Coping with Grief and Bereavement
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Grief is a reaction to any form of loss. Bereavement refers specifically to the process of recovering from the death of a loved one. Both encompass a range of feelings from deep sadness to anger.
The process of adapting to a significant loss can vary dramatically from one person to another, depending on his or her background, beliefs, relationship to what was lost, and other factors. To explain the transition that individuals move through as they learn to live with loss, the five stages of denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance are sometimes used. The five phases do not represent a linear timeline, but they can be a helpful way of framing and understanding the different factors in the grieving process. Recognising that each experience of grief is unique, Dr Laoudi tailors treatment to meet the specific needs of each person. She also works with people who are trying to cope with anticipatory grief, i.e. you or someone you love has been diagnosed with a terminal illness. |
Bereavement can lead to a period of profound personal distress or emotional detachment and this can continue for six months to two years following the loss. Whilst the grief and sadness gradually becomes more tolerable over time, the emotional intensity is often very strong in the early weeks. People often need personal time to acknowledge their loss and grieve in private.
The most common psychological and emotional symptoms of bereavement include emotional detachment, numbness, shock, disbelief, and denial. Emotional distress is often focused on separation , resulting in an all consuming sense of personal yearning, constant searching and sometimes intrusive images of death. This distress can lead to continuous crying, dreaming, delusions, visual and auditory hallucinations and detached or erratic behaviour. Some people will experience severe anger, will deny or protest the loss and will undergo significant periods of anxiety and depression. Therapy is an effective way to learn to cope with the stressors associated with the loss and to manage symptoms better. |
Therapy can help you make sense of what you are experiencing, regain a sense of control and express your emotions. It can empower you to make the changes you want to see in your life.
How Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Can Help
CBT works effectively with difficult grief reactions by taking clients through the stages inherent in the grieving process, and uses both cognitive (thinking) and behavioural techniques (doing) to cope more effectively with both the clinical symptoms of depression/anxiety as well as acting as an aid in the healing process.
Dr Laoudi is committed to ensuring that bereaved people benefit from the right timing and the right level of therapeutic support. Therapy provided at the earlier stages of bereavement is usually different from the techniques used to treat complicated or chronic grief and Dr Laoudi takes care to ensure that the support provided is time-appropriate.
CBT works effectively with difficult grief reactions by taking clients through the stages inherent in the grieving process, and uses both cognitive (thinking) and behavioural techniques (doing) to cope more effectively with both the clinical symptoms of depression/anxiety as well as acting as an aid in the healing process.
Dr Laoudi is committed to ensuring that bereaved people benefit from the right timing and the right level of therapeutic support. Therapy provided at the earlier stages of bereavement is usually different from the techniques used to treat complicated or chronic grief and Dr Laoudi takes care to ensure that the support provided is time-appropriate.
Dr Marietta Laoudi is a highly experienced CBT Therapist
I provide counselling and other support to people of all ages who have experienced a bereavement, significant loss, or life changing/limiting illness.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is the treatment of choice for grief and bereavement, depression, anxiety and stress, low self-esteem, fears & phobias, sleeping problems, as well as a wide range of other issues. CBT is evidence-based, which means that it has been proven to work quickly and with lasting effects.
CBT is a collaborative process. Together we work towards resolving your issues in a safe and confidential environment; making you happier at home, professionally and in your social life.
I offer individual face-to-face Cognitive and Behavioural Therapy sessions in my private practice in West London (Fulham), on the telephone and on Skype.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is the treatment of choice for grief and bereavement, depression, anxiety and stress, low self-esteem, fears & phobias, sleeping problems, as well as a wide range of other issues. CBT is evidence-based, which means that it has been proven to work quickly and with lasting effects.
CBT is a collaborative process. Together we work towards resolving your issues in a safe and confidential environment; making you happier at home, professionally and in your social life.
I offer individual face-to-face Cognitive and Behavioural Therapy sessions in my private practice in West London (Fulham), on the telephone and on Skype.
