Grief Counseling
Atlanta Grief Counseling
What is grief?
Grief is a deeply personal and natural response to loss of any kind. It is a complex experience that involves a mix of emotions that could feel conflicting or overwhelming. There may not always be one singular event that brings upon grief. Understanding what you are feeling can often feel isolating. With Atlanta grief counseling, it doesn’t have to feel that way.
Causes of Grief
- Loss of a loved one
- Pet loss
- Loss of a job
- Separation/divorce
- Ending of a relationship
- Inexplainable circumstances
- Medical diagnosis
- Caring for a loved one with a chronic condition
- Loss of identity
Myths About Grief
- Grief is predictable and linear
- Once you go through a stage, it’s over
- You can only grieve death
- Grief never goes away
- Grief should last a certain amount of time and depends on the situation
- There are five stages to grief. Traditional understanding of the five stages (denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance) is a helpful model, but does not give a comprehensive understanding of grief. There are more contemporary models and our Atlanta grief therapists are well-versed in these theories.
Why We Grieve
Grief has multiple functions. The mind and body make attempts to process the experience while working through physiological responses to such stress. Psychologically, grief allows for confrontation of pain and the loss. Physiologically, responses to stress help the body regulate and reset, which can look like changes in sleep, appetite, weight, and hygiene. Neurologically, the brain is responding to emotional and social pain similarly to physical pain.
How Grief Shows Up
- Emotional: Sadness, anger, guilt, relief, numbness, anxiety.
- Physical: Fatigue, sleep disturbances, headaches, appetite changes.
- Cognitive: Difficulty concentrating, preoccupation with memories, disbelief.
- Behavioral: Social withdrawal, restlessness, avoidance of reminders.
- Spiritual: Questioning beliefs, seeking meaning, finding comfort in faith or rituals.
How Grief Counseling In Atlanta Helps
Grief counseling can help by providing a space to not only work through the conflicting emotions associated with the significant loss, but our specialized clinicians are trained in guiding individuals through the complex grieving process in a supportive and constructive way. Our clinicians are trained in evidence-based techniques to help you process emotions, develop coping strategies, and adjust to life after loss.
Grief therapy provides a welcoming environment to express sorrow, anger, anguish, disbelief, guilt, and even relief—emotions that can often feel overwhelming or confusing. We help individuals make sense of their grief, identify potential complications in the healing process, and find ways to honor their loss. This is done while gradually rebuilding a sense of normalcy and finding ways to honor the loss. Additionally, our Atlanta grief therapists can assist in recognizing when grief becomes complicated or prolonged and offering tailored interventions to prevent emotional distress from becoming debilitating.
To schedule an appointment or for a complimentary phone consultation you can visit our appointment page. We will match you with an Atlanta grief therapist. While we are based in Atlanta, we have therapists that are able to provide therapy throughout Georgia as well as other states.
Grief Counseling FAQ
Q: Will my grief end?
A: Grief doesn’t follow a distinct timeline, and it may not “end” in an expected way. Instead, it changes and over time, the intense pain softens, and you find ways to carry your loss while still embracing life. This process becomes easier when support through grief counseling is evident and transparent. Healing isn’t about forgetting—it’s about learning how to move forward with love, memories, and meaning.
Q: What do I say to someone that is grieving?
A: When someone is grieving, there are no perfect words to take away their pain. The most meaningful thing you can do is offer presence and support. A simple “I’m here for you” or “I don’t have the right words, but I care” can be really powerful. Avoid any clichés like “They’re in a better place” instead, let them express their feelings without pressure to “move on.” Meeting those who are grieving with compassion, care, comfort, and curiosity will aid in them working through this impactful experience.
Q: Can you grieve for something you never “had?”
A: Absolutely. Grief isn’t just about losing someone or something tangible—it can also come from losing a dream, an opportunity, or an expectation. You might grieve the relationship you never had, the child you longed for, or the life path that changed unexpectedly. This kind of grief is real and valid, and recognizing it is an important step toward healing.
Q: If I am not ready for grief therapy yet, what can I do?
A: If you are not ready for grief counseling at this time here are some things to try:
- Compassionate rephrasing. Turning guilt-related self-talk into self-talk that displays grace and compassion for the situation you or others are going through.
- Grief will look different each day, so your self-care will look different as well. Give yourself permission for this.
- Delegate tasks to others (e.g., food being delivered, home cleanings, etc).
- Ask for help.
Q: I don’t have motivation, is this normal?
A: Yes, it can be. Flexibility is the key – give yourself space to be flexible with executing all your tasks. Remember, what is important is hygienic factors, fueling your body, and rest. What you need changes day-to-day, so set flexible but realistic expectations for what that may look like. It is possible that grief can turn into depression. With grief counseling your therapist will be able to help you identify the difference.
If you are looking for grief counseling, we are here to support you. You can schedule an appointment or complimentary consultation.
The therapists at the practice provide therapy in Atlanta as well as online to clients throughout Georgia and the United States.