Grief and loss Counseling

When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory. – 1 Corinthians 15:54-55

One of the fundamental differences between the Christian world and the secular is that we have faith that death, as we know it, will one day meet a final and lasting end. Through faith in Jesus, we are given the precious promise of eternal life and victory over sin and death. Though that can offer a measure of comfort, actually experiencing loss of a loved one can be extraordinarily difficult to bear. This time can bring all kinds of struggles, from emotional to spiritual as you wrestle with questions of life and faith. God knows this, and He offers us comfort through Christ and fellow Christians.

That is what Christian grief counseling is about — helping those who suffered loss find peace and comfort through a better understanding of life, death, and the mercy of Christ through bible-based guidance and professional bereavement counseling.

When struggling with grief, or any other issue for that matter, we often go searching for answers to help us understand what we feel or to normalize our responses. If you wonder what “normal” grieving is like, that is completely normal. In reality, everyone grieves in their own way, but there are general stages of grief that most go through, though not always in the same way or even in the same order.

The stages of grief include:

• Denial – “This isn’t happening.”
• Anger – “This is all your fault.”
• Bargaining – “I’ll do anything to keep this from happening.”
• Depression – “I can’t live like this.”
• Acceptance – “This is real and I’m going to be okay.”

Learning about the stages of grief might help you understand your own emotions, but how you experience and deal with these stages can determine whether or not you could benefit from Christian grief counseling.

Do I Need Grief Counseling?

Many people are able to deal with loss without professional help, but others become so consumed by the experience of grief that they become trapped by it, unable to move forward with their life. If you think you or a loved one might be stuck in grief or have turned to harmful behaviors as a way of dealing with grief, then it might be time for grief and loss counseling.

Contact one of our Christian grief counselors if you:

• Blame yourself for the loss.
• Find yourself stuck in spinning thoughts.
• Feel life is no longer worth living.
• Have thoughts of death or suicide.
• Feel disconnected from others for more than a few weeks.
• Have difficulty trusting others after the loss.
• Are unable to return to daily activities.

If you feel stuck in grief and are unable to function from day to day, then you might be suffering from complicated grief. Complicated grief is a real condition, locking a person in grief with little to no improvement within a year of the loss.

Symptoms of complicated grief include:

• Persistent sadness.
• Longing for the lost.
• Preoccupation with the lost person or circumstances surrounding the loss.
• Difficulty engaging in happy memories of the lost one.
• Avoidance of reminders of the lost one.
• Lost desire for participating in activities.
• Bitterness or anger.

If you suffered a recent loss and want support, or if you can’t move past a loss that happened months or even years ago, the Christian grief counselors at Seattle Christian Counseling are here to help you find healing.

Does My Child Need Grief Counseling?

Handling grief in children can be a struggle, especially when trying to deal with a loss yourself. If your family lost a close relative or friend, or even a family pet, your child might benefit from Christian grief counseling. At Seattle Christian Counseling, our team of experienced child and adolescent counselors will create a safe, warm environment that will help your child express and manage strong emotions, and will work with you to help your child deal with questions about death and dying as well as faith. To learn more, visit our Christian Counseling for Children and Teens page.

Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope – 1 Thessalonians 4:13

As Christians, one thing we have is hope in life eternal through Christ. You might ask, what if I lost a loved one who wasn’t Christian? When this happens, we understand how you must feel, and your counselor will help you work through the many emotions and concerns you have. Whatever the details of your loss, Christian grief counseling offers a compassionate place for you to process your experiences while offering tools for helping you continue living a meaningful, Christ-filled life.

Will I Ever Heal from Grief?

Everyone deals with grief in their own way. Sometimes, the best thing is just to have someone who is outside of the loss to talk to – someone who won’t try to suppress your emotions or try to force you to “move on.” Through years of Christian grief counseling, we have seen people find ways of dealing with even the most difficult losses, and we have faith that you will find what you need for healing.

Christian grief counseling can help you:

• Accept the reality of the loss.
• Understand and work through grief.
• Adjust to life without the deceased.
• Maintain a healthy connection to the deceased.

At Seattle Christian Counseling, we approach grief and loss counseling with a faith-based perspective. During these times, having a place to turn to where your beliefs are encouraged, where you can work through any questions you have about death, loss, and faith can be very helpful and necessary for full healing from grief.

Be merciful to me, Lord, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul, and body with grief. My life is consumed by anguish and my years by groaning; my strength fails because of my affliction and my bones grow weak. – Psalm 31:9

Any form of loss can be tragic, but when dealing with a sudden, violent, or in some other way traumatic loss, healing from grief can feel impossible. You might even struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder. If you experience any of the following symptoms of PTSD, get help right away.

Symptoms of PTSD Include:

• Reliving details of the traumatic event through memories, nightmares, and flashbacks.
• Avoiding people, places, or events that are reminders of the traumatic event.
• Emotional sensitivity, anger, fear, and feeling “jumpy.”
• Difficulty sleeping.

With time and the help of Christian counseling for grief and loss, you can learn to manage your emotions and regain control of your life. If you are struggling with a traumatic loss, then you might consider Christian trauma counseling.

At Seattle Christian Counseling, we’ve helped people rebuild after loss. Whether you think you might suffer from complicated grief, or if you’ve recently suffered a loss and need additional support, our Christian grief counselors are here for you.

Healing from grief is possible. Contact us to start Christian grief counseling today.

To learn more about Christian grief counseling at Seattle Christian Counseling, we welcome you to contact us online or give us a call at 206-388-3929 to schedule your risk-free initial session*.