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It is easy to assume that grief will be short-lived and transient but that is often not the case. Our grief management service takes you through the different stages of grief and is adapted to your unique situation.

What is grief management?

As the term suggests, grief management is a method of dealing with grief, caused by the loss of a partner, family member or friend. This does not necessarily mean the death of a loved one, as it occurs in other situations, such as divorce, infertility, relationship problems, or other traumatic life events.

All grief is individual and manifests itself differently for each person. As such, grief management needs to be individually tailored, even though there are certain methods and tools used.

What set our therapist apart was her genuine empathy and personal insight. Not only did she possess a deep understanding of neurodiversity, but she also shared personal experiences that resonated with us, creating an instant connection and fostering a sense of trust!

Benedetta Osarenk


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12 common questions about grief management

What is grief management and why is it important?

Grief processing is the process through which an individual goes through when trying to deal with the loss of someone or something precious. It is important because it provides an opportunity to digest and understand the loss and to find ways to move on.

What are common emotions that can be experienced during grief?

Common emotions in grief include sadness, loss, despair, anger, guilt, confusion and even relief. It is normal to experience a mixture of different emotions.

How long does grief processing take?

The length of grief processing varies from person to person and depends on many factors, including the type of loss and the individual’s personality. There is no fixed timeline. However, there is a lot of evidence to suggest that grief processing is improved by communicating about it. Putting unspoken feelings and thoughts into words. In this way, you can let go of them and move on.

What strategies can help with grief management?

Strategies for coping with grief include talking about your feelings, creating memory rituals, staying active and, if necessary, seeking professional help through therapy or support groups.

What is the difference between grief and depression?

Grief is a natural reaction to loss of any kind, while depression is a clinical diagnosis that can affect a person’s ability to function in daily life. It is important to be aware of the difference and seek professional help if depression is suspected.

Can people grieve in different ways depending on the type of loss?

Yes, different types of losses can affect the grieving process in different ways. For example, grief after a natural death may be different from grief after an accident or suicide. Each individual and loss is unique.

What if I feel stuck in my grief and can’t move on?

If you feel unable to move on from your grief or if it is affecting your daily functioning, it is important to seek professional help. A u003ca href=u0022https://lavendla.se/om-lavendla/har-finns-lavendla-terapi/u0022u003eterapeutu003c/au003e or counselor can help you explore and process your feelings.

Is it normal to have “good” days and “bad” days during grief processing?

Yes, it is perfectly normal to have days when you feel better and other days when grief can be overwhelming. The fluctuations in emotions are part of the natural grieving process.

Can children and teenagers also go through grief? How can you support them?

Yes, children and teenagers can experience grief in different ways. Creating an open and supportive environment where they can talk about their feelings is important. Seeking help from a therapist who specializes in children and adolescents can also be helpful.

Can you experience complicated grief and when should you seek professional help for it?

Complicated grief is characterized by intense and prolonged grief reactions that affect daily functioning. If grief becomes overwhelming or prolonged, it is important to seek professional help to avoid possible complications.

What to expect from a grief management process with a therapist?

During a grief management process with a therapist, you can expect to have a safe and supportive environment where you can talk about your feelings and thoughts about the loss. The therapist will actively listen, offer support and help you explore and understand your grief.

Is grief counseling covered by my insurance?

Grief counseling is often covered by home insurance and life insurance policies. Check with your insurance company what is included in your policy.

Grief management and the stages of grief

Everyone reacts differently to grief. However, there are certain features that are common to our grief work and can be summarised in different phases. These do not always occur in a particular order, and it is common for grief to go back and forth between the phases.

  1. Shock phase
    It is common to initially experience a sense of shock and unreality. It is difficult to take in the loss or event. You may feel like you are in a kind of bubble, struggling to fully understand what has happened and what is going on around you. This initial period is usually brief, but feelings of unreality may be present for a longer time.
  2. Reaction phase
    As the shock slowly releases its grip, it is common for feelings of despair, worry, anger, loss, and abandonment to overwhelm. Those left behind may become completely preoccupied with their grief and lack the energy to do anything else.
  3. Processing phase
    In the processing phase, people still reflect a lot on what happened, but in a slightly different way. You start to get a new perspective on the loss and try to understand how it will affect the rest of your life.
  4. Reorientation phase
    In time, most people will feel able and willing to move on with their lives. They do not forget what happened, and feelings of loneliness and loss may still be present. However, these feelings no longer dominate your daily life.

Written by Dominic Wardall

Dominic is a Cape Town-based copywriter and editor with extensive background and studies in psychology. Dominic is a central part of the articles written on Lavendla.