We hope you are keeping well! 

In light of Grief Awareness Week we wanted to share some information with you and let you know that you are not alone!

Everyone will at some point in their lives be confronted with loss; this could be the death of a loved one; people and animals, or the loss of an object, a relationship, potential, job, health etc. 

When we are confronted with loss, we all go through a similar process - not the same, not neat and tidy, a similar process all the same.

According to Elisabeth Kübler-Ross (a Swiss-American Psychiatrist) there are 5 stages of grief. You might recognise these..

Denial

Denial is often the first reaction to loss, acting as a defense mechanism to protect us from the immediate shock and pain. In this stage, we may struggle to accept the reality of the situation, convincing ourselves that the loss isn’t real or that it will somehow reverse. Denial helps cushion the initial blow, allowing us to slowly process the overwhelming emotions at our own pace.

Anger

As denial fades, anger may emerge, directed at people, situations, or even the person we’ve lost. This anger can feel irrational, but it’s a natural expression of the pain and frustration we’re experiencing. We might question the fairness of the loss or feel abandoned and resentful. While difficult, this stage is a crucial part of beginning to confront the reality of our emotions.

Bargaining

In the bargaining stage, we seek to regain control by imagining “what if” scenarios or making promises to ourselves, others, or a higher power in an attempt to undo or alleviate the loss. We might reflect on what we could have done differently or plead for a different outcome. Bargaining can feel like an exhausting mental loop, but it’s often a way of grappling with the helplessness of loss.

Depression

Depression sets in when the weight of the loss feels inescapable, leading to deep sadness and a sense of emptiness. This stage is characterised by withdrawing from others, a lack of energy, and feelings of despair. It can feel isolating, but it’s an essential part of processing grief. Allowing space for these emotions helps pave the way for eventual healing.

Acceptance

Acceptance doesn’t mean forgetting or no longer feeling the loss but rather coming to terms with it and finding a way to move forward. In this stage, we begin to integrate the reality of the loss into our lives, finding new ways to engage with the world while honouring what we’ve lost. Acceptance is a sign of growth and resilience, as we learn to carry the pain with grace.

Your Grief Journey

Your grief is unique..

Mourning or grieving is a natural process and not everyone ‘needs’ therapy for this, although it might be comforting to talk to a professional, especially if it feels complicated or there have been multiple (unprocessed) losses. Here at KvLS all our counsellors and psychotherapists have been trained to work with Loss & Grief.