Dealing with Grief and Loss

and finding new meaning

Grief is the expression of the feelings that you experience when something important to you is lost. This can include the loss of somebody close to you, the end of a relationship, the loss of employment or the loss of something that you love.

When you suffer loss, grief is a normal response. Grief is expressed in various ways including sadness, anger, shock and overwhelm. The effect of grief is not just limited to how you feel but can change the way that you think about things, your ability to make decisions and your ability to concentrate.

You may wonder if the pain will ever diminish. No one can tell you how to grieve or how long it will take, but it can help to talk about it and get support from the people who care about you.

Stages of Grief:

Grief is a complex journey, and not everyone goes through every stage. The order in which the stages occur can vary, and it’s possible to experience them more than once.

Denial, numbness, and shock

When we experience a loss, our emotions can become overwhelming. But there is a stage that shields us from the full intensity – numbness. However, if we want to grow from our loss, we must acknowledge and accept it.

Bargaining

Bargaining involves thinking about how the loss could have been avoided, specifically what could have been done differently.

Unless this stage is resolved, feelings of remorse or guilt may remain.

Depression

Discovering the true magnitude of their loss, this stage seizes hold of certain individuals.

Anger

When we feel helpless and powerless, it’s common to experience anger. This anger may stem from feeling abandoned, or from frustration with a higher power or life itself.

Acceptance

Over time the individual comes to terms with how they feel and accept the fact that the loss has occurred. The loss can now be integrated into the individual’s life experience.

Finding Meaning Again

When faced with grief and loss, our perception of life’s meaning is shattered. But the real challenge lies in discovering a new sense of purpose within our transformed existence. This is the final stage.

Experience healing and find support with empathetic grief and trauma counsellors, Abbigale Smith-Steen and Kate Maginnis. Our sessions are tailored to guide you through the stages of grief. Book your first 1.0-hour session today.

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