When is the right time to seek counseling?
When you're feeling the physical pain of grief, you may think that you need to just "get over it" and move on. But the truth is that there is no timeline for grieving, and there's no rulebook for how it will affect your life. If you're struggling with an overwhelming sense of sadness and loss, it's time to reach out for help from a qualified Catholic counselor who can give you space to process your emotions and work through them with someone who understands what you're going through.
You might think that you're the only one who has ever felt like this or that you're not a good enough person to be worthy of help. You might feel like your problems aren't serious enough to warrant it. But I promise you: no matter what kind of pain you are going through, there is someone out there who can help. Someone who will listen to you and let you know that it's okay not to be okay sometimes.
When our child dies, it can be hard to let go of your feelings about it—and that's okay! There is no right or wrong way to mourn someone close to you who has passed away. It's natural for grief to feel overwhelming at times—that's why we're here!
The answer is simple: it's never too soon to reach out for help. No matter what challenges you're facing after losing your child, whether you're struggling with grief or anxiety or just feeling overwhelmed, counseling can make a huge difference in your life.
That said, there are some times when it's especially important to seek out professional help—for example, if you find yourself experiencing physical pain as a result of your grief. This can include feelings of chest tightness, shortness of breath, headaches, and nausea—all symptoms that may indicate that your body is trying to tell you something about how you're dealing with your emotions. You may not even realize how much stress or sadness is affecting your health until someone points it out!
Here are some signs that it might be time:
You feel like your grief is getting in the way of your daily life. If every day feels like torture, and you're not sure how to go on, you may need help from a counselor.
You're having trouble sleeping or eating because of your grief. Grief can really take a toll on your body and mind—sometimes so much so that it interferes with basic bodily functions like sleeping and eating. If this happens to you, it could be that counseling would be helpful.
You feel like nothing will ever be okay again. Nothing will ever be the same, but it doesn't mean that things won't get better eventually! If you're having trouble seeing how they could possibly improve—or if they'll ever be better at all—talk therapy might help give you perspective and tools for coping until they do improve.
Seeking counseling is a decision that you and your family should make together. Family counseling can help parents and children learn to cope with the loss of their loved one, as well as find ways to communicate better. It also helps families learn how to trust each other again, which can be critical in times of crisis or mourning. It’s also important to see a therapist that has the same faith as you because not every religion believes the same about death and Heaven.
Reaching out for counseling is an important part of the healing process—not only will it help you get through your pain and find your way back to health, but it will also provide you with tools and resources to handle future challenges as they arise. And practice makes perfect!
So don't hesitate—contact a Catholic therapist in your area today, or we can help you by providing you with a referral!
Below you will find some tips from Divine Mercy University
