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Death, Loss, and Grief

Grief is a natural reaction to loss, and the response can be physical, emotional, psychological, spiritual, or a mixture of them all. Symptoms can include everything from shock and disbelief to sadness and emptiness, guilt and regret, anger and blame, fear and anxiety, and more.   It’s normal to have many conflicting, painful emotions when a loss happens. Sometimes these feelings do not fade away with time as you come to terms with your loss and find ways to establish a “new normal.” It is important to consider all reactions to grief with caution. These reactions are commonly found in the grieving process, but if they remain intense over a prolonged period of time, it may be an indicator that the person is not adapting to his or her loss.


Grief allows a person to come to terms with a significant loss and make sense of their new reality without the deceased. Regardless of whether or not you are moving through your grieving process, working with a grief specialist can give you the support you need to walk the path of healing.

Grief counseling can help in many ways...

A way to move forward

Grief counselors help people moving through normal experiences of grief as well as people who are greatly struggling through this process.

Feeling of validation

Often, counselors will educate grievers about the stages of grief, which can help people feel validated. For some, especially when dealing with difficult feelings such as anger and denial, it is helpful to know they are experiencing something that is part of an actual process.

Better understanding of symptoms

Grief counselors can identify when symptoms of grief, such as sadness, have progressed into more complicated states, such as depression or suicidal thoughts. Grief counselors can address these issues with the client or refer them to a more qualified therapist to work on the particular symptom.

A way to keep a connection

Grief counselors or therapists help a client connect with their loss through memory exercises, reflection or rituals. 

Reduce stress and anxiety

Grief counselors work to reduce additional stress by helping people to organize and approach their day-to-day life and their recovery process.

Help managing emotions

Talking about a significant loss can trigger any number of responses, most often crying, and sometimes yelling. This is perfectly fine, and grief counselors are prepared to deal with this emotional release.

As a Thanatologist, I am a psychologist who specializes in death and loss, and I have been working in the field for almost 30 years. On top of that, however, I know what it’s like to live with grief. I have walked in your shoes and come out the other side.


If you have experienced a loss, I am here to help. 

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