Grief encompasses the emotional journey of processing any form of loss, whether it’s physical, emotional, or relational. This experience varies in intensity and duration, often including feelings of sadness, loneliness, emptiness, and the sense of losing cherished memories or the warmth of love. If you’re in Melbourne and seeking support through grief or loss, you’re in the right place.
Grief and loss and when to seek support
Our experienced Melbourne psychologists can support you through various types of grief and loss including:
- Death of a loved one
- Relationship breakup or divorce
- Job loss
- Loss of a home
- Loss of a pet
- Illness or disability
- Major life changes
- Loss of dreams or aspirations
- Trauma or tragedy
- End of life transitions
How can grief and loss present in daily life:
- Feeling sad, tearful, angry, and overwhelmed
- Withdrawing from activities that used to be important
- Experiencing restlessness, irritability, and fear
- Struggling with concentration, decision-making
- Struggle forming new relationships after a significant loss
- Feeling trapped in a repeating cycle of negative thoughts and emotions
Therapy is the bridge that carries you from the depths of grief to the shores of healing, helping you find strength in vulnerability and resilience in the face of loss.
How to understand the process of grief and loss?
Denial: The denial stage in grief and loss is when the person who is grieving or lost continues to deny that they are hurting or that their loved one is gone. They may continue to act as if everything is still normal or try to repair or rebuild relationships that were once strong. We are in a state of shock and denial. As you accept the reality of the loss, you are beginning the healing process. You are becoming stronger, and the denial is beginning to fade away.
Anger: The anger stage in grief and loss is when a person becomes frustrated, angry, and disorganised. Anger is one of the first stages of grief and loss after denial. People may become irritable and act out in anger, often towards people they care about. They may be more aggressive, critical, and resentful. You may notice that you lash out with verbal attacks because someone riding attend the funeral, someone didn’t send you a message after a relationship breakdown, or perhaps maintains a friendship with both people. Anger is a normal response, and the more you allow yourself to feel anger; it will dissipate. These feelings may last for a short while, but eventually, the person will begin to feel sadness and despair.
Bargaining: We become lost in a maze of “If only…” or “What if…” statements. We remain in the past, trying to negotiate our way out of the hurt.
Depression: In the depression stage of grief and loss, you may feel numb, empty, and unable to function. You may have thoughts of death and loneliness. You may find it hard to make decisions or take action. You may feel restless and have difficulty sleeping.
Acceptance: we start to listen to our needs; we move, we change, we grow, and we evolve. We may start to reach out to others and become involved in their lives. We invest in our friendships and our relationship with ourselves. We begin to live again, but we cannot do so until we have given grief its time. Acceptance is often confused with being “all right” or “OK” with what has happened. This is not the case.
How to best try and manage with the emotional impact of grief and loss?
There is no single answer to this question, as the best way to deal with grief and loss is unique to each individual. Some general tips that may be helpful include being proactive in your grieving process. Start by acknowledging what you’re feeling and writing out your thoughts and feelings. Then try to live as fully as possible in the present, focusing on the things that are enjoyable and meaningful in your life. Seeking support from friends, family, and maintaining your usual routine is important.
Allow yourself time to reflect and then get back to your day-to-day responsibilities, which can be helpful at times. Maintain a positive outlook. It can be beneficial to remind yourself that there is always hope and that, eventually, life will return to a new normal. Talk openly about your feelings. It can help to share your thoughts and emotions with someone else, whether it’s a friend, family member, or therapist.
How can Positive Wellbeing Psychology help?
At Positive Wellbeing Psychology, our experienced Melbourne psychologists have a special interest in helping individuals manage grief and loss and guiding individuals offering guidance through the stages of grief using evidence-based approaches.
Through the compassionate support of a psychologist, you can transform the pain of grief and loss into a journey of healing and resilience, finding the strength to move forward with hope and purpose.
Make an Appointment
At Positive Wellbeing Psychology, we offer flexible appointments with our psychologists during the day, evening, or weekends, both in-person at our Melbourne psychology practice or online via telehealth.
Our team of psychologists hold full registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and adhere to ethical guidelines as mandated by the Psychologists Registration Board and Australian Psychological Society. Our clinical practice is grounded in evidence-based treatment approaches to support individuals in managing grief and loss.