Losing someone close to you can be one of the most difficult things in life to endure. You can feel so small up against the grief; the grief that relentlessly comes in waves, tumbling you over and over again in the surf. It can feel isolating, lonely, unnatural, and bitter. You may notice the grief in your body as sensations like rapid breathing, a pounding heart, tight muscles, or a churning stomach. Everyone’s journey through grief is unique with a wide array of thoughts, feelings, emotions, and sensations.
A Grief Support Group isn’t for everyone, but it may be for you if:
You need a safe place to process your grief
Calling somewhere a “safe place” is not enough. Sometimes it takes some time to feel safe in a support group and that’s ok. It’s important to us that we cultivate a culture of trust that feels welcoming and is comprised of compassion, respect, empathy, forgiveness, openness, and reliability.
You would like to connect with others who speak the same grief language
While no two people experience grief in the same way, there are similarities in how you may encounter grief in your experiences, feelings, and struggles. Participating in a group with people who have also lost someone can foster a level of connection and support that is often more difficult to find within our circle of family and friends who may not be as close to the loss as you.
You crave a sense of normalcy
Grief is transformational. It changes you. It’s not uncommon to wonder if what you’re experiencing is normal or to feel like life is suddenly unnatural and abnormal. Grief is an ongoing process of change and adaptation. Attending a group with others who have experienced a loss can offer perspective by learning that there are many different ways to grieve, and all ways are natural and acceptable. There is no time limit for grief, no right or wrong way.
You would benefit from learning coping strategies and helping each other
In sharing your experiences of loss, pain and growth, you have an opportunity to help one another through the healing process. You can find solace and renewal in helping and giving to others.
You seek a place to gain hope
Because we all move through grief in our own time and way, you may often meet others in a group who are farther along in their grief process. Those interactions can help you realize that you do grow larger around our grief in time, the pain subsides, and eventually you start to feel better.
You’re searching for acceptance and validation
Humans inherently want to belong and feel accepted. Although your experiences may look differently in the wake of loss, you can connect with others on an emotional level. We all experience emotions like sadness, anger, guilt, and shame. Shared experiences through emotions allows you a greater opportunity to empathize with one another. When you connect at that level, you can feel heard and understood, accepted, and validated.
You want a place to learn and understand the grief process
How grief impacts our relationships and relates to mental, physical and spiritual health is a need for many who are grieving. A group setting is also a great space to get connected to additional resources. Not only will you learn from your group facilitators but also from one another. Check out our blog Understanding the Stages of Grief After Loss for more information on this.
You would like to learn how to preserve your relationship with the deceased
When you experience a loss from death, they’re no longer here physically but you may be able to learn, in time, how to redefine your relationship with the person you’ve lost. A group setting may provide the opportunity to discover new traditions and ideas to keep loved ones present in your heart and memories.
You would like to better understand your sense of identity
Depending on the type of loss experienced, your sense of identity may be significantly altered. You sometimes must reorient to who you are in the world. Hearing how others adjust in this space can be helpful and supportive in your own process.
You would like a sounding board
A grief support group is a great space to support one another through new or ongoing concerns and challenges and to celebrate progress together. Having a “safe haven” to share your story and to receive and provide emotional support can have a positive impact on your movement through grief.
Grief and loneliness can go hand in hand. The changes you experience when facing a loss can spiral you into feeling alienated and misunderstood. As a human being, you are hardwired for connection, but struggles with overwhelming sadness, anger, anxiety, or depression can cause you to isolate in an attempt to avoid interactions that may trigger your grief even more. Social and emotional isolation can put you at risk for serious health conditions. When the time feels right for you to connect with others, a grief support group may help you take this important step in the grieving process.
How We Can Help
We are currently enrolling for a support group for those experiencing grief and loss.
For adults who are grieving the loss of a loved one who are ready to go from lonely and distraught to feeling at peace.
This group will be hosted by Shannon Heers and Dayshun Stevens.
If you are looking for general support, or if you would like to talk to someone more about how we can help you, follow these simple steps:
Contact us today for a free 20-minute phone consultation
Or, you can book directly online with the therapist of your choice
Begin your journey towards a calmer, more relaxed life
Other Therapy Services Available at Catalyss Counseling:
Here at Catalyss Counseling, we want to meet all of your counseling needs in the Denver area. Our supportive therapists provide depression counseling, therapy for caregiver stress, grief and loss therapy, stress management counseling and more. We also have specialists in trauma and PTSD, women's issues, pregnancy and postpartum depression or anxiety, pregnancy loss and miscarriage, and birth trauma. For therapists, we can also provide clinical supervision! We look forward to connecting with you to help support your journey today.
Author Biography:
I’m Dayshun Stevens, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with Colorado In Home Counseling. I have a great passion for supporting others in their pursuit of health and growth. I believe that healing starts from the inside and happens in a safe interpersonal context. I walk alongside people navigating grief and loss, anxiety, depression, chronic illness, trauma, mindfulness, relationships, life transitions, and mind-body alignment. My ideal client is looking for support through life transitions, relief from daily stressors, is working through a traumatic experience, or coping with chronic pain and/or illness.
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