Individual Services
Grief and Trauma Services
We provide the following support services for individuals ages 17+...
Grief & Loss
Trauma and Resilience
EMDR Therapy
Crisis Intervention
Certified First Responder Assistance
Front Line Workers
Lawyers and Judges Advocacy Program
Anxiety
Depression
Bipolar Disorder
Relationships
Couples
Death & Non-Death Losses
Death of a family member
Death of a friend
Death of a colleague
Divorce
Retirement
Failing health
Loss of home
Infertility
Miscarriage
Abortion
Loss of a job
Relocation
Military Deployment
Life changes/Transitions
LGBTQIA+ affirming
Traumatic Events
Loss of a significant relationship
Loss of a pet
Financial loss/strain
Empty nest
Starting/Finishing College
Career changes
Common Reactions to Grief & Loss
Physical
Headaches
Upset stomach
Changes in appetite
Changes in sleep
Lack of energy
Muscle weakness
Heaviness in chest
Cognitive
Disbelief
Difficulty concentrating
Short-term memory loss
Dreams about the deceased
Confusion
Yearning
Preoccupation about the deceased
Emotional
Sadness
Anger
Shock
Denial
Emptiness
Fear
Helplessness
Loneliness
Apathy
Numbness
Behavioral
Socially withdrawn
Isolation
Loss of interest
Restlessness
Sighing
Searching & calling out
Treasuring objects of the deceased
Spiritual
Blaming God
Lack of direction & hope
Wishing to join deceased
Lack of purpose
Questioning the meaning of life
Asking "Why?"
What is Disenfranchised Grief?
"When a loss is minimized, the griever may feel tentative or inhibited about grieving the loss publicly. There are three primary concepts that serve to disenfranchise someone’s grief:
The relationship between the griever and the deceased is not recognized
The death or loss is not recognized
The griever’s ability to grieve is not recognized" (Corr, 1999)
Following a loss, an essential element of the healing process is that the loss be recognized and validated.
(More information about disenfranchised grief and how to help recognize and validate loss can be found in Lisa Zoll's article in The New Social Worker by clicking here.)
Corr, C. (1999). Enhancing the concept of disenfranchised grief. Omega. 38 (1) 1-20.
Who are "Invisible Victims" of Trauma?
"An [invisible] victim is someone who experiences the feelings and impact of trauma without directly experiencing the trauma itself" (Schmidt, 2015). "Trauma may go unacknowledged and/or invalidated because the person who is traumatized (e.g., sexual assault, domestic violence) may fear that others will not understand, or that others may minimize their traumatic experience" (Hall & Hall, 2017; Rife, 2009).
We need to acknowledge the others who are impacted by traumatic event. This is done through advocacy, assistance, acknowledgment, validation, and support of all the affected parties. Application of these concepts will help foster a trusting and safe environment in the care of all who have been impacted.
(More information about disenfranchised trauma and how to help recognize and validate trauma can be found in Lisa Zoll's article in The New Social Worker by clicking here.)
Hall, M., & Hall, S. (2017). Managing the psychological impact of medical trauma: A guide for mental health and health care professionals. Spring Publishing Company.
Rife, S. C. (2009). Sexual assault, perceived stigma, and Christian fundamentalism: Understanding support seeking among victims. Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 1886. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/1886
Schmidt, M. (2015). Treating non-offending caregivers with a history of childhood sexual abuse and their sexually victimized children: a case study using object relations theory and trauma theory. (Unpublished master’s thesis). Smith College, Northampton, MA.
Common Reactions to Grief & Loss