Your Guide to Understanding Christian Grief Counseling
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Searching for Answers? Learn More About Grief in This Online Guide
If you’re looking for grief counseling, we first want to say we’re sorry for your loss.
We wish we could say or do something that could make the pain of your loss disappear, but we know that no words can erase the sense of loss you feel. Whether you’re grieving the loss of a loved one, a pet, a job, sound health, or something else, Recovering from a startling and stunning jolt of sadness is a process that takes time.
At Light Counseling, we have a passion for helping people healthily process the stages of grief—and we can help you, too. While the heartfelt condolence of friends and family serves a vital role in the healing journey, meeting with a grief counselor can help you learn about the grieving process, understand your feelings, and process the loss you’re experiencing in a manageable way.
With online grief counseling available through Light Counseling+, we take the challenging part out of meeting a grief therapist by bringing counseling to your living room. We also have offices throughout Virginia and New York.
It’s easy to feel that all is lost during a season of grief, but that isn’t the case. Meeting with one of our counselors can help you find light amidst the clouds that loom over you, healing in a place of hurting and closure as you move forward with loving remembrance and Christlike direction.
Here’s What Grief Often Look Like:
The aftermath of a loss can be overwhelming, no matter how many times you’ve grieved a loss before, how many people are there for you, or how much time has elapsed since the loss.
It’s understandable, healthy, and essential to grieve during the first bit of time after a difficult loss. However, if the worst grief feelings persist for a prolonged time, you may want to consider chatting with one of our grief counseling Christian counselors. Here are a few common symptoms of grief that may indicate you could benefit from meeting with a grief counselor:
- Avoidance of things that remind you of the person or thing you lost
- Difficulty completing routine tasks
- Guilt and self-blame
- Intense and persistent sadness
- Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed
- Loss of purpose and meaning
- Trouble sleeping
What Sets Light Counseling Apart From Ordinary Christian Grief Counseling?
Committed to Clinical Excellence
At Light Counseling, we’re committed to providing you with quality care marked by clinical excellence from the beginning of your grieving season to the end, however long it takes. We demonstrate our commitment to your well-being by employing expert in-person and online grief counselors who utilize time-tested, proven theories. We also collaborate with medical experts and doctor’s offices to ensure you get the help you need, even if it’s not just counseling.
At Light, our therapists hold advanced degrees and have experience helping people deal with grief and process their feelings healthily. Our Christian grief counselors employ a variety of theories and approaches to their work—all aimed at helping you accept the reality of your loss, grieve, and move forward. We understand that no two cases of grief are the same, and we are committed to walking alongside you throughout the grieving process for as long it takes.
Rooted in the Christian Faith
At Light Counseling, our grief counseling is built on biblical principles—empowering us to offer faith-based guidance that helps people experience the Lord’s closeness in seasons of brokenheartedness. Our grief counselors can help you lean on your faith as you grieve.
From the moment you step into our office or log in to your online therapy session, you’ll have an environment free from judgment and full of genuine care and compassion. Whether you opt for in-person or online grief counseling, your therapist is ready to listen, understand, and gently guide you through your season of loss.
Contact a team member today for world-class Christian grief counseling.
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FAQ’s About Christian Counseling for Grief and Loss
What are the five stages of grief?
The five stages of grief are:
- Denial – In this initial stage of the grieving process, people deny that the tragic loss has happened. The reality of the loss hasn’t sunk in yet, and the situation does not seem real.
- Anger – Loss can seem cruel and unfair, and anger is an understandable and human response. If you’re in a season of loss and feel angry, you’re not alone.
- Bargaining – Bargaining is another stage in the grieving process. In this stage, people may attempt to reconcile with the past and present. People bargaining with the past may mull over memories and supposedly pivotal moments, using “what if” thinking. Those bargaining with the present may try to make deals with themselves, others, or God – believing that if they act a certain way or do something, they’ll feel better.
- Depression is when the reality of a loss begins to sink in, and people start to understand that the loss is permanent and things have changed. Deep sadness, difficulty eating, lack of interest in activities, and an inability to focus are just a few symptoms that might surface during this stage.
- Acceptance – This is where most people begin to turn a corner. The reality of a loss has sunk in, and people acknowledge that life is different now.
No two cases of grief are the same, and the feelings accompanying loss can be intense. That’s where talking with a counselor can help. Getting in touch with one of our therapists can help you glean a greater perspective on your season of grief and find meaning amidst your loss.
How long does grief typically last?
The duration of grief varies, but it’s common for the process to last a year or more.
Do you offer online grief therapy?
Yes! We offer grief counseling online through Light Counseling + in 26 states—so you can get quality Christian care, even if you don’t live near one of our offices. With a growing network of providers whose expertise and care for you are preceded only by their love of God, we are committed to bringing you the best in grief Christian counseling.
What are some ways I can support someone who is grieving?
- Spend time with your loved one. Seasons of loss can be incredibly lonely, as grief pushes people into isolation—where depression is only worsened. If you know someone in a season of loss, one of the best things you can do is spend time with them, call them, and find ways to let them know you’re there for them and you care.
- Let the grieving person lead the conversation. A grieving person doesn’t always need someone to offer solutions or pep talks – they might want someone who listens.
- Be patient. The grieving process takes time. Being consistently available to someone grieving goes a long way in helping them recover.
- Pray with them. In Matthew 18:20, Jesus said, “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” Christ, who is the God of all comfort (2 Cor. 1:3-4), is close to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18), present to believers during difficult times (Psalm 23:7), and able to help us find meaning amidst grief. We invite Him to do His work in our lives through prayer.