Have you been intensely sad about someone you have lost for more than a year? Do you notice that the loss still bothers you very much and that it gets in the way of your daily life? Know that you are not alone. Many people continue to struggle with feelings such as gloom, poor sleep, worrying or difficulty concentrating even after a year. It can also be difficult to take good care of yourself or to be there for others.

Maybe you’re avoiding people who remind you of your loved one, or you feel guilty, or it feels like your life has lost its luster. The longing for the one who is no longer there can be overwhelming.

Do you recognize yourself in this? Then consider seeking help if the grieving does not diminish. Talk about it with your doctor or contact me directly. Together we can see what you need and can help you. I work with various therapies that can offer support, such as Emotion-Focused Therapy. Sometimes I also work with EMDR when specific bad memories keep coming back.

How can Emotion-Focused Therapy help you?

Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) focuses on acknowledging, living through and processing emotions that come with grief. In this therapy you get space to reflect on your feelings, ranging from sadness, anger, guilt and even relief. Together we discover what these emotions mean to you and where they come from. By consciously reflecting on what you feel, you learn to better understand what you need to deal with your loss.

With EFT you not only learn to accept your painful feelings, but also to look at yourself compassionately. You discover how to express your emotions without them flooding or blocking you. The goal is that you get a better grip on your feelings step by step, so that you have space to pick up life again. EFT helps you not to hide your grief, but to feel it and eventually to soften it.