Posted July 18, 2025

Grief is one of the most profound emotional experiences we can face as human beings. It comes in many forms—loss of a loved one, the end of a relationship, losing a job, or even the loss of safety, identity, or home. At Breathe Counseling & Consulting, LLC, we believe grief deserves space, attention, and support. Whether you are in the early stages of mourning or have carried the weight of loss for years, you are not alone, and your experience is valid.

What Is Grief?

Grief is a natural response to loss. It’s emotional, physical, mental, and sometimes even spiritual. It can involve sadness, anger, confusion, guilt, relief, or even numbness. There’s no single way to grieve, and no “correct” timeline. It is as individual as the person experiencing it.

You may have heard of the “Five Stages of Grief”: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. While these can be helpful to understand, grief is not a linear process. People often move back and forth between stages, skip some, or experience emotions that don’t seem to “fit” any stage at all.

Common Symptoms of Grief

Grief can affect every part of your life. Common symptoms include:

• Emotional: Sadness, anxiety, anger, guilt, loneliness, despair
• Cognitive: Difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness, confusion
• Physical: Fatigue, sleep disturbances, appetite changes, body aches
• Behavioral: Isolation, crying spells, restlessness, loss of motivation
• Spiritual: Questioning beliefs, searching for meaning, feeling disconnected

All of these are normal, but if they persist or worsen, it may be time to seek professional support.

When Grief Becomes Complicated

For some, grief becomes prolonged or debilitating. This is known as complicated grief or prolonged grief disorder. It can interfere with everyday functioning and prevent healing. Signs include:

• Intense yearning for the person or situation lost
• Inability to accept the loss
• Avoidance of reminders
• Feelings of emptiness or hopelessness that do not improve over time

If this sounds familiar, therapy can help you process your loss and begin to reconnect with life.

How Therapy Helps with Grief

Grief counseling provides a safe and supportive space to:

• Process the pain of loss at your own pace
• Make sense of conflicting emotions
• Rebuild your identity and sense of meaning
• Strengthen coping skills
• Learn how to hold grief and joy at the same time

At Breathe Counseling & Consulting, our clinicians meet you where you are. We honor your story and walk beside you in your healing; whether your loss is fresh or decades old.

You Don’t Have to Grieve Alone

Grief may be a universal experience, but your grief is uniquely yours. And you don’t have to carry it alone. If you are struggling with loss, we’re here to support you with compassion, understanding, and clinically-informed care.

Contact Us
📞 Call: 305-519-7146
🌐 Visit: www.breathecounseling.us
📧 Email: [email protected]

Healing takes time, but you don’t have to go through it without help. Reach out today and let’s begin this journey; together.