Any grief counseling professional will tell you that bereavement is a complex process, and to a certain extent, everyone grieves differently. Dealing with delayed grief can be particularly challenging and even a little scary, as it often seems to emerge out of the blue and take the sufferer by surprise. To better understand this issue, below is an introduction to delayed grief and how a grief counseling professional can help you better navigate its challenges.

A Closer Look

Delayed grief is just what its name implies: a deferred emergence of feelings of pain and loss over the death of someone close. There's no exact timeline for this type of bereavement. Delayed grief could happen months or even years after losing a loved one.

The big question, then, is why? In most cases, delayed grief is experienced by people who did not have the opportunity to adequately process their feelings of loss in the immediate aftermath of the death in question. They may have felt a pressure to put on a brave front or to be strong for other loved ones. Or, they simply may have been too emotionally devastated and overloaded to look closely at their own feelings. Grief, however, is stubborn, and it demands to be dealt with--sooner or later.

Signs of Delayed Grief

Delayed grief most often occurs in people who have other intense emotional experiences happening concurrently with the initial loss. A few examples: A young spouse with small children who loses a partner; a son or daughter who loses two parents within a brief period of time; and someone who loses a loved while also managing other major life changes, like a divorce, job loss, or serious health concerns.

Symptoms of delayed grief include overwhelming thoughts of the deceased person, unexpected crying spells, a profound sense of loss, and a feeling of not being able to move forward or be happy without the deceased individual.

How a Grief Counseling Professional Can Help

A therapist who handles grief issues understands that delayed grieving is not your average depression or anxiety. There are multiple stages to work through, and your therapist will help guide you through each of these steps. Processing one's emotions and adjusting to a new reality require the support that only a skilled helping professional can provide. In working together, you are making a commitment to work through difficult emotional territory and emerge--fuller and stronger--on the other side.

Sondra Sexton-Jones offers grief counseling services to the Juneau, Alaska, area. She has been providing individual, family, and couples therapy for over 25 years. Schedule an appointment today by calling (907) 586-3313, visiting her website, or sending her a message on Facebook.