grief & loss
Life inevitably brings loss. Grief is that overwhelming emotion experienced from the pain of losing a loved one. Despite the universality of grief and loss, we rarely feel prepared for the challenges, sadness, and adjustments required when we face the death of a loved one. Unfortunately, in our society grief is often misunderstood and grievers are pressured to return to normal when life is turned upside down. Grief therapy can give you a safe place to express difficult emotions, find ways to honour your loved one, and develop coping skills as you process your grief. Grief can change over time as your life grows around it and you learn that joy and pain can coexist. At Your Road Forward we are honoured to walk with you during your grief journey.
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why we grieve?
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Someone you loved has died: your spouse, your child, your mother or father, your sibling, a close relative, your friend.
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Someone you loved died by suicide.
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You or someone you love is facing a health crisis where the outcome is unsure or dire.
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A beloved pet has died.
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You lost something to which you had a strong emotional connection: a relationship, a job, a home, a role.
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You are estranged from someone you love and are having difficulty finding meaning and a sense of identity in their absence.
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You lost someone a long time ago but recent events have initiated a delayed grief response.
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You experienced trauma around the death of a loved one.
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You have a loss that no one knows about or does not understand so you feel invalidated or unseen in your grief.
what is grief?
Grief is a natural and universal response to loss. It is a complex emotional, physical, and psychological reaction to the death of a loved one, the end of a significant relationship, or any other experience that involves the loss of something important to us.
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Grief can manifest in many ways, and its intensity and duration vary from person to person. Some of the common emotional experiences associated with grief include sadness, anger, guilt, regret, loneliness, and despair. Physical symptoms can include fatigue, insomnia, changes in appetite, and loss of energy. Grief can also affect cognitive and behavioral processes, such as difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness, and withdrawing from social interactions.
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While grief is often associated with the death of a loved one, it can also be experienced in response to other losses, such as the loss of a job, a home, a pet, or a dream. Grief is a natural process that can be painful and challenging, but it can also offer opportunities for growth and healing. With time, support, and self-care, many people are able to navigate the grieving process and find ways to move forward with a sense of meaning and purpose.