Therapy for Grief and Loss
Have you experienced a loss, such as the death of a loved one or the ending of an important relationship? Are you struggling to get through school or work? Are you isolating from your or friends or family members?
My name is Jennifer Wagner, and I help teens and adults in Austin who have experienced a significant loss. Whether someone close to you has passed away or you are grieving due to a break-up or divorce, I can help.
The loss of a loved one brings about a wide range of emotions, often at a depth that most people have not previously experienced. The intensity of grief can be felt both physically and emotionally, and its ups and downs can seem overwhelming at times.
You are not alone.
Millions of Americans are affected by grief and loss each year. Too many will struggle alone with their grief, feeling lost and disconnected from others.
If you or someone you know are interested and ready to get started with counseling, contact me today. Or, read on to learn more about grief and how therapy can help!
Do I need therapy for grief?
Grief counseling can address many types of loss:
- Loss of spouse through death or divorce
- Ending of a significant relationship
- Loss of family member — as an adult or in early years
- Complicated grief — compounded by other issues
- Traumatic loss — unexpected or under traumatic circumstances
- Anticipatory grief — when self or loved one is terminally ill
- Pregnancy loss
- Pet loss
In some cases, grief can happen with the loss of one’s identity – loss of a job, loss of good health, loss of parenthood or marriage, etc. We grieve the life we could have had, the future we planned for ourselves, or the life we enjoyed.
Hurt, sadness, anger, fear and loneliness are normal responses to loss. These feelings happen naturally, often due to the connection you shared, the important role they played in your life, or your deep caring towards them.
Grief is more complicated when the relationship had been painful or difficult, or when the loss was unexpected and traumatic. The grief experience varies depending on the nature of the relationship and the circumstances surrounding the loss.
When grief and loss are not addressed in a healthy way, additional problems can occur. Here are some common warning signs to watch for after a loss:
Everyone goes through grief in their own way – there is no set timeline or expectation of how you “should” feel. Some will feel “fine” or grief-less initially after a loss, only to have grief emerge later on.
No matter what brought about your grief, and no matter how long you’ve been struggling with the loss, therapy can help. You don’t have to go through this alone. Please contact me if you would like to talk about getting therapy for your loss.
How can therapy for grief help?
Therapy for grief is useful in three main ways.
First, therapy is all about receiving emotional support and care. You can lean on your connection with a trained therapist who can understand your experience and support you in healing from your loss. Whether you are expecting or anticipating a loss, facing new grief, or continuing to grieve a loss from the past, I can help. Please contact me if you would like to get started.
Second, therapy provides a safe space to process and reflect. Therapy offers a confidential, judgment-free space to work through the pain of loss. You have the chance to share your thoughts, work through and express your feelings, and gain a better understanding of your situation with the help of an experienced professional.
And third, therapy offers a chance to learn specific strategies for healthy coping during the grief process. I will help you to express and manage painful emotions related to your loss, as well as help you make a plan for self-care as you go through the process. You will learn new strategies for dealing with the pain of loss in a healthy manner.
Additionally, as you engage in therapy for grief, you can:
- Regain your sense of purpose and wellbeing
- Find your place in a world without your loved one
- Establish ways to honor the memory of your loved one
- Address unhelpful ways of coping
What does therapy look like with Jennifer Wagner?
You don’t have to go through this alone.
As a relationally-oriented therapist, my passion is in building connection. My job is to help you feel seen and heard, to offer support and compassion, and to utilize my experience and clinical expertise in ways that produce real change.
My work is grounded in the latest research in neurobiology and attachment, which means I like to identify and help with the underlying processes that make up your experience. I also draw on a variety of helpful tools from DBT, CBT and strategies that improve the mind/body connection, such as identifying where feelings happen in your body and using breathing techniques to reduce anxiety.
All of our sessions are completely confidential and held in the comfort of my office here in Austin, Texas. I work with teens and adults from all over the area, and I would love to work with you!
Therapy isn’t about forgetting about the loss – it’s about understanding it, working through it, and moving towards a life filled with purpose and happiness again. Together, we can work to make that happen for you. Contact me today to get started.
Interested? Let’s work together.
Thank you for your interest! If you would like to learn more about me and how I practice, check out my About Me page. If you have questions or would like to sign up for your first session, let’s connect!
Phone:
(512) 333-4170
Email:
jennifer@youraustintherapist.com
Address:
500 Grace Lane
Austin, Texas 78746