Grief is a journey, a unique and individual process that shouldn't be experienced alone. Your grief reflects a connection with the loved one you've
lost; a physical connection that is no longer.
Emotions during the grief process may not necessarily be clear, and that's okay.
You may cry without warning, or be mystified as to why you can't cry at all. You may be angry at the world, or maybe at your loved one. Regardless,
a significant challenge often entails making time to grieve. You may need assistance because grieving can be unpleasant, frightening work. Yet, in being
able to set time aside, as well as occasionally grieve spontaneously, you will ultimately become gentler toward yourself, better equipped to honor however
you are feeling.
Grief is not something to be rushed through or gotten over. While there's no way to be certain when you will feel more peaceful, it is important to know
that being vulnerable and allowing the pain to surface is empowering grief work. The more open you are to working through your grief, the
greater the opportunity for deep healing.
Grief is how one reacts to a loss. Grief reactions may be experienced in response to physical losses, such as a death or in response to symbolic or
social losses such as divorce or loss of a job. All loss involves the absence of someone loved or something that
fulfills a significant need in life.
There is no right or wrong way to grieve after a significant loss. Most discover how to eventually move on with life,
even though the grief experience
is a difficult and trying time.
Coping styles depend on our personality and relationship with the person who has died. This experience can
also be affected by cultural
and religious background, coping skills, mental history, and their support system. Taking care of yourself, accessing
the support of friends and family
can help a person get through difficult times. You don't have to do it alone and therapy can help you through the
process.
Holistic Grief Therapy
Holistic grief therapy can be extremely helpful in processing grief. The
guiding principles of a holistic practitioner include the following:
To exhibit and attitude of nonjudgment and caring for patients, self and other practitioners.
To encourage the conscious pursuit of the highest qualities of spiritual, emotional, physical, environmental and social aspects of the human experience, and the awareness of being fully present and fully alive.
To create a safe, effective atmosphere for assessment and treatment, including education for lifestyle changes and self-care, while utilizing the best combination of conventional and alternative therapeutic approaches.
To provide treatment and support to the whole person and not just the symptoms.
To create a safe and supportive therapeutic relationship in which the patient remains autonomous. The ideal relationship considers the needs of both patient and therapist.
A holistic therapist is acutely aware that her or his example is significantly influential and constantly strives to live the life she or he teaches about.
A holistic therapist embraces all of the human qualities that is embodied by every individual and encourages the expression of love, hope, humor and enthusiasm to release the toxic consequences of anger, shame, greed, depression, fear and grief.
A holistic therapist believes that the patient is his or her own best healer.
