grief counselling Melbourne

Whether we like it or not, each of us will experience a few losses throughout life.

In fact, loss is the risk we take when we choose to invest (emotionally) in another human being. So, it’s not a matter of “if” but a matter of “when”.
Losing someone (or even something) to which you feel emotionally attached can be extremely painful.

A divorce, the death of a loved one, or even a personal project that has crashed and burned can generate intense feelings of depression, sadness, anger, guilt, and fear.

During times like these, we naturally tend to take a step back, put life on pause, and heal our emotional wounds.

And that’s why grieving is a natural process that anyone who has suffered a loss should go through. In other words, the emotional turmoil associated with loss is the result of your mind trying to adapt to a new reality.

At some point, you begin to accept your loss and slowly move on with your life.

Unfortunately, some of us might not be able to recover on our own. Truth be told, we never know how we handle loss until it hits us.

And when the burden is too heavy, you need someone who can carry this weight with you; a professional who can assist you in achieving growth after loss.

We know for a fact that grieving is a natural process, but that doesn’t mean it can’t have a negative impact on your health and wellbeing.

No one likes to feel pain and we all have this natural tendency to avoid it. We find comfort in all sorts of unhealthy behaviors (drinking, substance abuse, etc.) and we reject others’ support because we don’t want to confront our helplessness.

Ironically, this attitude will only prolong the unpleasant effects of loss & grief.

To make matters worse, all these emotional and behavioral reactions that accompany grief can have a serious impact on your physical health. For example, poor-quality sleep, unhealthy diet choices, and lack of physical activity can eventually lead to health complications.

Without professional help, unprocessed loss (and unresolved grief) can result in severe depression, panic attacks, and a constant state of anxiety.

Long story short, facing these painful emotions is part of the grieving process. The more you avoid them, the more you deny yourself the chance to grow.

With the help of our trained professionals, you can explore new ways to tackle grief & loss and cultivate growth.

In general, we like to think that life is one endless stream of linear events. The reason why we hold on to this belief is that it gives us a sense of comfort and control.

But that’s rarely the case!

The reality is that life is an endless stream of ups and downs, an unpredictable chain of events.

Each “down” that life throws your way represents an opportunity to get back up. In other words, the losses we suffer create opportunities for growth.

But to reach this point, first you must go through what experts call “the five stages of grief”:

1. Denial – you refuse to believe that you lost someone or something dear to you.
2. Anger – you think it’s unfair that you had to experience loss. “I don’t deserve this!”
3. Bargaining – you would do anything to go back to how things were before.
4. Depression – you realise that you will never get back that which you have lost.
5. Acceptance – you accept this new reality.

Working your way through these five stages takes time and patience. In fact, it could take weeks (even months) to successfully process and accept your loss.

At Counselling in Melbourne, our psychologists offer grief and loss counselling sessions in a caring, safe, and non-judgmental environment that allows you to untangle your mixed feelings, develop coping strategies and to explore a brighter future.

Since people grieve differently, it’s hard to give an exact estimate of how long this process should last.

Some recover after six months, while others might need a whole year. There are also people who, despite showing constant improvements, never feel like they’re completely over their loss.

It seems that grieving can be a difficult process, especially if there’s no one around to provide an empathetic ear or a shoulder to cry on.
Sharing your pain, desperation, and sadness with a grief counsellor can make things easier for you. Furthermore, accepting your shortcomings and asking for professional help is an act of courage that paves the way for growth.

People typically request grief counselling when:

• They’ve suffered a significant loss that has changed their life and they’re having trouble adjusting to this new reality.
• They’ve lost a child, life partner, parent, or close friend.
• Their family has suffered a loss and they don’t know how to manage it.
• They’ve been through separation or divorce and can’t find a way to adjust.

If you wish to understand what you’re going through, regain your confidence, and start building a better future for yourself, contact one of our counsellors today.

As Jon Kabat-Zinn says, “You can’t stop the waves, but you can learn to surf”.

When it comes to grief and loss, “learning to surf” means accepting reality as it is and building the emotional resilience you need to confront life’s ups and downs.

Drawing upon a wide range of therapeutic interventions, our professionals can help you:

• Untangle stresses and alleviate anxiety
• Provide clarity and emotional support
• Inspire effective problem-solving
• Reframe life events
• Rebuild self-confidence
• Explore personal goals and life direction
• Promote relaxation and mindfulness
• Adjust to life’s changed situation

Share this burden with someone who can provide both emotional support and expert advice on how to adjust to your new reality.