Finding Your Way Forward: A Guide to Grief Support
- 11 hours ago
- 3 min read
By Grief Counselor Kerstin McMillian, M.A., LCMHCA, NCC
Finding Your Way Forward: A Guide to Grief Support
If you are reading this newsletter* for the first time, we know these pages can serve as a quiet, sometimes difficult reminder of your loss. Whether you are in those first disorienting months of grief or if this bulletin has become a familiar arrival in your mailbox, please know that the team at VIA Health Partners is thinking of you and your family.
[*This article first appeared in the 'Bereavement Bulletin' Newsletter; a mailing offered by VIA Health Partners.]
We believe grief isn't a problem to be solved or a "phase" to get over. It is a heavy weight we carry. And while you are certainly strong enough to carry it, you shouldn't have to carry it alone.
"Do I need counseling?"
Many of us were raised with the "pull yourself up by your bootstraps" mentality - the idea that if we are still getting our daily chores done, then we must be fine. You may feel that your situation isn't "bad enough" to warrant professional help.
However, counseling isn't just for the breaking point. It is a practical tool for anyone trying to navigate a world that looks and feels very different to what it did a year ago.
You might find grief counseling helpful if:
Daily life feels heavy: You're finding it harder than usual to focus on routines or basic self-care.
The "Busy" trap: You find yourself staying frantically active just to keep your thoughts at bay.
Physical toll: Your sleep is restless, your appetite has changed, or you feel "drained" all the time.
A trusted nudge: A friend or family member has gently suggested that talking to someone might help.
What to Expect
The hardest part of the process is picking up the phone. We try to make everything after that as comfortable and straightforward as possible.
The Connection: We meet you where you are. We offer sessions in person at our offices or via a simple Telehealth video call.
The Conversation: Your first hour is simply for your story. There is no "right" way to talk about your loss. Your counselor will ask a few questions to understand your relationship with your loved one and how you're managing day-to-day.
The Aftermath: It's normal to feel a little tired after a session. We usually suggest planning something soothing afterwards.
The Benefits of Opening Up
Counseling offers a unique environment that even the best-intentioned friends and family cannot: total privacy.
Companionship in your grief: Together, you'll find new ways of coping with your grief and finding clarity in what feels confusing.
An Objective Perspective: It is a safe space where you can be 100% honest without worrying about "upsetting" your children or "burdening" your neighbors.
No Financial Barrier: Most importantly, these services are provided at no cost to you. Grief counseling is a benefit already included in our hospice services.
How Long Does Counseling Last?
Counseling is on your terms. You control how often you meet and when you feel ready to stop. (up to 13 months provided by VIA Health Partners)
Initial Stabilization: Many people find that weekly visits for the first two months help them feel much more grounded.
Deepening Insight: Continuing for four to six months often allows for more meaningful "aha" moments and better long-term coping strategies.
The 13-Month Window: We are with you. Many of our clients find it helpful to have that support through the first full cycle of holidays and anniversaries.
Take the Next Step
At VIA Health Partners, our team is made up of licensed professionals trained in grief work. We aren't here to "Fix" your grief, but to help you live with it.
Even if you feel you are "doing okay," you deserve a space to be heard. Please reach out to us at 704.335.4300 to schedule a conversation.
We're here to support you - We listen. We support. We care. - Call or message us anytime!
For more information, call us anytime at 833.839.1113 or send us a message at www.viahp.org/contact-form.
You may also check our Grief Support Event Calendar for upcoming support group meetings near you at www.viahp.org/grief-support-event-calendar
