Counseling Services

Grief and Loss

The only way to truly face loss is to allow oneself the time and space to mourn and grieve, because anything less demeans the importance of what once was.

Life is filled with change; so our lives are also regularly filled with loss. Sometimes it is the heart-wrenching death of a loved one, and sometimes it is the more expectable changes in life’s circumstances, like moving away from home, changing jobs, or breaking up. However, it’s not often that we give full expression to the depths of our feelings when we have suffered loss. It is a normal impulse to move away from what hurts us, and yet when these feelings go unattended, they don’t disappear – they reappear in unwanted ways.

The only way to truly face loss is to allow oneself the time and space to mourn and grieve, because anything less demeans the importance of what once was. Often, in situations like the unexpected loss of a loved one, the grief is overwhelming and depression is a normal response to such personal devastation. Other times depression is the result of feelings of anger or sadness that have been suppressed and avoided in an effort to protect ourselves from the emotional hurt. In either case, having someone to guide you forward on the path to acceptance is essential. Our tendency to deceive ourselves and others too easily leaves us stuck in the ruts of unresolved, but reappearing disappointment and pain. Grace Clinic will be eager to offer you the support and direction that will help you face your loss and grief honestly, so that the significance of your loss can be given its full due.

"If you think your task as a comforter is to tell me that really, all things considered, it’s not so bad, you do not sit with me in my grief, but place yourself off in a distance from me. Over there you are of no help. I need to hear you are with me in my desperation. To comfort me you have to come close. Come sit beside me on my mourning bench."

- Nicholas Wolterstorff

Counseling Services

Grief and Loss

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