Grief Therapy in Huntsville, Madison, & North Alabama
Get help for your grief
We grieve as big as we loved.
Does grief seem to be swallowing you whole?
SLEEP IS THE ONLY RELIEF (EXCEPT FOR THE NIGHTMARES). OR THE DREAMS WHERE THEY’RE ALIVE AGAIN.
You wake up in a blissful state of forgetfulness - until the memories come flooding in. You've lost someone you loved with your whole heart.
It's an unthinkable nightmare that you have to keep living in this world, without your loved one. With losing them, you've lost your identity, your focus, and your purpose.
Memories play back like a video loop that won't shut off.
Meanwhile, your body feels like a weight has descended on it and won't let up. You can't perform daily tasks you used to do with your eyes closed. You're tired all the time and can't focus on anything deeper than a TV show you've seen a hundred times.
You can't believe the gall of everyone else living their normal life, that the world keeps going on as if nothing happened. Friends don't know what to say, and some people make unthinkably hurtful comments, like “Well, at least she's in a better place” or “Maybe God just needed another angel.”
Your boss expects you to keep performing, even though your life has changed forever.
Your spouse stares at you worriedly, and comments frequently that you should get out more - as if the sadness won't follow you wherever you go.
Friends think they're being helpful by pressuring you to do this or that, but really it's just increasing the internal conflict and adding to the feeling that nobody sees you or gets you.
How therapy eases the pain of grief
Imagine . . .
✔︎ Walking through life confident in your ability instead of bracing, waiting for the next huge wave of emotion to hit.
✔︎ Being able to say no confidently, or telling your friends to hold your RSVP’s loosely in case you change your mind at the last minute.
✔︎ Knowing your body so well that you anticipate bad moments
✔︎ Escaping to a quiet place for some deep breaths and grounding techniques, then emerging refreshed.
✔︎ Moving through life at a slower pace that fits where you are right now, surrounded by helpful friends who care about your needs, and give you space to figure the rest out.
. . . Therapy can help get you here.
Lived experience
I’ve walked my own path of grief through the full-term pregnancy loss I suffered. I’ve had to walk my own journey of allowing myself to grieve, learning to tell my story, and developing (and using!) regulation skills. My grief led me to join GriefShare, and later lead groups. I’ve been a facilitator for GriefShare over the past 10 years.
With grief therapy in Madison AL, you’ll learn how to . . .
Recognize grief triggers.
Navigate difficult days, like holidays, birthdays, and anniversaries.
Ask for what you need and how to say “no” to over-committing.
Use regulation tools and scan your body, heart, and mind for early warning signs that you need a break.
Say “yes” when you mean “yes” and “no” when you mean no, and even give yourself permission to change your mind!
Work within your window of tolerance, not push against it or even live outside of it
Trauma-informed grief therapy in Madison AL means we'll go at the pace that's right for you, respecting your nervous system’s limitations instead of working against it.
Therapy for grief in Madison AL can help you
✔︎ Recognize the difference between helpful vs. unhelpful friends.
✔︎ Begin to identify your needs and wants . . . and ask for them.
✔︎ Learn how to interpret your emotions and what they're telling you, without being ruled by them.
It’s possible to find relief.
FAQs
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The unbearable feelings that come with grief can make you wonder how long does grief last? The short answer is, it’s different with everyone. It depends on who you lost, the circumstances around your loss, your relationship with your loved one, and more. But getting help now with grief therapy in Madison can ease the process and equip you for the path.
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Some helpful tips for grieving:
Get plenty of rest. Expect to move at a slower pace.
Write a grief letter to your friends and family, detailing what you need right now.
Write a list of losses. Did you lose not only a mom, but also a best friend and caretaker for your kids? Did you lose an uncle who was more like a father to you? The best pecan pie cook in the South? Write it out.
Get help for how to grieve your unique grief process with a trusted grief counselor in Madison AL.
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You may have heard about various stages in the grieving process, from shock to anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. While this can be a helpful outline for some, it causes distress for others: Why am I bouncing back and forth between stages? I thought I was finished with anger! Discuss this with a Madison grief counselor now.
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What you’re going through is normal. The restlessness or sleeping all day. The anger and despair. The questioning, heaviness, or brain fog. It’s all part of the grieving process, and it’s normal to have a range of conflicting feelings.