“I put down these memorandums of my affections
In honor of tenderness
In honor of all of those who have been
Conscripted into the brotherhood
Of loss… “
– Edward Hirsch
Even if you are surrounded by supportive friends and family, and many are not, grief is a lonely journey. No one, not even the most empathic person, can truly feel another’s grief; no one, even someone who has lost the same person, grieves the same way. While popular culture speaks of closure and “moving on,” this is a fundamental misunderstanding of grief and loss.
Loss survivors experience many painful feelings, among them deep sorrow, feelings of loneliness and isolation, shock, denial, yearning, anxiety, regret, confusion, difficulty concentrating, physical symptoms, anger, loss or questioning of religious faith, even feelings of wanting to die yourself. These feelings are often not shared, for they can feel frightening and not normal. They are normal, just not talked about much.
I have extensive experience helping people who are grieving, and offer individual, couples or family therapy for loss survivors. The therapy takes place in an empathic and compassionate setting where you can talk about your loved one, express and cope with your deepest feelings, develop ways to manage the difficult days ahead, move toward healing, and find additional resources to support you in your grief journey.
I offer my deepest condolences to those of you who have lost loved ones, that you may begin to feel hope for the future again.