At some time or another, we all experience grief. Grief is a natural reaction to a loss: death of a loved one, loss of a job, sometimes even a lost election. Yet despite the fact that we all go through it, no one’s experience of grief is the same as anyone else’s. Grieving is a unique process that’s extremely variable in its intensity, persistence and expression depending upon the person going through it.
That being said, grief counseling can be helpful for some whose grief-related thoughts, behaviors or feelings are unrelenting or extremely distressing. Others choose to go to grief counseling simply to process and create meaning from their loss.
Dr. Gene Devers provides grief counseling Philadelphia residents have turned to during times of loss. A seasoned therapist with many years of experience supporting families, individuals and groups, Dr. Devers provides a supportive, empathic, and personalized approach to grief therapy.
In this blog, find out a little more about who goes to grief counseling. You may be surprised to find the list extends beyond those grieving the loss of a loved one.
Philadelphia Grief Counseling – Who Should Consider It?
There are a few signs grief counseling might be necessary, like changes in weight and sleeping patterns, difficulty concentrating, onset or worsening of depression and/or anxiety, and other issues after suffering a loss.
The thing is, signs and symptoms like these arise after a variety of life events. You should consider grief counseling if you’ve lost a loved one, but also if you’ve:
1. Lost your job.
If you’ve worked at your place of employment for a long time, being laid off can be truly devastating. Losing your place of work means losing not just income, but often your community and long-term habits. The transition can be experienced as a very real loss that requires extra help to process.
2. Moved to a new place.
This is another life event that might not seem like a loss, but can be experienced as one. Moving to a new place usually involves saying goodbye to friends, neighbors and places you’ve cherished for a long time. It’s possible to grieve them with intensity, even if you’re otherwise happy about moving (for an exciting job prospect, for example). Give yourself permission to seek the help you may need to cope.
3. Developed a chronic illness or disability.
When you develop a life-changing chronic illness or permanent disability, it’s natural to have intense feelings of sadness and other complicated emotions as you grieve the life you had before. Taking the time to grieve for that life fully, and to make meaning of your loss, is a vital part of learning to flourish in your “new normal.”
4. Gone through a divorce.
Even if you were the one to ask for the divorce, you may grieve the marriage you wish you’d had or once had. You may also grieve the loss of friendships and community as you create a new life apart from your ex, or the idea of a home in which your children have two married parents. Grief is a normal and natural response that a counselor can help you move through with intention.
5. Lost a pet.
The loss of a beloved dog or cat can saddle you with intense, persistent grief. This makes sense—your pet has likely shaped your habits for years, provided comfort through difficult times, and maybe even lent you a sense of purpose. Many people pursue grief counseling for support after the death of a pet they loved dearly.
Philadelphia Grief Therapy: Schedule An Appointment with Dr. Gene Devers
Ultimately, the pursuit of grief therapy in Philadelphia can help you process complicated emotions, make meaning from your loss, and move forward with strength and purpose.
Dr. Devers would be happy to lend a listening ear and years of experience to supporting you through this process. Contact Dr. Devers at 215/677-3810 or by emailing Gene@PhillyFamilyLifeCounseling.com for an appointment.
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