Free Thursday 7PM-8PM Grief Group

Acknowledging loss means confronting the reality of the absence and validating the pain it causes. It is the foundation of grief work, grounding you in truth rather than denial. Grief is a universal yet deeply personal journey, a testament to the love and connections that shape our lives. To acknowledge grief is to courageously confront the emotional, physical, and spiritual waves that follow loss—not as a problem to solve, but as a natural response to loving deeply. This act of acknowledgment is not passive; it is an active process of honoring pain, allowing vulnerability, and embracing the messy, nonlinear path toward healing.  

Psychoeducation teaches us that grief is not a singular experience but a mosaic of emotions—sadness, anger, guilt, relief, or numbness—that ebb and flow. Acknowledging grief involves sitting with these emotions without judgment, recognizing that they are neither permanent nor indicative of weakness.

It requires patience as we adjust to a world reshaped by loss, relearning how to navigate relationships, routines, and even our sense of self. Crucially, it invites us to seek connection—whether through therapy, community, or creative expression—to avoid being swallowed by isolation. At its core, acknowledging grief is an act of self-compassion. It is saying, “This hurts, and that’s okay. I am human.”  

• Emotional Numbing

Suppressing or disconnecting from emotions entirely (e.g., “I feel nothing” or “It’s fine”).  

• Chronic Distraction

Overworking, excessive screen time, or hyper-focusing on tasks to avoid stillness and reflection.  

• Substance Use 

Relying on alcohol, drugs, or other addictive behaviors to numb painful feelings.  

• Denial of Impact

Insisting the loss “doesn’t bother them” or downplaying its significance (e.g., “I’m over it”).  

• Social Withdrawal

Avoiding friends, family, or support networks to dodge conversations about the loss.  

• Physical Symptoms

Unexplained fatigue, headaches, or somatic issues caused by unprocessed emotional stress.  

• Procrastination of Practical Tasks  

Delaying necessary actions tied to the loss (e.g., avoiding sorting a loved one’s belongings).  

• Avoidance of Triggers  

Steering clear of places, dates, or people associated with the loss to prevent reminders.  

• Emotional Outbursts 

Sudden irritability, anger, or disproportionate reactions to minor stressors as suppressed grief leaks out.  

• Idealising or Avoiding Memories  

Refusing to discuss the person/event or, conversely, obsessively romanticising the past to avoid present pain.  

Denial delays healing and can lead to complicated grief (prolonged, intense suffering). Acceptance allows the nervous system to process the loss, reducing long-term emotional and physical health risks.  

Grief wears countless masks, each shaped by the nature of the loss and the individual’s unique history. Below are common forms of grief, each valid in its complexity:  

• Anticipatory Grief:  

Occurs before a loss, often alongside a terminal diagnosis or impending life change (e.g., dementia progression). It may involve mourning the “future” lost while grappling with uncertainty.  

• Disenfranchised Grief:  

A hidden or socially unacknowledged loss (e.g., pet death, miscarriage, divorce, or non-death losses like job loss). Sufferers often feel silenced by societal expectations of “acceptable” grief.  

• Complicated Grief:  

A prolonged, intense state where healing feels impossible. Symptoms resemble depression, marked by persistent yearning, bitterness, or avoidance. Professional support is often vital.  

• Collective Grief:  

Shared by communities after events like natural disasters, pandemics, or acts of violence. It can unite people in solidarity or overwhelm those already carrying personal sorrow.  

• Ambiguous Grief:  

Arises from unresolved losses, such as a missing loved one, estrangement, or addiction. The lack of closure prolongs the search for meaning.  

 While grief manifests uniquely, certain threads bind all experiences:  

• The Universality of Pain: All grief, whether societal or solitary, stems from love and attachment. Pain is not a flaw—it is evidence of our capacity to care.  
• The Need for Witnessing: Being heard and validated (“Your grief matters”) is healing. Suppression often deepens suffering.  
• Nonlinear Progression: Grief defies stages. It may surge unexpectedly, triggered by a scent or anniversary, reminding us healing is not a race.  
• Identity Reconstruction: Loss forces us to rebuild our sense of self. A parent who loses a child, for example, must redefine their role and purpose.  
• Potential for Growth: Post-traumatic growth is possible. Many discover resilience, renewed priorities, or deeper empathy—not as a “silver lining,” but as a hard-won integration of loss.  

1. Reality Affirmation: Write and repeat daily: “My loss is real, and my pain is valid.”  
2. Loss Timeline: Map key moments (before, during, after the loss) to visualize its impact.  
3. Sensory Grounding: Hold an object linked to the loss (e.g., their jewelry) and describe its texture, scent, or weight.  
4. Group Witnessing: Share one truth about your loss. The group responds: “We see your pain.”  
5. Letter to Self: Write a letter detailing what happened, using the phrase “I know this is true…”  

In honouring grief’s many forms, we normalise the spectrum of human emotion. Whether mourning a person, a dream, or a version of ourselves, what matters is granting permission to feel—and to begin healing, one tender step at a time.