Grief is a normal and natural reaction when someone we care about dies. Feelings like shock, confusion, anger, sadness, and depression are common when we are grieving. Over time, the intensity of these feelings may soften and ease, but in the beginning, grief can be overwhelming. Most of the time, we are able to eventually work through those intense feelings of grief and continue on with our lives. When the experience of grief is too overwhelming or when it triggers other painful feelings from one’s past, it may be helpful to meet with a therapist.
Coping with anticipatory grief can also be an extremely difficult experience. Anticipatory grief occurs when we are supporting individuals who have been diagnosed with a terminal disease or who may be very close to death. A wide range of confusing and complex feelings are common for these individuals and anticipatory grief counseling can be especially helpful.
Grief may also be experienced in response to other significant changes in one’s life such as relationship transitions and endings or loosing and changing jobs.