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  • Socially withdrawn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:

  1. The relationship between the griever and the deceased is not recognized

  2. The death or loss is not recognized

  3. 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