San Francisco Therapy for Grief, Loss and Depression

Are you mourning the death of someone close to you? Are you having difficulty adjusting to life without a loved one? Are you having problems recovering from the loss of a loved one? Do you feel like you should be over the loss of a loved one? Are you worried that you are depressed?

Grief over the loss of a loved one is a normal process. Working through the loss, or mourning, is a necessary part of grief and includes accepting the reality of the loss, processing the pain, adjusting to life without the loved one, and reinvesting emotional energy to your life.

Grieving is an individual process that can be very intense or mild, immediate or delayed, and can last a short- or long-time. Children’s grief is based on several factors including the age and developmental stage of the child, and how much adult support is available.

Common feelings, thoughts and behaviors associated with grief are:

• sadness
• anger
• guilt
• anxiety
• loneliness
• fatigue
• helplessness
• shock
• yearning
• relief
• numbness
• disbelief
• confusion
• pre-occupation
• sleep problems
• appetite problems
• absent-mindedness
• social withdrawal
• avoidance of reminders of deceased
• sighing
• crying
• restlessness

What is the difference between grief and depression? The main difference between grief and depression concerns the presence or absence of self-esteem and guilt. When a person is experiencing depression, there is typically a loss of self-esteem and overall feeling of guilt. This can be somewhat complicated, as some people will experience guilt as a result of the loss of a loved one, but this type of guilt is specific to the event of loss. It is helpful to consider seeking help through therapy if you are unsure about your reactions to the loss or would like support through the mourning process.

Kirsten works with individuals, relationships, and families to facilitate the normal mourning process, and to evaluate whether your feelings are related to depression.