Stages of Grief

After the unexpected death of his wife, Irish author C.S. Lewis wrote in A Grief Observed, "No one ever told me that grief felt so like fear. The death of a beloved is an amputation."

While dealing with grief is not easy, we believe the grief support within this section of our website can help. Should you need additional support in grieving your loss, please call us at 203-426-2751. We will do everything we can to assist you.

Grieving with Purpose

No one is prepared for grief. The rush of feelings, the thoughts, anxieties, and heartache can take us by surprise and drive us to our knees. Yet, when we choose to harness that power for self-growth, amazing things can happen. Good can come from pain.

Sigmund Freud first brought up the concept of grief work in 1917, and today the idea that bereavement is purpose-driven continues.

Dr. James Worden chose to see the work of bereavement as task-oriented:

Your current job is to focus your attention on achieving each of those goals. It will not occur in any logical order; each of us is different and the path we walk in the bereavement journey is not a straight one.

Dealing with grief is hard work. It takes both courage and hard work to successfully adapt to the loss of a significant person in your life.

Six Grief Stages Along Your Journey

Dr. Stephen Joseph identifies what he calls six stages to facilitate posttraumatic growth. He reminds readers too that "posttraumatic growth does not imply the absence of emotional distress and difficulties in living. It does imply that it is possible through the struggle to come out on the other side, stronger and more philosophical about life."

Before identifying these six stages, Dr. Joseph reminds his readers of three very important things:

• You are not on your own
• Trauma is a normal and natural process
• Growth is a journey

Grief Support

Preparing for Death

If you avoid dealing with death, you may become more vulnerable and unable to grieve. We offer support in accepting loss and preparing for death.

Ending Denial and Finding Acceptance

Acceptance puts an end to denial by releasing disbelief. In doing so, you can fully include the death of a loved one into your life and find peace-of-mind.

For Friends of the Bereaved

Have you chosen to help someone who is grieving the death of a loved one? If so, this article was written for you. It offers insights and provides suggestions on how best to support them during this time.

When Grief Doesn't Ease & Mourning is Neglected

This article takes a closer look at what's considered normal grieving compared to more complicated grief. We can look for signals to see if our grief may be going off track.

Sources: 
Freud, Sigmund. On the History of the Psycho-Analytic Movement Papers on Metaphyschology and Other Works.
Worden, James. Grief Counseling & Grief Therapy: A Handbook for the Mental Health Practitioner
Fleming, Stephen. The Changing Face of Grief: From 'Going On to 'On-Going''
Joseph, Stephen. What Doesn't Kill Us: the New Psychology of Posttraumatic Growth