Bereavement Counselor

What is bereavement?

Dictionary defines bereavement as a period of mourning or an acute state of intense psychological sadness and suffering experienced after the loss of a loved one due to death. It is a manifestation of negative emotion. The people suffer from mixed emotions during this phase which includes the denial and disbelief over the loss or the death. Restlessness, depression, anxiety are the common feelings person goes through. This suffering depends on how much the person was emotionally attached to the person who has died. Death can create a rude shock for the family and the individual. Hence, one must approach a counselor for the right advice.

What are bereavement counselors?

Bereavement counselors are the people who are trained to deal with the emotional imbalances of the people who have been bereaved of their loved ones. They need to have a genuine feeling for helping others and should have a lot of patience. They even have very good communication skills as they deal with people. They help them deal with the feeling of dismay and depression. These counselors study the past of the clients, assess their present mental and physical state, plan a strategy for them to overcome the agony and trauma they are going through. They make friends with the person and help him develop a positive outlook for the things and life ahead.

Counseling process

The counseling process basically aims at helping the person accept the loss in a healthy way. They help them give a vent to their expression which can be writing, traveling, some art forms, sculpturing etc. They basically try directing the huge emotional pile ups to something which is constructive. They even use the photographs and memories to develop a positive feeling. They help the person to express feelings of anger, guilt, anxiety, dismay, fear and aid them to overcome the loss. As they are very good listeners they help them talk their grief out. They provide them emotional support so that the person doesn’t revert back to the same emotional phase. They even help them exploring the defense mechanisms.

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