Grief Therapy, Coaching, and Consulting
You may find as you continue to do grief related work that at some points in life therapy will be most useful. At other times grief focused coaching may be more beneficial. There is no “right or wrong” when it comes to how we experience, address, and manage feelings of grief. I am here to assist and support you with accomplishing your dreams and goals wherever you find yourself on your own unique path.
As an example, I want to share a grief model I find helpful to use with clients. William Worden’s
Four Tasks of Mourning.*
This model is not focused on “stages.” Worden emphasizes these four tasks can be addressed in no specific order. We may find ourselves moving between each of the tasks over time.
Task 1: To accept the reality of the loss
Often times, especially in early grief, people while recognizing intellectually that your person has died, you may experience a sense of disbelief. The work to be done within this task is to begin to integrate the reality of your person’s death and to take it in with your whole being.
Task 2: To process the pain of grief
We know that grief is experienced emotionally, cognitively, physically, and spiritually. While friends, family and others may tell you “Get over it, move on, be strong…” it is important that when you are grieving you have places and spaces where you can openly and honestly express feelings of grief (such as grief support groups).
Task 3: To adjust to a world without the deceased
The work of this task involves adjusting to one’s new reality by taking on new and different responsibilities and learning and developing new skills. The work also involves making internal adjustments as you adapt to a new sense of identity due to the loss and absence of your loved one. For some, spiritual adjustments may also be important. You may find that you feel the need to question your belief system and even the meaning and purpose of life.
Task 4: To find an enduring connection with the deceased in the midst of embarking on a new life
Gradually it is possible to create balance in one’s life – between remembering the person who died and living a full and meaningful life.
Grief/Loss Focused Consulting
Creating Healing Spaces and Places
I also provide customized consultation for individuals, families, and organizations. This type of work includes providing assistance and guidance with making intentional physical/aesthetic changes to one’s home or workplace after the death of a loved one. It might include developing supportive grief and loss resources for communities and organizations experiencing the loss (death and non-death related) of employees and/or significant community members. This work may also include supporting families and communities in the throes of change and transition when the needs of older or ill/impaired family members’ needs create new challenges and demands.
Let’s explore your past and present relationships with grief, loss, and transition.
Together we will arrive at the best path forward for you.
*(based on Worden, J. W. (2009). Grief Counseling and Grief Therapy: A Handbook for the Mental Health Practitioner, Fourth Edition, Springer, NY) and adapted from Los Angeles-based Our House Grief Support Center’s online resources.