Grief

The experience of loss can cause confusion and overwhelming emotions that may interfere with your ability to function and your personal relationships. It’s challenging to adjust after a death in the family, a career change, a divorce, and other major life transitions. Grief counseling can provide the support you need to cope with life changes. The compassionate therapists at Rein Center, based in Iowa City, Iowa, provide personalized grief counseling services that help you process your loss and move forward with confidence. To schedule an in-person or telehealth consultation, call the office, or request one online today.

Which life transitions cause a grief response?

Loss is an unavoidable life experience. When you experience a significant loss, you may discover a wide range of emotional responses. The changes that come with loss can affect your whole life, from daily activities to personal relationships.

Transitions commonly associated with grieving include:

• Death of a family member, friend, or loved one
• Changes in your health or the health of a loved one
• Disability
• Ending a relationship
• Divorce
• Coping with issues of a family member or friend, such as substance abuse
• Caretaking of elderly or chronically ill family members
• Career changes
• Relocation
• Changes in your financial situation

Sudden losses due to an accident or crime can cause shock and may intensify the grief response. Predictable losses, such as death after a terminal illness, give you a chance to prepare for the loss. In this case, your grief response may not seem as extreme. However, the effects of both the anticipation of the loss and the loss itself can still have a significant impact on your emotional well-being.

What characterizes a grief response?

When you grieve after a loss or life transition, you may experience the following:

• Sorrow, hopelessness, or despair
• Nervousness, worry, or fearfulness
• Guilt or remorse
• Irritability
• Anger, directed at yourself, the deceased, or your higher power
• Desire to escape or avoid responsibility
• Poor concentration
• Numbness
• Fatigue
• Lack of motivation

The grief response can come and go, and you may experience grief in cycles. This is part of the normal grieving process. However, if you feel stuck in your grief and loss, or it interferes with your ability to meet work or family obligations or maintain relationships, you might benefit from grief counseling.

What is involved in grief counseling?

Everyone experiences grief in their own way. Grief counseling at Rein Center offers the opportunity for you to work with a therapist who can help you process your feelings and provide coping strategies based on your unique situation.

The highly trained therapists who specialize in grief and loss counseling can help you move forward with increasing clarity and confidence. Depending on your individual needs, your therapist may recommend:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Creative therapy and journaling
• Couples therapy
• Family therapy

To find relief from your grief and loss and regain a sense of personal power as you move through a life transition, schedule an in-person or telehealth evaluation at Rein Center. Call the office or book an appointment online today.