Trauma and Grief

Trauma can happen at any time in life, and can impact us all in unique and diverse ways. Traumatic grief experiences and/or trauma memories can alter neural pathways (brain cell patterns ) creating internal processes that spark fear for the individual and which destabilize cognition (thinking), affect (emotions), and somatic (physical) aspects of self.

Common trauma symptoms include; Intrusive thoughts, irrational thinking, memory relapse, inability to trust or make decisions, sleep disturbance, dietary disturbance, sexual disturbance, addiction, isolation, self-harm, anger, depression, anxiety, and difficulty sustaining relationships.

In order to understand and process trauma we must explore our physical, emotional, and cognitive experience of the trauma.

Trauma therapy then, involves recognizing signs and symptoms of trauma, understanding how trauma responses impact us, our families, and significant others, and engaging with strategies that aim to reduce or eliminate trauma symptoms and restore daily functioning.

Grief can also happen at any time in life to any person young or old, and is one of the most painful life experiences to endure. Losing a loved one, pet, family, community, country, job, are all examples of loss; and grief is the process of readjustment that follows.

While trauma and grief can both be long and lonely paths to walk, the journey towards healing can be refreshing, picturesque, and engaging.

Cognitive Restructuring

Negative thoughts often start to "stack" in our minds after trauma, creating irrational or unhelpful thinking patterns. This can impact our day-to-day functioning.

Counselling can help reframe negative thinking to create a new and improved worldview.

Tasks of Mourning

After loss we often feel intensely sad and alone, preoccupied with thoughts of our loved one. The grief process involves tasks of mourning, and usually comes in waves. Some days we long for our loved one to return, and others we grapple with sorrow, disbelief, and anger.

Counselling can play a significant role in helping the bereaved adjust to their loss. A good counsellor can act like a lighthouse in your life, helping to navigate and guide you to calmer shores.