Grief is more than sadness - it’s the process of coming to terms with loss and can be deeply painful. I know this firsthand and understand how hard it can feel to keep going while your heart and mind are trying to make sense of what’s happened.

When we grieve, our bodies often respond too. You may notice physical symptoms alongside your emotional pain, including stress, tension, changes in sleep or appetite, and feelings that don’t seem to “make sense” but are still very real.

While many people associate grief counseling only with the death of a loved one, grief can take many forms. You may be grieving after:

• A sudden loss or unexpected transition

• An anticipated loss (such as an illness)

• The end of an important relationship

• Other significant changes that impact your sense of safety, identity, or future

Anticipatory grief can be just as painful and stressful as the moment of loss itself. Living through the “in-between” can bring uncertainty, exhaustion, and a heavy emotional toll. Sudden loss can leave you feeling shocked and confused. When something happens unexpectedly, it may bring in unanswered questions, unresolved emotions, and intense feelings such as anger, guilt, or deep pain.

It’s also important to know that grief symptoms, such as feeling numb, losing joy, or feeling despair, are completely normal and a common part of the grieving process. However, if grief goes unaddressed, it can become overwhelming and may contribute to depression or make it harder to return to everyday functioning. If your loss is making daily life difficult, grief counseling can help you move through it more steadily and with support.

You may have heard of the “five stages of grief,” but grief doesn’t follow a single, predictable path. Everyone experiences loss differently, and there’s no wrong way to grieve. Common grief reactions can include:

• Shock or disbelief

• Denial or numbness

• Anxiety or distress

• Anger

• Periods of intense sadness

• Sleep disruption

• Changes in appetite

You don’t have to do this alone. If you’ve been through loss, whether recently or long ago, I want you to know this takes time. It’s never too early and never too late to seek support.

Grief counseling helps you process what you’re feeling, honor what you’ve lost, and find your way forward at a pace that feels right for you. I’m here to help you through this.