Trauma-Related Grief: Addressing Grief & Loss through Therapy
The unexpected death and sudden loss of a loved one due to an accident, suicide, forced separation, or war ask the bereaved to confront two tasks: healing from trauma and metabolizing grief. In the face of trauma-related grief, the task of healing from trauma involves reprocessing memories. While also finding safety in your body and with others, and creating pathways for connection. The task of metabolizing grief involves building a relationship with sorrow, loss, and the parts of us that show up in the face of it. Having to move between processing the loss and reconstructing meaning in life. While forming a new bond with the departed. For support in navigating these complex emotions, consider Trauma Therapy in Los Angeles, CA at Therapy on Fig. Our trauma therapists are dedicated to helping you heal and find peace amidst grief and loss, as well as trauma.
Navigating through Grief & Loss
Engaging in both tasks provides the space for people to connect with themselves, their values, a sense of community, and with the departed. Unfortunately, living in a grief-averse society often interrupts this process.
In a grief-averse society, grief is often asked to be hidden or expressed within a certain window of time. There is an expectation of having "gotten over it" and "moved on" as the years go by. Pressure exists to think solely about the positive, what's left, and what the departed meant to you while denying the loss and the pain one feels with such a great absence. There is an undermining and dismissal of the innate need for people to remember the loss and reassemble their lives without that person in it throughout their lifetime.
In The Wild Edge of Sorrow, Francis Weller shares that when grief is ignored and unattended to, it becomes congested and begins to complicate our lives. When clients are confronted with trauma-related grief, the following are offerings presented to clients to help them move through it.
NAME WHAT HAS HAPPENED
When we name the person who is gone, the relationship that is forced to change, and what caused our person to leave this world, we give ourselves the chance to no longer suppress or exile our grief and loss. Think of the people and spaces where you can freely name what happened. What do you want to be able to name and give a story to?
Identify the Parts of Us that Show Up in Grief & Loss
There may be parts of yourself that try to distract and protect you from feeling the pain of the loss. Some parts of yourself may encourage you to work through the loss. Parts of yourself may ask to distance yourself from others out of the fear of being misunderstood and silenced. By identifying the parts of us that show up in grief and loss, we can work to understand their intentions and how our relationship with them can help us move through loss and sorrow.
FIND GRIEF-ORIENTED COMMUNITIES
Grief is not only a painful experience but an isolating one. By finding a grief-oriented community, we are assured that there is a home for us to name what has happened, to have all the parts of us that show up in loss be welcomed, and to feel connected to and validated by others who are also metabolizing grief. This can look like a grief support group, an organization that offers grief rituals, a death cafe, or even participating in The Dinner Party.
ENGAGE IN PRACTICES TO HELP REGULATE YOUR NERVOUS SYSTEM
With trauma-related grief, certain places, memories, experiences, dates, and words may activate and dysregulate our autonomic nervous system. This can lead us to either a survival state of fight or flight or a survival state of shutting down. In these instances, Polyvagal Informed Therapy can help us map our autonomic nervous system. This helps us become aware over time of what activates each state and what resources we can use to return to a state of regulation, safety, and connection.
FORM A NEW BOND WITH THE DEPARTED
At the core of loss is an attachment and bond that has been severed by death. Reconstructing life and a new bond with the departed is unique to each person. This can look like creating an altar or space with photos and mementos that remind you of your loved one, writing letters or poetry for them, listening to music you enjoyed together, or honoring your loved one's presence on special days such as birthdays or holidays.
A Focus on Grief & Loss through Trauma Therapy
Making room to consider what grief and loss has occurred in the face of trauma helps us address the tasks of healing from trauma and metabolizing grief. In a world where we are often asked to hide our sorrows and forget, to honor and be in relationship with our grief gives us the room to live more fully.
Address your Grief & Loss with Trauma Therapy in Los Angeles, CA Today!
If you're struggling with grief and loss, Therapy on Fig offers specialized Trauma Therapy in Los Angeles, CA to help you heal. Our therapists are experienced in providing compassionate and effective therapy to support you through these difficult times. We offer a safe space to explore your feelings, process your experiences, and work towards healing. Our trauma-informed approach ensures that you receive the support you need to navigate these challenging emotions. Let us support you on your journey to healing by following the steps below:
Reach out to schedule a free consultation.
Speak with a caring trauma therapist.
Live a more fulfilling life by moving forward with your grief and loss.
Other Therapy Services Offered at Therapy on Fig in Los Angeles, Highland Park, and throughout California
At Therapy on Fig, we offer a comprehensive range of therapy services tailored to address grief and loss through Trauma Therapy in Los Angeles, Highland Park, and across California. In addition to trauma-focused care, we provide specialized services to address various needs, including anxiety and depression. Our compassionate therapists are committed to delivering personalized care, empowering you to embark on a transformative journey towards healing. Reach out today to take the first step towards navigating your grief and loss and achieving greater well-being.
