Support After a Significant Loss

Complicated grief, also known as prolonged grief, occurs when the pain of loss is so intense and persistent that it interferes with a person’s ability to function in daily life. Individuals may have difficulty accepting the loss, experience intense yearning, or avoid reminders of the deceased. They may also feel stuck in their grief for months or years, unable to move forward or find a sense of peace. Therapy can help by offering structured support to process overwhelming emotions and regain functional coping skills.

Anticipatory grief refers to the grief that occurs before a loss actually happens. It is common when someone is facing the impending death of a loved one, such as due to a terminal illness. People may experience sadness, fear, or anxiety about the future, often feeling overwhelmed by the emotional burden before the loss even occurs. This form of grief can affect relationships and day-to-day functioning as people prepare for the inevitable.  Therapy can help by providing a space to process the anxiety and sadness while preparing emotionally for the impending loss.

Disenfranchised grief occurs when a person’s grief is not acknowledged or supported by others. This can happen when the loss is not socially recognized (e.g., the death of a pet, the end of a non-traditional relationship, or an abortion). It may also occur if the grieving individual is expected to "move on" quickly or is told to “get over it” by others. This lack of recognition can leave the griever feeling isolated and unsupported in their emotional pain. Therapy can help by examining, acknowledging and processing the loss, offering a safe space for expression of the emotions associated with grief.

Chronic grief involves ongoing, intense grief symptoms that persist over an extended period of time. It is characterized by a difficulty in moving through the various stages of grief, such as acceptance or emotional adjustment. Unlike complicated grief, which involves a deep emotional struggle that disrupts daily life, chronic grief often manifests as a long-term state of mourning that may remain largely unchanged for months or years. Therapy can be a critical tool in working through these complex grief issues, and it can help individuals struggling to find new ways to integrate their grief into their lives.