How to Find Grief Counseling After Miscarriage or Stillbirth
When the unthinkable happens in your life and you're faced with the grief of a miscarriage or stillbirth, it's difficult to think that there will ever be a time passed this event. The grief is all-consuming. And the world seems dull. This is the right time to learn how to find grief counseling.
Not everyone is ready to experience counseling immediately following this loss. That is perfectly normal. When you are ready, it's important that you know firstly, what is grief counseling and secondly, how to find resources in your area for it. Not all grief counselors are equipped with the same skills. Some prefer to help others who experienced spouse loss while others (like me) want to help those who experienced a loss of a pregnancy.
Trying to deal with or push through the pain of this loss on your own can actually hinder your ability to heal. If you are ready to take the next step in healing, grief counseling is your answer. Learn more about it in this article so that you are aware of the next steps in your journey.
What is Grief Counseling?
Grief counseling is a type of counseling that focuses solely on grieving individuals. When you experience any kind of loss in your life, this changes your entire life no matter who you are. As a therapist who has walked with many women throughout all stages of pregnancy that do not follow the expected journey that ends in bringing a baby home, I can authentically meet you where you are at this moment in time.
There is no timeline for when grief ends or when things will feel "normal" again. Truthfully, life will never be the same. However, that doesn't mean that you can't heal. Healing doesn't mean forgetting. It means giving yourself grace and finding a way to continue living after this experience.
How to Find Grief Counseling
Finding grief counseling isn't difficult to do. Below is a list of ideas for how to find counseling for you when you are ready.
Consult Your Doctor
Your doctor will almost always have a list of recommended counselors on-hand for you. Explain to your doctor how you are feeling and that you want to find the right therapist for this season of life. You may need a referral from your doctor in order to proceed. Therefore, it's best to consult them before you make any appointments with therapists.
Ask Friends or Family
Unfortunately, there are many people who experience pregnancy loss and/or miscarriage. It is likely that at least one person you know has experienced it. This means you can ask friends and family about their recommendations for any grief counselors if they went to one to help them.
Getting a referral from someone you know usually helps you feel better about partnering with them. Your friend or family member trusted this person enough to confide in. Therefore, you will already have some insights into how this counselor can help you. Don't be afraid to share your experience and ask others for help with a referral.
Join a Support Group
Support groups, whether in person or online, are great resources to help you find grief counseling. If you join a pregnancy loss group specifically, they will likely have recommendations for counselors in your area. Ask group members for recommendations. Make sure to inquire about how the counselor helped them during their grief. This will give you some sense of relief knowing that there is peace of mind on the horizon.
Search Online
You can search for nearly anything these days if you have access to the internet. If you don't feel comfortable reaching out to friends, family, or your doctor to help you find grief counseling, then there is always the option to conduct your own search online. You can choose to look for in-person grief counseling near you or utilize a virtual counselor. Choose the option that best fits your comfort level.
In addition, make sure you read reviews, if available. Search the provider's website to ensure they in fact offer grief counseling for miscarriage, stillbirth, and pregnancy loss. Finally, you will want to make sure they are licensed and are a legitimate counselor who can help you.
Partner with Me
Partner with me directly to meet your grief counseling needs. My counseling services come with a unique, creative, and fluid approach. No grief experience is identical to the next. Using my techniques, many moms begin to feel relief even with only one session with me. My practice accepts many insurances. Please contact me to see if your insurance applies. In addition, you can choose to pay for each session.
My purpose is to help mothers in many forms of motherhood, including expecting moms who are experiencing the worst end of motherhood. You are not alone and you don't have to continue walking alone on this journey if you haven’t yet sought help. Start with a free consultation with me today and see how I can help you as your grief counselor.
Grief Counseling is Part of the Healing
Healing doesn't mean putting a metaphorical band-aid over your grief and watching that wound heal itself. Unfortunately, it's not that easy. Healing is a journey that can last years into your future. It doesn't mean that you are doomed or that you will never experience happiness again. It means you need to learn a new way to do that.
Choosing grief counseling is choosing healing. Working with a therapist like me can help you heal from one of the most traumatic events of your life. You will never be the same after this experience. However, there is still a chance of living a full life despite this unimaginable event. Start healing today. You can also start by finding ways to cope with miscarriage.