can feel overwhelming and all-encompassing. The pain of significant loss can be a stark reminder of how little is within our control and how precious our time truly is. Even expected losses can be devastating when they cause us to question the direction of our lives.
Grief is more than an emotional experience—you feel it throughout your body and mind. When the pain becomes too much, it’s natural to seek relief, whether through isolation, overworking, or substance use.
You may also find yourself avoiding conversations about your loss because of others' discomfort. This can create a secondary loss—a sense of disconnection that deepens the pain.
Grief can be complicated, too.
Grief can feel even more complex when it’s intertwined with other challenges—such as unresolved feelings about the person you lost, multiple losses close together, traumatic circumstances, or a lack of support.
Some signs that grief may be more complicated include:
- Intense longing or preoccupation with the loss that doesn’t ease over time
- Struggling to accept the loss, even months or years later
- Persistent feelings of emptiness or a sense that life has no meaning
- Avoiding reminders of the loss or feeling overwhelmed when talking about it
- Difficulty with daily activities or maintaining relationships
These are normal, understandable responses to profound loss. If your grief feels stuck or is affecting your life, counseling can help.
Get matched with a therapist(opens in new tab) by booking a free 15-minute therapist matching call.