grief counseling?

[rainbowmoon]

I am thinking about maybe getting grief counseling since I have 2 small children and am so newly post partum. I am dealing pretty well with DH death but feel like I need to process it more than I am. or something. maybe just need someone to talk to?

how does one go about finding one? or will a regular therapist do? will insurance cover this type of counseling?

please share your experiences with this if you feels so inclined. is it worth it? did it help you? how did you find your counselor? is there a national database (US) or something like that somewhere online I can look at?

[lisamarie]

rainbowmoon~

grief and the way one grieves is so individualized. what has worked for one, may not work for another. and there is no right or wrong way to grieve.

after my husband's death, i found a family grief and loss support group that was very helpful to me and to my ds who was 3 yo at the time of his death. being a grieving parent is such hard work. for me, i found comforting to be around others who were experiencing a loss similiar to myself and to also talk w/others about parenting a grieving child. even though i had supportive family and friends around, i myself, needed the extra support.

here is a link that might be helpful about deciding to find a support group or therapist: http://69.20.14.30/discussions/showt...ief+counseling

if there is a hospice in your area, they can help you in finding a grief and loss group in the area. also, contact the funeral home that you went through and they can also be a good resource.

my heart goes out to you and please know that we are here to listen and support you.

much love & hugs~

lisa

[rainbowmoon]

thank you for your post. it helps. i have been looking for a support group but haven't found one locally. I did find a good online group ( www.beyondindigo.com ) though so that helps a little and best of all I don't even have to leave my home to participate (something that is hard with 2 young kiddos and 1 which is BF) I'm still not sure about the grief counseling either. we'll see what happens. I feel like I am handling things pretty well but just feel extremely empty and lost and nobody I know IRL really understands the pain. some days I feel like a bad mother too which doesn't help but I can only do so much and sometimes I just want to crawl into a hole and cry the day away.

[applejuice]

Yes, grief counseling can help. I know Kaisar has it if that is your hospitalization plan. I went to grief counseling for a while, stopped, and then went back. At some point it helps to do group counseling, to know you are not alone, and at other times, one on one with a professional grief counselor helps.

Insurance may limit the number of visits, so maybe be prepared for that eventuality.

Take care of your physical health also. Those two little ones depend on you!

[lisamarie]

Parenting can be one of the hardest jobs that we ever have and being a grieving parent is even harder. It takes so much energy to do both. Know that you are doing the best you can for your kids. You are there for them, even though through tears, the stress and pain it may not seem like it. Know that you are not alone, there are others here that have also lost a spouse and we are here to listen and support you.

Please keep us posted on how you are doing.

Much Love & Hugs~

Lisa