Grief Therapy 
   
Every therapy issue is, at its core, a grief and loss issue of some kind.  
                                  
Common Grief and Loss Issues include

• Loss of a child at any age or stage and for any reason
• Loss of a spouse, significant other or life partner
• Loss of an immediate or extended family member
• Loss of a friend
• Loss of a pet
• Divorce, deportation, detainment, or desertion 
• Loss of a business, business partner or retirement
• Loss experienced in the workplace or community
• Disability or illness
• Political oppression  - despair due to political circumstances

Trauma and Grief

Trauma occurs during events that are outside normal human experience. These events experienced
by ourselves or by our loved ones are defined as events that involve helplessness and horror.

Common Traumatic examples include

• Sudden, unexpected death of of loved one for any reason
• Early childhood, teen abuse neglect
• Unfaithfulness or Betrayal in a trusting relationship
• Domestic Violence
• Criminal acts of any kind
• Random or Intentionally targeted Criminal act 
• Car Accident or Workplace accident or injury
• Violent acts in the community,  workplace or faith community
• Weather related losses

Stages of Therapy

Therapy is stage oriented. Each of the three stages of therapy serve to keep therapy on track, organize the tasks of therapy and map progress in therapy.  A Brief overview of each stage is provided.

Stage One - Stabilization

• Understanding PTSD (or other diagnosis) 
• Understanding Trauma and the Brain
• ​Understanding Grief
• Safety
• Containing problematic symptoms, feelings, thoughts and behaviors
• Containing triggers,
• Addressing resistance
• Mobilizing support systems
• Self-care, addressing medical concerns
• Relationship issues, assertion, boundaries
• Intentionally bringing joy into your life

Stage Two - Processing Traumatic Material 

• Using BASK, EMDR, DBT, CBT to process trauma
• Create a safe space to work through trauma events
• Begin to make sense of the trauma event that has impacted your life and loved one's life.
• Establishing trusting relationships with a therapist
• Reaching out to friends in grief who bear witness to your story of trauma
•  Expressing yourself through art, music, dance, writing, gardening etc...
• Bring trauma to resolution
• Grief and mourning
• Addressing Crisis of Faith Issues
• Forgiveness
• Therapy is not linear, it is structured while being flexible, moving back and forth between stages

Stage Three - Reconnection

• Redefining oneself in the context of meaningful relationships and engagement in life 
• Being free to be and reconnection with your true loving self
• Following  your joy, passion, purpose and true calling in life
• Growing and establishing a stronger, deeper reconnection with the divine
• Continue to learn and grow by helping others who have experienced similar trauma events.
•  Rising above and transcending trauma while ascending with an indomitable  human spirit
• Transforming trauma to Mission Statements to give back and offer hope through service to others 

                           

Grief's Gift is the Healing Protocol that wraps you in Love, binds you in Hope and moves you forward in Peace. - Lynn Widdifield