Grief Processes

All, Mental Health

by Tori Roalef
December 5, 2023

Last week, we navigated grief during the holidays, and this week we’re continuing the grief during the holidays series with a second installment on the grief process.

Grief is not linear, and while it is a universal experience, it does not manifest the same way in everyone. Even within one person, one experience of grief can manifest differently from another experience of grief. So, let’s delve a little deeper into the grief processes and how grief can manifest in our lives.

The Idea of the Week

In this first video (1 hour and 45 minutes), Dr. K from HealthyGamerGG interviews a content creator, Hutch, about grief and identity. Hutch shares his struggles with his sister’s passing—the feelings of guilt, not being enough, and confusion around identity. The first hour explores these struggles; in the next 30 minutes, they discuss how to deal with grief and the feelings that arise with it; and in the final 15 minutes, Dr. K guides Hutch and viewers through a meditation.

Have questions about the grief process? In this next hour-long video, Grief Counselor, Sarah Engler, joins Therapy in a Nutshell to answer questions people had about grief. Below are the timestamps for these questions and discussions:

00:00 Introduction
01:50 Anniversaries of Loss and Grief: Is there any way to help prepare for the upcoming death reminders so that they aren’t so emotionally jarring?
06:51 Multiple losses, compounded grief, loss of pets
13:34 What is the difference between complex grief and normal grief?
16:51 How do you deal with anger around grief and loss?
22:58 How do you function after grief and loss?
27:21 Feeling nothing or numbness after grief and loss: Is it okay to not feel grief? And how do you deal with society seemingly making you feel ashamed of not grieving?
37:11 Can you ever “get over” grief and sadness?
45:18 What are practical steps to functioning after a loss?
54:38 How do you work through grief when you have children or are very busy?

The Practice of the Week

How do we work through the grief process? What does unhealthy grieving look like? What does mourning and bereavement look like? How do we grieve? In this hour-long video, Dr. K delves into the grief process and coping mechanisms in the first 40 minutes and answers questions from the live chat in the remaining time. Below are the timestamps to the sections in the video:

0:00 – Reddit Post “How do I grieve”
4:52 – Contents Overview (Stages of grieving)
7:27 – Bereavement
12:14 – Grief
21:15 – Mourning
31:39 – Visualization of change
42:11 – Questions

Grief is an emotional response to loss, but it can also affect us physically. In this 6-minute article, you’ll learn How to Cope with the Physical Effects of Grief.

Stay tuned for the last part of our grief during the holiday series next week, and in the meantime, check out our Facebook or Instagram page!

News of the Week

Creative Tarot Workshop

Embark on a journey of connection and discovery in this 2-hour workshop! Immerse yourself in a sense of community, delve into the rich history of tarot, and craft a personalized tarot power card to take home—your source of ongoing inspiration, guidance through a current issue, or to expand your life exploration!

February 11, 2024
12-2pm
Cost: $55

Located at Breathing Space Psychotherapy, 3455 Erieville Road
Erieville, NY

Paint & Process
Young Adult Support Group
for Ages 18-24

Art-making is often therapeutic and a wonderful way to relax and process the events going on in your life. Join Melissa, LCAT, LMHC, and Kayla, MHC-LP, for this young adult support group and chat while you create art.

Meg Tobin, LMHC is now an End of Life Doula!

End-of-life doulas provide emotional and physical support, education about the dying process, preparation for what’s to come, and guidance while grieving. Though Meg is not doing traditional doula work, she will work with end-of-life clients and their families utilizing ketamine.

DID YOU KNOW?

OVS may be able to help if you have unreimbursed crime-related expenses, such as medical bills, counseling costs, and funeral expenses, or assist with loss of earnings or support. They can help pay for therapy for crime victims, including Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy!

Find out more!

Another Upcoming Retreat
Unlocking Your Mind:
A Journey to Self-Discovery
Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy Retreat

Two Ketamine Journeys—lots of deep dives into experiential therapy incorporating meditation, writing, art making, yoga, and other body-centered modalities. Step away from the stressors of daily life and fully immerse yourself in the therapeutic process. We will use Ketamine and experiential therapy to break through the stuck places to find more freedom, pace, and motivation!

Zoom Preparation Session: Thursday, January 25th from 6-8 pm.
In-person: Thursday, February 1st from 4-9 pm.
In-person: Friday, February 2nd from 8:30 am-8 pm.
In-person: Saturday, February 3rd from 9 am-5 pm.
In-person: Sunday, February 4th from 8am to 9am.
Zoom Integration Session: Thursday, February 8th from 6-8 pm.

Learn more

You may be able to finance the retreat. Use the QR Code below to see if you prequalify!

Are you ready to elevate your team’s well-being?

Breathing Space Psychotherapy can offer your company a partnership to provide personalized support for every member of your company. Our counseling team offers confidential and expert guidance to help navigate both personal and professional challenges.

Are you ready? Contact Jackie at [email protected] to explore tailored solutions for your team. Together, we’ll create a support contract that reflects our commitment to a healthier, more resilient, and thriving workplace.

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