How Grief Counseling in Pocatello Can Help You Find Support After Loss

Grief is a complex experience with both short- and long-term effects. When you experience loss in your life, it can turn your world upside down and greatly impact your mental health, physical health, and even cognitive functioning. 

Our grief counseling in Pocatello at Portneuf Valley Family Center is designed to help you work through the intense feelings that stem from loss and find strategies for managing them in your day-to-day life. 

The Effects of Grief

The loss of a loved one affects every person differently. There is no “right” or “wrong” way to feel when you experience a tragedy like this. And for many people, the experience causes significant challenges that linger long after the shock has worn off.

If you find yourself struggling mentally, physically, and cognitively when you’re grieving, you're not alone. 

Your brain views loss as emotional trauma, activating a “fight-or-flight” response where your blood pressure and heart rate increase and stress hormones are released. It’s common to experience changes in memory, behavior, body function, and sleep when you’re grieving and subconsciously living in survival mode. 

Brain fog is frequently experienced as well, leading to forgetfulness, concentration issues, and impaired decision-making. This stems from reduced activity in your prefrontal cortex, which is the part of your brain that helps cognitive functions like focusing and planning. 

Grief can also trigger or exacerbate mental health conditions. You might feel depressed, anxious, angry, or even detached throughout this process and afterward.

The Stages of Grief

Though each individual’s experience is different, we often describe grief in the context of stages.  Dr. Elisabeth Kübler-Ross outlines the five common stages of grief in this way:

Denial 

Denial describes a coping mechanism in which a person struggles to accept their reality. Though you might understand what your reality is to some extent, denial is a way of protecting yourself from the shock of grief. 

You may refuse to acknowledge what has happened, avoid talking or thinking about it, or even respond to the news with feelings of disbelief that it is really true.

Bargaining

Loss can make you feel very powerless. Because of this, you might find yourself in the bargaining stage, where you ruminate on what happened or attempt to negotiate. 

This can look like “what if” thinking. For example, you might ask yourself if anything could have been done differently to prevent the tragedy from occurring. 

It can also involve blaming yourself or even negotiating with a higher power. Whatever it looks like, bargaining is a way to cope with a loss of control or hold onto hope.

Depression

Intense, persistent sadness and hopelessness often stem from losses. And when you’re depressed, it can strongly affect your day-to-day functioning. 

You might lose interest in things you used to love, struggle with low energy, and feel strong feelings of despair. If your depression continues, it might be time to consider professional support.

Anger

Feeling angry is a very human response to loss. These feelings can be very overwhelming and hard to control, and it’s common to direct that anger toward other places or people in moments of heightened emotions.

Sometimes, anger can also lead to blame. People commonly blame medical professionals, family members, a higher power, and even themself when struggling to cope with their grief.

Acceptance

Acceptance is the final stage. This is where you come to terms with the reality of the loss that you experienced. 

It’s important to understand that acceptance is not about moving on; it’s about truly understanding your reality, addressing it, and moving forward to the best of your ability. 

Counseling as a Tool for Navigating Grief

If you are having a hard time with the effects of grief, there are many resources available to you. Counseling is a great place to start, and it offers a safe space to share what you’re experiencing and work through the pain of loss.

Throughout sessions, you can discuss the stage of grief you’re currently in and receive guidance from a professional. You can explain any mental, physical, and cognitive struggles to your therapist and work toward coping skills to incorporate in your life.

Sometimes, it can also be a relief to simply vocalize your feelings to another person instead of trying to handle it all by yourself. Isolation can worsen the pain of loss, which is why it’s important to lean on others throughout this process. And when you talk to a professional, you can rest knowing that your sessions are confidential and guided by people who are trained to understand grief. 

Grief Support from Portneuf Valley Family Center

The PVFC team offers mental health support in Pocatello, with counseling, medication management, peer support, and more services available. Our counselors can work with you as you navigate grief and the complex feelings that can result. 

There is no one-size-fits-all solution for coping with loss, and we want you to take things at your own pace and pursue the solutions that work best for you. Over time, the goal is to help you feel equipped to move forward in the face of tragedy and live the best life you can. 

Pocatello Counseling Services

At PVFC, we take pride in serving our Pocatello community with mental health services designed for their success and well-being. If you’re struggling to cope with grief, we’d love to walk alongside you and offer support.

Reach out today to learn more about our Pocatello counseling services and the resources that are available to you.