Coping with Loss and
Moving Forward with Grief

The hummingbird shows us how to revisit the past for the purpose of releasing it instead of being caught in a permanently backward flight pattern. It also helps us to see that if we step aside we may see our life differently

Are you struggling to accept the diagnosis of a “terminal illness” due to appearing healthy at the moment? Are you shocked by or unable to believe the diagnosis(es)?

Do you feel angry at the world, guilty or sad about the difficult medical procedures or complex need, and/or nostalgic about life before the medical diagnosis was given?

Have treatments that were meant to improve the medical condition or complex need failed, had challenging side effects, and/or led to a reduction in quality of life, ultimately creating anxiety about your expectations for the future?

Does it “hit you harder than expected” or does the sadness linger longer after you’ve learned of the challenges experienced by or the passing of another person with a similar illness or complex need?

Are you struggling with loss, focused on death or dying even before facing an illness-based loss, and/or while facing the challenges of a medical condition or complex need?

Therapy can help…

provide emotional support while you process difficult feelings that can develop when a chronic illness or complex need shifts expectations for the future
communicate common reactions to life-threatening medical conditions or complex treatments, such as anticipatory grief, that occur in advance of expected lifestyle changes or losses
identify coping strategies for developing resilience and the ability to manage unexpected or unclear future losses

It can be tempting to keep difficult grief and loss related feelings to yourself if you are uncertain whether anyone will truly understand your point of view.

One aim of therapy is to reduce the sense of isolation connected to experiencing strong, valid and overwhelming emotions in response to a medical condition or complex need. Another focus is to help you feel more empowered to cope with difficult feelings over time.

Please reach out to set up a free 15 minute consultation if you find yourself in need of empathic support.