Grief and Loss Counseling in Columbus, MN.

Sorrow can immobilize life. It binds our hearts, hands and feet and although we may try desperately to ignore it, grief hangs like a heavy wet cloak. Wanting to toss this heavy cloak of loss aside, the idea of welcoming sorrow seems out of the question. Yet the only way to lighten its burden is to dive into its mystery and try to understand it. When we sing our sorrows we give them wings. We find, as the poet Wendell Berry says, “That the dark, too, blooms and sings.” Neither ignoring sorrow, nor dwelling in its seductive grasp will make it go away. In working with clients who are dealing with loss, we start by giving it the type of attention it deserves so we can send it on its way.

When we lose someone we love, life as we knew it ends. It's hard to understand how the world keeps moving around us when our life has suddenly stopped. Grief and Loss counseling can help you process the difficult emotions and pain you are experiencing after losing a loved one, whether through death, divorce, abandonment, chronic illness, or other loss. We can offer you a dedicated space to process what is happening and help you find hope and healing.

Whether your loss is sudden and clear or chronic and ambiguous you will experience grief. Grief is a normal response but it seems to have a mind of its own and can be completely overwhelming. Yet you must go on with your life somehow. The goal of grief counseling is not to get over it, but to help you build resilience and strength, find a new sense of meaning, and to grow forward in your own way. I will walk with you through this valley and support you in finding the path to recovery.

Whether you have lost a loved one, a job or house you know that your world has changed. Unfortunately those around you may have little insight into what you are going through. Frankly you as well be confused. Those around you mean well but their well-intentioned words bring little relief. I can help you understand what you are going through and what would make sense as far as the next steps to take. I will teach you about how to pace yourself regarding any changes you might want to make. I will assist you in understanding the nature of grief and what to expect as far as your own experiences. Ultimately I will assist you in finding your own path toward hope and relief.

When someone experiences loss, they may not move through the typical "stages" of grief that are so commonly talked about. This can trigger feelings of shame and guilt. They may wonder why they aren't "over it" or others may ask why they haven't "moved on". In therapy, we will focus on letting your experience of grief be what it is rather than fighting it or trying to grieve a certain way. Letting go of "should" and accepting what is can be incredibly freeing and often provides some relief right away. Grief comes in waves over time so we will deal with these waves as they come and help you find effective ways to manage them. I will support you in processing grief in your own way and own time.

The only way I know to help someone experience grief and loss is to create a safe place for them to feel their emotions and help them eventually make sense of their sorrow. I use empathy, compassion and a non-judgmental approach to hold your pain when sometimes the burden is too heavy. My particular specialty is grief and loss associated with reproductive concerns and I have a certificate in Maternal Mental Health from Postpartum Support International.

How one experiences grief varies widely from one person to another. After the death of a loved one, life can lose its meaning, others' expectations of how we 'should' be feeling, doing, or behaving can create added stress. We will help you understand your experience of loss, redefine your life, create a different future, and help you restore your heart and spirit, finding your path back to a different life, full and joyful again. Visit our website at http://www.centerlifecounseling.com for more information or to contact us for scheduling.

Grief is normal, exquisitely painful, and seriously lonely. My earliest therapy experience was as a Hospice Grief Counselor for four years. In those formative years, I learned the core issues that hamper our grief, the practices that make grief more tolerable, and the practiced patience necessary to bring comfort to those suffering sudden and protracted loss. I won't rush you. I'll normalize your pain and I'll nudge you gently toward practices that help.

Few of us are able to avoid feeling grief or loss. It can occur throughout our life in many different situations and for many reasons. It can be devastating to individuals, families, and communities. A person's ability to cope (resilience) is a big factor to consider when helping people with grief. Help is a very individual process. Therapists must be able to understand the event, but more importantly the impact on and resilience of the client, for best interventions.

The loss of a loved one, career, pet, or other important aspect can often shift our world and leave a tender, gaping wound. Working together to work on this sense of, or actual, loss through compassionate, gentle and affirmative therapy. Helping process through the pain does not mean you do not care about the loss, but you do not need to struggle through the pain alone.

Grieving is different than depression! At times we may not be able to distinguish between the two. Grieving is a very individual process. We all do it differently. It can result from the death of someone significant in our lives, but also from other events too. For example, meeting a long-term goal, divorce, the loss of physical health & functioning, loss of a job, or after a traumatic experience. To grieve effectively any of us need support and encouragement to face the needs and painful feelings that we often would prefer to avoid. I find that providing a warm, safe environment and supportive guidance allows my clients to feel what they need to feel in order to integrate painful losses.

Grief is a process that is different for everyone. It is a journey and it does take time. Therapy can help with this journey. Eventually the hope is that you will get to the point where, even though you can't forget the pain, eventually it has less of an impact on your day-to-day life. Just being able to be heard and understood can be helpful. Rituals of closure can also help. You don't have to go through your grief alone. We offer online counseling, delivered to you wherever you are. You can self-register and self-schedule and mnonlinecounseling.com.