GRIEF & LOSS COUNSELING FOR ADULTS
IN SAINT CHARLES COUNTY
I recently completed a 4 week class on the unique grief associated with Covid-19. Loss is not always associated with physical death. We feel grief & loss when we face transitions in our life such as a break up, a child leaving the home, the loss of our job, an injury, even the loss of our beloved family pet or the natural process of aging. It is inevitable that we will be faced with losses in our life. The culture of this country in the last few decades has been to prescribe the grieving person a pill and tell them to join a support group. I believe in professionally led support groups, and medication when necessary to function, but support groups are most beneficial after the initial shock of the loss has subsided. Ideally, 2-3 months post loss is the appropriate standard of care.
Incorporating a grief support group into the individual counseling plan of care has proven to be beneficial to many attendees, but is not always appropriate for everyone.
By allowing yourself to experience all of the complex layers of grief, at the appropriate times with professional assist, you build the foundation for the possibility of deepening your sense of understanding throughout the remaining life challenges that come with loss. Rituals that once provided comfort have been lost by the "quick fix" attitudes of Western culture. By incorporating lost rituals and traditions into the grief experience, we open up the possibility of renewal, awareness and healing.
,
Incorporating a grief support group into the individual counseling plan of care has proven to be beneficial to many attendees, but is not always appropriate for everyone.
By allowing yourself to experience all of the complex layers of grief, at the appropriate times with professional assist, you build the foundation for the possibility of deepening your sense of understanding throughout the remaining life challenges that come with loss. Rituals that once provided comfort have been lost by the "quick fix" attitudes of Western culture. By incorporating lost rituals and traditions into the grief experience, we open up the possibility of renewal, awareness and healing.
,