CBT for grief & bereavement
Grief is a natural reaction to loss. Everyone experiences grief at some point in their lives, yet it is an incredibly personal and unique experience for all of us.
Grief tends to be associated with the death of a loved one, but it can also be triggered by the ending of a relationship or a diagnosis of a life changing or terminal illness that they or a close family member or friend has received.
Overwhelming grief makes the task of adjusting to living in a world without a loved one incredibly difficult. It’s an all-engulfing emotion and there are no rules for the length of time it takes a person to process their grief and accept their bereavement.
In some cases, the sense of loss can make a person feel completely numb, unable to move on and feel removed from everyday life, which can lead to additional issues of anxiety or depression.
How CBT can help to cope with grief
It’s very important for a grieving person to understand that bereavement is a process, and to recognise the stages of mourning their loss. A qualified CBT therapist can provide a helpful and empathetic framework to help clients comprehend the grieving process.
A cognitive behavioural therapist will help their client to process their feelings and emotions as they move through the five levels of grieving: denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. They will help the person to express and understand their complex and painful emotions in a supportive and safe environment.
CBT is an evidence-based form of therapy that can help a person assimilate their feelings of loss into their everyday life and give them the tools that allow them to make adaptions to help them to find a way to live with and accept their bereavement.
Jamie Dempsey is an Accredited Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist who has proven experience in improving the lives of hundreds of patients, helping them to gain a greater understanding of the intricacies of each stage of the grieving process.
For professional help in managing grief, contact Jamie and take the first step towards the acceptance of the painful loss of a loved one.
