Grief and Loss

If you have let go of something that you love, depend on, or are accustomed to, these are the experiences of grief/loss response.

Are you struggling with a sense of Grief or Loss?

Some examples of grief and loss:

  • Wendy has moved far away from her loved ones, taking the children with her and she is feeling isolated, lost and has no motivation to do anything, everything seems to be overwhelming her. Her husband, Richard has hung up the phone frustrated and angry at his wife. They can’t seem to resolve their differences, he misses his children and feels really stuck, everything is just going around and around with no resolution.
  • Ken’s place of work has restructured and terminated the entire department, leaving him without a job after many years of good service, he is feeling rejected and betrayed. There is no longer any structure to his life and his financial security has been threatened.

Even though Wendy, Richard and Ken have experienced different types of loss and grief, they share similar emotions. 

These responses often produce feelings of anxiety and negativity at the same time.

  • I am anxious and worried when he doesn’t call, I can’t concentrate on anything.
  • I feel angry, why did she leave me? I don’t know if I can manage on my own.
  • I feel stuck, I just keep thinking about the problem over and over and over.
  • I am feeling anxious, depressed and have no motivation to do anything – my dreams and goals are useless and I can’t seem to get past it. I have no sense of enjoyment or progression in my life.

It is important to remember that these emotions are part of the grief/loss process and in fact will help in the healing process. Denying or suppressing these feelings actually will delay a persons’ recovery process.

Types of Loss:

Types of grief and separation occur whenever a persons’ lifestyle changes significantly.

  • Divorce or separation from family;
  • Loss of employment;
  • Loss of a dream;
  • Negative business outcomes;
  • Moving to a new location;
  • Loss of lifestyle;
  • Loss of health and wellbeing;
  • Loss of a sentimental object; or

There are also physical responses:

  • Insomnia;
  • Fatigue;
  • Weight concerns;
  • Changes in eating patterns;
  • Lack of motivation to be involved with others or activities;
  • Throat, chest and stomach constrictions; or
  • Anxiety/panic attacks.

These responses can often feel very uncomfortable, slow us down or even feel threatening in some way.

Life seems to continuously throw curved balls and there is a need to readjust, there are 5 distinctive phases in the readjustment process and as each stage of the process is moved through it brings about a stronger sense of well-being and progression. The denial or resistance of the emotions only prolongs the recovery journey to emotional well-being.

How can hypnotherapy assist in moving forward again and regaining the sense of well-being?

Hypnotherapy can assist in:

  • overcoming resistance to releasing the block of emotions, shorting the journey to recovery;
  • greatly reducing the cyclical pattern of the 5 phases of recovery;
  • allow a person to express their emotions, release them and heal;
  • allow a person to acknowledge what has taken place, realising the truth of the situation and move forward again;
  • instinctively learn to calm yourself down and think rationally and more positively; and
  • Build-up confidence and wellbeing.

For further information contact us on (03) 5223 2370 or via email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.   

 

Karen Holt Clinical Hypnotherapy and Counselling

Clinical Hypnotherapist

AMAHS, MASCH, NFH

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Karen Holt Clinical Hypnotherapy and Counselling