Grief Counseling IN CARY NC.
Healing as a Mom: Overcoming Grief and Loss
Support, Understanding, Healing.
You want to heal from your loss, but you’re not sure how... It is hard enough just to get through each day.
Grief often feels like an unpredictable storm, crashing over you in waves of sorrow, anger, or numbness. It’s a different experience for each person, and there is no right way to feel. It can leave a person feeling lost as if a part of themselves has been torn away.
Everyday tasks may feel impossible, and even a moment of joy can leave you with a feeling of guilt or an acute awareness of what’s missing. You likely feel a profound sense of longing—for the person who is gone, for the life that you once imagined, or for the sense of stability that has been shattered.
Grief can make you feel isolated, making even well-meaning words of comfort from others feel hollow as you try to navigate a world that seems forever changed.
You are never quite sure when the feelings of sadness or anger will hit. One minute you are fine, the next a wave of grief overwhelms you. You expect it to hit you at certain times and it doesn’t. Then when you aren’t expecting it you are overcome with the feelings again.
It feels like it will never get better
It is exhausting. You try to hide how you feel in front of your kids, or at work and with friends, which just makes you…. Tired.
You don’t want to burden others by talking about it, and often when you do they either don’t know what to say or say things that are annoying or just not helpful.
Your relationships might be feeling strained. You might be withdrawing from others because you just can’t put your feelings into words and you aren’t sure any one wants to hear because you are feeling so down.
You feel overwhelmed because getting yourself to do things is too hard. Your to-do list keeps getting longer, or you may have stopped trying to keep up.
You might still be feeling lost and disoriented. Feeling unmoored and like you can’t find your bearings. You have no idea how you are supposed to move on.
Grief seeps into everything, affecting work, relationships, and physical health.
At work, grief can make it hard to concentrate or stay motivated, as your mind keeps wandering back to the loss, and even small tasks feel overwhelming.
You might be more irritable or emotionally reactive and worry about pushing away the people you care about most.
Physically, grief can lead to fatigue, sleep disturbances, or a weakened immune system, making it even harder to keep up with daily demands.
Over time, the unprocessed emotions of loss can create a ripple effect, making it difficult to feel joy, stay productive, or maintain a sense of connection to the world around them.
Grief counseling will give you a safe place to feel all of your feelings.
You don’t need to go through this alone. I will be with you while you heal.
You can navigate the feelings you are experiencing in a safe and comfortable space. I will help you process your emotions, giving you tools to express feelings that may feel overwhelming or hard to explain. Through guided reflection, therapy will help you understand your unique grief journey. You will begin to accept your process of getting through this experience, Grief therapy will help you connect with others again and stop judging yourself for how you get through the process. I will help you identify coping strategies to manage grief’s emotional, physical, and relational challenges, making it easier to navigate daily life. Therapy will help you make sense of the pain of your loss and often find meaning in the process. We will explore ways you can honor your loved one. You will begin rebuilding a sense of purpose and connection. It’s not about “getting over” the loss but learning how to integrate it into life in a way that fosters healing and growth.
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Therapy for Grief and Loss in Cary NC will Help You:
With practical tools and insights to help you navigate your healing journey
- I will teach you grounding techniques to manage overwhelming emotions. You will also learn deep breathing and mindfulness exercises to stay present during intense sorrow
- You will learn healthier ways to express your feelings, such as journaling, creative outlets, or sharing your grief openly with loved ones
- Therapy will help you overcome guilt and regret by exploring self-compassion and identifying your unhelpful thought patterns
- I will also teach you self-care techniques that will help you set boundaries with others who may not understand your grief. This will help you protect your emotional energy while caring for essential relationships
- You will also create rituals or practices to honor the person or thing you feel you have lost. This might include writing letters, creating a memory book, or celebrating meaningful anniversaries
Over time, You will gain confidence in your ability to navigate life’s challenges while carrying your grief, learning to find joy and connection along with your loss
You CAN Be Happy again even after an Overwhelming Loss
Grief Specialties
Pre Pregnancy and Pregnancy Losses Including:
- Miscarriage
- Mid to Late Term Pregnancy Loss
- Infertility Challenges
- Loss of Body Image
- Loss of Body Autonomy
If these sound like you, please take a look at the Journey to Motherhood Page.
Postpartum Losses Including:
- Loss of Identity (as a Career Woman etc.)
- Loss of Freedom
- Loss of Autonomy (You are caring for two now)
If these sound like you, please take a look at the New Moms: Postpartum Depression and Anxiety Page.
If you are concerned about how grief may be impacting your parenting, causing depression, or mom burnout, please see my Middle Motherhood Page.
If you are grieving because your children are growing up, caring for an aging or dying parent, or you lost a parent recently or earlier in life, see my Seasoned Mothers Page.
If you never really had a mother (or father) and you grew up in a dysfunctional family for any reason, including parental neglect or alcoholism, drug use, mental illness, etc., see my Childhood Trauma and Dysfunctional Families Page.
If you also have difficulty with anxiety or ADHD, please see my Anxiety Specialty Page and my ADHD Specialty Page.
Frequently Asked Questions about Therapy for Grief and Loss in Cary, NC.
I am unsure if I want to let go of my feelings. Is that ok?
Yes! Sometimes, letting go of grief can feel like letting go of the person or thing you have lost and are missing so much… Yes, it is okay not to be ready to let go yet. Often, not wanting to let go of our feelings means we need more time and to do more things that honor and validate our feelings.
What if I don’t feel like talking about it or find it too hard?
I will give you the time and the support you need, and I will never push you to talk about things until you want to. Simply let me know how you feel, and I will hear you. It can wait. A crucial part of therapy is for you to feel comfortable and safe with the process. Over time, good therapy should help you feel safer and more comfortable with allowing your feelings to surface, but you shouldn’t ever feel pressured to do this before you are ready.
How do I know if I need therapy for Grief?
If you feel stuck in overwhelming sadness, anger, guilt, or despair, that doesn't lessen over time. Suppose you are having difficulty functioning in your daily life, feeling isolated, continuing to avoid reminders, or denying the reality of what happened. In that case, these may all be signs of needing support. Also, if you are experiencing physical symptoms, excessive anxiety or depression, or thoughts of self-harm, then it is time to reach out for help. Suppose the circumstances of your loss were particularly traumatic (e.g., sudden or violent death, pregnancy loss, or losing someone central to your sense of identity). In that case, this also makes it more likely you should reach out for help through grief counseling.
What Kind of Losses can Grief Therapy Help With?
Grief therapy can help with many different kinds of losses, including the death of a loved one, pregnancy loss, or the end of a significant relationship. It also supports individuals grieving non-death losses, such as losing a job, a pet, or a sense of identity due to major life changes like illness or divorce. It can address complicated grief stemming from sudden or traumatic events, such as accidents or violence. It can also help with ambiguous losses, such as estrangement or caregiving for someone with a degenerative illness. The goal is to process the loss, manage difficult emotions, and rebuild a sense of meaning and purpose.
What if my Loss Happened a long time ago?
If your loss happened a long time ago but still feels unresolved, grief therapy can help you process the lingering emotions and address how it continues to affect your life. Grief doesn’t always follow a linear timeline, and sometimes, the pain of a past loss resurfaces due to life changes, anniversaries, or unprocessed feelings. Therapy provides a safe space to explore those emotions, even if they’ve been buried for years, and helps you understand how the loss has shaped your experiences and relationships. By working through the unresolved grief, you can find relief, develop new coping strategies, and create space for healing and growth. It's never too late to seek support and care for your emotional well-being.