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Grief, Bereavement, and Loss Counselling

Grief, Bereavement, and Loss Counselling

Individuals who have just experienced a death of a close family member, friend, or even pet should look into grief counselling. As its name suggests, grief counselling helps one deal with the mourning and grief that comes from the death of an important individual.

This form of psychotherapy also deals with events that lead to grief, such as divorce, giving up an addiction, or other major life changes.

Symptoms of Grief

Grief itself has symptoms, which may include:

  • physical pain
  • lack of appetite
  • insomnia
  • confusion
  • hallucinations
  • obsession with the deceased.

Coping

People mourn and deal with grief in different ways. Some stay in denial, while others end up angry with others. One of the more common models of grief is the Kubler-Ross model. In this model, the stages of grief are denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. It is important that people dealing with a major loss go through each stage and move on towards letting go. Those who suffer a loss but don’t go to grief counselling can end up stuck in one stage. In many cases, the grief and mourning can cause depression in an individual. For grievers who suffer from depression, it is highly recommended that they seek counselling or speak with a psychologist.

How Grief Counselling can Help

Counselling allows an individual to deal with the feelings that come with grief. It is important for that person to ultimately accept the loss and move on without the deceased in body, but still possibly in another form. The process allows them to reach acceptance, which includes coming to terms with the pain and symptoms of grief. It is important to acknowledge that the pain they are experiencing is normal, but only temporary.

In some circumstances these symptoms can go as far as emotional numbness; however it is important to realize that nothing is permanent and a therapist can help you identify and deal with these feelings. Once these feelings have been sorted out, and time has passed, the person can return to his or her daily routine. Being able to work and keep busy also helps deal with the grief. But a person must be able to do these things ultimately out of responsibility, not because they want to be distracted from the grief.

Treatment Options

Therapy will depend on the individual’s symptoms, reactions, and routine. The common goal of every grief counselling session is that the griever accepts the loss as a reality.

Insight is proud to offer highly trained Grief Counsellors in our Edmonton and Calgary locations. Please visit our contact page to get in touch with Insight, or find a therapist below that can help.

Insight's Counsellors that can help:

Therapist Spotlight

Melanie Palmier (Assessments only)

Melanie Palmier (Assessments only)
...

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Counselling Services: Overview

Counselling Services with Insight

Cory Hrushka from Insight Psychological gives an overview of Counselling services, and Insight's approach through Awareness, Understanding, and action...

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Professional Affiliations

Insight Psychological has professional affilations with some of Canada's Most prestigious organizations including:

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Insight Psychological Inc. is an Edmonton,
Calgary, and Red Deer Based Psychological
Counselling, EAP, & Assessment Services Agency.

Edmonton: 780-461-1717

Calgary: 403-252-1716

Red Deer: 403-346-1716

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