Losing my life partner of 15 years to Suicide in 2011 changed the trajectory of my life. I was in no way prepared for what would happen next. During the following 5 years, I went through significant changes in my understanding of who I am and how to cope with life. For the first time, I had a personal understanding of the depths of grief and loss and the impact of trauma on the Psyche and the body. After many maladaptive coping strategies, I was forced to find the support necessary to work through my own recovery process of traumatic grief. With this new insight and a new renewed sense of purpose, I have found my passion in assisting others through this difficult process.
Grief from a traumatic or sudden loss, creates a complex response in the body and the mind. Traumatic grief, can take much longer to recover from and in many cases can lead to serious Psychological problems or concerns. Common Symptoms after a traumatic loss, can include shock, extreme sadness or crying jags, lack of motivation, eating or sleeping problems, and a general feeling of being disconnected from your life. In the most severe cases, it can lead to serious depression most typified by a lack of feeling or connection to things that previously brought you pleasure, a state of being called anhedonia. If this depression is left unattended, it can be devasting both physically and emotionally. The surprising things to most people are the more physical reactions to grief, that include changes in eating and sleeping patterns, more intense aches and pains, and feeling overly tired or out of it. One client stated that she felt as if every molecule in her body had suddenly been altered. This is not unusual but difficult to work through alone.
More importantly, without the proper help these issues can lead to more complications especially if you begin to use maladaptive ways to cope such as alcohol, drugs, medications, food, or other process issues like over shopping, spending, and gambling.
Group processes have demonstrated significant reduction and relief from these issues. They are also inexpensive ways to get additional support. You will find a similar loss and reactions in other group members. Once the group has enough members, it is closed and runs for 8 consecutive weeks. This allows for a better sense of safety and ease of sharing. Occasionally, if group members decide to, they continue beyond the 8 weeks as an added support system for long term healing. Check out the group section for current days and times of groups and call for a complimentary intake session.