Grief Counseling in League City, The Woodlands & Midland
Experiencing loss can be devastating and life-changing. We can help you navigate the many complex feelings of dealing with grief.
Grief is one of the most complex and overwhelming human emotions. The weight of loss can be suffocating, leaving individuals feeling lost, alone, and utterly broken. Grief counseling can be a beacon of hope, providing valuable support to help you navigate the challenging terrain of loss and find a path toward healing.
Our team of compassionate and skilled counselors offers a safe space where individuals can openly express their emotions, share their stories, and work through the pain of loss. Our approach combines evidence-based therapeutic techniques with genuine empathy, creating a supportive environment where clients can find solace and healing.
Grief is the response to loss, particularly the loss of someone or something, to which a bond or affection was formed. Most discussion on grief focuses on the emotional response to loss. However, loss also has physical, cognitive, behavioral, social, cultural, spiritual, and philosophical dimensions. There are many signs and symptoms related to grief, and many of these symptoms have physical manifestations.
Treatment for grief involves exploring the emotions related to the loss, identifying and addressing other symptoms or manifestations of grief, and developing coping skills to manage difficult feelings and problematic behaviors.
Grief Events:
As humans, we become very attached to the persons, patterns, and routines of our lives. When we experience a drastic change or loss, we may experience grief. Some circumstances or events that may lead to feelings of grief include:
- Infant loss
- Death of a child
- Death of a loved one
- Divorce
- Serious illness of a loved one
- Loss of a pet
- Loss of job/career
- Major life changes
- Life transitions
- Infertility/Miscarriage
- Ending of a relationship
- Traumatic loss or stress
- Chronic pain
Physical, Emotional, Social, and Behavioral Symptoms of Grief
- Increased fatigue
- Change in appetite and weight
- Sleeping problems
- Trouble breathing, especially when triggers are present
- Feelings of emptiness
- Feeling numb
- Anger
- Irritability
- Guilt
- Longing
- Sadness
- Fear
- Vulnerability
- Feelings of abandonment
- Overly sensitive
- Becoming withdrawn
- Loss of interest
- Forgetfulness
- Searching for the loss
- Dreams of what was lost
- Retelling the story repeatedly
- Body aches and pains, including headache, leg pain, chest pain, back pain
- Increased or new anxiety
Unresolved Grief
Unresolved grief can negatively affect a person's mental and physical health. It can increase your risk of stress-related illnesses, high-risk behaviors, mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety, and suicide.
Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD), formerly known as complicated grief disorder (CGD), is a pathological reaction to loss representing a cluster of empirically derived symptoms associated with long-term physical and psycho-social dysfunction. Individuals with PGD experience severe grief symptoms for at least six months and are stuck in a maladaptive state.
The Therapy for Families Approach to Grief Counseling
Our mission at Therapy for Families is to empower individuals to overcome grief and rediscover hope.
During grief counseling, our grief counselors guide individuals through the various stages of grief while also helping them learn healthy coping mechanisms and find new ways to honor the memory of their loved ones.
Our experienced therapists will assist clients as they navigate complex emotions, help them develop and utilize tools to understand their grief better, and ultimately discover a renewed sense of purpose and hope.
Recognizing the symptoms and complications of grief is essential to protecting your mental and physical health. Grief can result in depression, alcohol or drug abuse, and if left untreated, it can impact daily living.
Treatment includes talk therapy in conjunction with your local community support group. Together, these treatments will aid your healing process and give you the tools and skills to move forward with your life.
What Grief Treatment is Available for You?
Here at Therapy for Families, we offer a variety of counseling and therapy programs to help you manage all areas of life, including individual, family, and couples therapy.
Individual counseling is helpful for those who are comfortable sharing in a private, one-on-one environment with their trusted grief therapist.
Family and couples grief counseling benefits those who have experienced loss as a unit. This counseling focuses on how the loss affects each family member.
Our therapists will help you evaluate behaviors that are not serving you and guide you in developing skills to manage difficult emotions. We utilize multiple therapy modalities based on the client’s personality and problem, using effective, evidence-based therapy modalities designed to address your specific concerns and difficulties.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does grief counseling look like?
Grief counseling provides a supportive space where individuals can explore their emotions, process loss, and begin healing. The counseling process typically unfolds in the following ways:
- Initial Assessment: In the first session, the counselor will seek to understand your unique experiences, relationships, and the nature of your loss. They’ll explore how the loss has impacted your life and identify your specific needs.
- Exploring Emotions: Grief counseling focuses on helping you identify and process a range of emotions, such as sadness, anger, guilt, or confusion. The counselor provides tools and techniques to navigate these feelings in a safe, supportive environment.
- Education and Guidance: Counselors may offer information about the stages of grief (e.g., denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance) to help normalize your experience and provide insight into what to expect as you move through your grief.
- Coping Strategies: Grief counseling introduces various coping strategies such as mindfulness, journaling, meditation, and grounding exercises to help you manage overwhelming emotions and gain a sense of control.
- Support for Personal Growth: Counselors work to foster resilience, encourage self-compassion, and support the development of healthy ways to process grief. They may also assist in exploring ways to honor the memory of your loved one, find meaning in your loss, and create a path forward.
What are some grief counseling resources?
On Grief and Grieving" by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross and David Kessler
This book explores the 5 stages of grief (now 7 stages) and provides deep understanding and guidance for processing loss.
"The Grief Recovery Handbook" by John W. James and Russell Friedman
A practical guide that helps individuals work through unresolved grief and provides steps toward healing.
"It’s Okay That You’re Not Okay" by Megan Devine
This book offers a compassionate approach to grief, focusing on accepting the reality of loss and providing practical tools for healing.
"Option B: Facing Adversity, Building Resilience, and Finding Joy" by Sheryl Sandberg and Adam Grant
Although focused on resilience, this book explores grief, loss, and how to find hope and healing after life’s difficult moments.
"The Untethered Soul" by Michael A. Singer
A popular book on mindfulness and self-discovery, which can be helpful for those struggling with grief by offering insights into finding peace and acceptance.
"When Bad Things Happen to Good People" by Harold S. Kushner
A classic book exploring the difficult questions about why we suffer and how to find meaning in the face of loss.
"Grief Day by Day" by Jan Warner
A helpful resource offering daily reflections and practical tips for coping with grief over time.
What are some examples of grief counseling approaches or techniques?
- CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) to help shift negative thought patterns related to grief.
- Mindfulness and meditation to promote present-moment awareness and reduce anxiety related to loss.
- Narrative therapy to explore and process grief through storytelling.
- EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) to address traumatic memories connected to loss.
- Art and play therapy especially for teens, to express emotions non-verbally.
What are the 7 stages of grief, and how do they impact the grieving process? The 7 stages of grief, developed by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, include:
Denial
Anger
Bargaining
Depression
Acceptance
Shock
Rebuilding
These stages are not linear, and people may experience them in different orders or multiple stages at once. Understanding these stages can help individuals recognize their emotions and move through grief at their own pace.
Is there a grief therapist near me?
It depends on where you are at, we have offices in The Woodlands, League City, and Midland Texas. We also can offer virtual therapy.
Make the Next Step!
1 Reach Out
Schedule a free consultation by texting or calling 281-819-0308 or filling out the form to learn more about us, ask questions, and see if you would like to move forward!
2 Begin The Healing
Experience the healing experience of therapy, where you can show up just as you are knowing we will do the same!
3 Discover Meaningful Support & Goals on your Treatment Plan
Begin leaving a peaceful and fulfilling life you deserve- free from past pain & connecting with who you were meant to be!
Begin Grief Counseling near Houston, The Woodlands, League City, and Midland. Online Grief Therapy is available in Texas, Florida & South Dakota.
At Therapy for Families, our greatest desire is to help each individual feel comfortable and hopeful about their therapy process. Please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns. We also offer a free consultation to help assess how therapy can benefit you and help you feel peace and happiness again.