What is Grief?
Grief is a normal human emotion that often accompanies loss. Losing a job or a marriage, or the death of a loved one, can manifest in periods of extreme sadness, numbness, or guilt.
Much has been written about grief and the ‘stages’ or ‘phases’ that people may go through as they experience it. However, there is no absolute right or wrong way to grieve. As each individual is unique, so too is each individual’s way of grieving. Indeed, people will often grieve how they live. Emotionally expressive people may express their grief quite openly. Whereas more introverted people may grieve privately. Neither is more or less effective, as long as the person feels supported in however they express their grief (provided it is safe).
Stages of Grief
When it comes to the loss of a loved one, most people are able to effectively manage their grief over time with the support of those around them. They move through the intense first days, weeks and months. Whilst they never completely ‘get over’ the loss, they gradually learn to accept and incorporate it into their life in such a way that they can move forward.
However, a small proportion of people (about 10% of people grieving) experience continuous, extreme and disabling grief. This type of grief prevents them from resuming their life. Grief for these people seems to intensify and deepen over time, leading to difficulties in day-to-day functioning. Referred to in the past as ‘complicated’ or ‘prolonged’ grief, such an intense response has recently been recognised as a specific disorder.
Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD)
PGD is characterised by an intense and persistent grief that causes distress and interferes with daily life. Given this, it usually requires more support than family and friends alone can provide. It is important that professional help is sought to relieve such intensifying and debilitating grief symptoms. The good news is that evidence-based treatments are effective in helping those suffering from PGD.
If you or someone you know is experiencing grief of any kind which seems to be enduring, our highly trained, skilled psychologists would love to support you in the process of healing and accepting your loss and finding a way to move forward.
Katelyn (M Clin Psych, BA (Hons – First Class), MAPS) has experience working at a leading university research clinic in the area of anxiety disorders, as a school counsellor and in private practice work for adult mental health in the the North Shore area of Sydney. Katelyn is committed to establishing a strong therapeutic relationship with her clients by providing them with a safe and secure space to share their story. As a mother of school aged children with a busy load herself, she is well positioned to understand the challenges faced in doing life, school and work.
Katelyn’s approach takes an evidence-based focus, while maintaining a flexible and collaborative manner, to ensure that treatment is in line with her clients’ needs. She uses a range of evidence-based interventions, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) and supportive counselling with the overall aim of helping people of all ages utilise their strengths to achieve their desired outcomes and enhance their quality of life.
Katelyn is the wife of an Anglican Minister and has a particular interest in supporting clergy wives and families cope with the challenges that ministry can present.