How Does a Grief Counselor Help?
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Grief
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Grief is usually emotional distress caused by the loss or death of a known person. This kind of loss can create emotional upsets such as shock and disbelief, which may lead to sudden and possibly prolonged mood swings. The symptoms of grief may make it difficult to function for a period of time until some sort of resolution and equilibrium is reached. A grief counselor can provide emotional help and support until you reach that resolution.
Counseling
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A grief counselor has a number of different options at her disposal, including traditional counseling sessions (similar to psychotherapy where the patient expresses his thoughts, feelings, and emotions), meditation, guided imagery and healing rituals like the commemoration of the lost loved one. The purpose of these exercises is for the client to express his feelings, to talk through his emotional state, and to purge himself of negativity so that he can bring himself under emotional control. In order to provide these services properly, grief counselors must undergo training (up to 10 weeks, according to crisis-center.org), and in many states they must also be certified. Many grief counselors come from mental health backgrounds, but a degree is not necessary to get into this field.
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Individuals
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Grief and how it is felt, expressed and come to terms with, is unique to each person. The grief counselor's methods for helping her client reach a state of emotional health will also vary from one client to another. Some clients may need nothing more than for someone to listen and support them, a role that a grief counselor can easily fill. Others may need to resolve deeper issues. People come to grief counselors in the same ways that they would come to a therapist. If they find themselves in a situation with no friends or family to turn to, then a grief counselor may be an accessible option. Additionally, many businesses and churches keep grief counselors on staff. In the case of businesses, it is sometimes mandatory policy for employees experiencing a loss to have at least one meeting with a grief counselor.
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