Navigating Grief After the Loss of a Loved One
- Compass Counseling Administrator
- Oct 30
- 4 min read
Understanding the Journey Through Grief and the Benefits of Grief Counseling
Grief is a natural human response to loss—especially the loss of a loved one. There is no single “right way” to grieve, and the experience looks different for everyone. This article explores the emotional and physical impacts of grief, ways to cope, and the value of grief counseling. It also provides resources for local support groups in Montgomery County.
Compass Counseling and Associates provides a safe and compassionate space to express your grief and explore your thoughts and emotions. If you or a loved one is struggling, reach out at contact@compasscaa.com or call 484-447-7255.
Emotional and Physical Responses to Loss
It is common to experience a wide range of emotions following the death of a loved one. Feelings often include shock, sadness, anger, denial, guilt, regret, disbelief, exhaustion, loneliness, and anxiety. Adults who lost a parent frequently express feelings of regret for not spending enough time or doing enough for their parent (Porter & Claridge, 2021).
According to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (2025), grief can also affect the body—causing sleep disturbances, weakness, restlessness, immune system changes, and shortness of breath. Many people report having difficulty concentrating and making decisions during the grieving process.
Grief is not something to “recover” from; it’s an experience to navigate through as you learn to live with loss. Parents who lost an infant described grief as “always being there” but learned to function in daily life (Currie et al., 2018). Teens and young adults who lost a parent often reported a shift in their sense of identity (Porter & Claridge, 2021). Parents who lost adult children shared feelings of disbelief and injustice, often struggling with how relationships would be impacted by the loss (Wright & Farrell, 2023).
Ultimately, grieving involves readjusting to a new reality—and grief counseling can help individuals move through these emotions with guidance and support.
The Role of Grief Counseling
Grief counseling provides individuals with a structured, empathetic space to process loss and explore emotions. Working with a trained therapist can help you:
Identify and understand your grief reactions
Develop healthy coping mechanisms
Express emotions in a supportive environment
Reconnect with meaning and purpose after loss
Therapists often guide clients through exercises that encourage reflection, memory, and healing—helping to transform grief into resilience.
Coping with Loss
Continuing to share a bond or connection with a deceased loved one is a healthy and meaningful way to process grief. Many people find comfort through activities such as:
Visiting the gravesite or writing letters to the person who passed
Looking at photos or sharing memories with family and friends
Creating a memorial space or honoring traditions that celebrate their life
Structured grief counseling sessions can also be beneficial. Talking through the grief process helps release difficult emotions, identify where you are in your journey, and find hope in healing.
Leaning on Social Support
Having supportive people around you—friends, family, or community members—can make a significant difference. Benkel et al. (2024) found that both emotional and practical support are vital. Good social support includes people who check in, listen without judgment, validate feelings, and remember or honor the deceased.
Acts of care such as written notes, gifts, or tangible help can also play a role in emotional recovery (Cacciatore et al., 2021).
Incorporating social support alongside grief counseling provides both personal connection and professional guidance during the healing process.
Local Grief Support Groups in Montgomery County
If you’re seeking community support, these local organizations offer grief counseling and support groups:
Abramson Bereavement Support Groups
📞 215-371-3400
GriefShare
The Center for Loss and Bereavement
📞 610-222-4110
When to Seek Grief Counseling
While grief is a natural process, professional support may be helpful if you are:
Struggling to function in daily life
Experiencing prolonged sadness or guilt
Feeling isolated or misunderstood
Unable to sleep or focus due to overwhelming emotions
You do not have to face grief alone. Grief counseling offers a safe, confidential space to work through your pain and begin to heal. Reach out today to see how we can help!
References
Benkel, I., Skoglund, J., Enstedt, D., Hård Af Segerstad, Y., Öhlén, J., & Nyblom, S. (2024). Understanding the needs for support and coping strategies in grief following the loss of a significant other: insights from a cross-sectional survey in Sweden. Palliative Care and Social Practice, 18, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1177/26323524241275699
Cacciatore, J., Thieleman, K., Fretts, R., & Jackson, L. B. (2021). What is good grief support? Exploring the actors and actions in social support after traumatic grief. PLOS ONE, 16(5), e0252324. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0252324
Currie, E. R., Christian, B. J., Hinds, P. S., Perna, S. J., Robinson, C., Day, S., Bakitas, M., & Meneses, K. (2019). Life after loss: Parent bereavement and coping experiences after infant death in the neonatal intensive care unit. Death Studies, 43(5), 333–342. https://doi.org/10.1080/07481187.2018.1474285
Porter, N. & Claridge, A. M. (2021). Unique grief experiences: The needs of emerging adults facing the death of a parent. Death Studies, 45(3), 191–201. DOI: 10.1080/07481187.2019.1626939
U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs. (2025). Grief: Different Reactions and Timelines in the Aftermath of Loss. https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand/related/related_grief_reactions.asp
Wright, P. M., & Farrell, M. (2024). Parental Bereavement in Older Age: A Qualitative Descriptive Study. Illness, Crisis & Loss, 32(4), 574–585. https://doi.org/10.1177/10541373231158755
