Finding a grief counselor

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Permalink Reply by diannerose on September 26, 2012 at 3:06am

Hi Nikki,

If you Google for 'grief counseling in Salt Lake City Utah' you'll find a few links that may be of help. I found this for you: http://www.theravive.com/therapy/grief-counseling-salt-lake-city-ut

Also, most Hospices offer individual or group grief counseling. If you Google Hospice in Salt Lake City you'll find a fairly long list of them. I know of alot of widows who have found that they have been really helped by Hospice. I wish I could suggest a good counselor but I live in another state and haven't used one myself yet, as I don't have the money, or the insurance.

I hope this helps at least a little.

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Permalink Reply by kat on September 29, 2012 at 10:42pm

You may want to talk to your family doctor for recommendations.  I found therapy for my son first.  He was only 6 when my husband died, and he refused to talk with me about since I fell apart every time he did...it didn't help that I was pregnant when this happened.  I have since started seeing someone in the same office once a week.  It helps to talk through the craziness of it all.  I have refused to go through the anger phase and my counselor is walking me through this whole process.  I hope you find a great counselor!

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Permalink Reply by Youngatheart on September 30, 2012 at 12:52am

Check with your local Hospice center.  Also check with the local catholic churches.  My daughter saw a grief counselor for a few months before joining one of their groups for children who lost a parent.  It helped her a lot.  I been going bereavement group thru one of our catholic churches.  It meets monthly.  It gets you thru all the firsts for the first year.  It has helped me so much and I have made some new friends who just get it. One other place to check out is the local hospital, they may be able to give you some references.  This is a difficult journey, but you are making the first steps to finding your way.  (((hugs))))

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Permalink Reply by Zipper on October 11, 2012 at 10:39pm

I lost my husband to a sudden heart attack and never used Hospice, but through friends/contacts that is where I ended up when I was looking for some individual counseling.  It was amazing to me that they offered individual grief counseling and support groups to anyone - free of charge.  I am not sure if it is the same for the all of the Hospice's, but this is our local non-profit Hospice and they have been very helpful.  I have only used the individual counseling, but I did try a Griefshare group a few weeks ago - - I just don't think I was ready for group support, but they did seem well organized and might be another option.  It's only been about 8 weeks so I think I may try a group at some point, but right now the individual counseling has been helpful.  

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Permalink Reply by Youngatheart on October 11, 2012 at 11:44pm

I sent my daughter (18) to Hospice for individual and group counseling.  They helped her so much.  They would not let her start the group until they thought she was ready.  It was a Godsend to her. She was the youngest one in the group, but they all seemed to take her under their wings.  That was very comforting for me.  I joined a local church.  We meet once a month for 13 months. (I didn't think I could handle weekly meetings) The group I go to, helps us get through the 1st of everything.  It has helped me so much.  All I can say, bereavement groups help us navigate this journey.  If you don't find one you are comfortable with, don't give up.  Just keep looking.  It will help you in the long run.  It is a difficult journey, just take a day at a time, if you can't even look that far ahead, just go moment by moment.  Be gentle on yourself.  Don't be afraid to accept help.  We need it right now.

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Permalink Reply by Cathy on October 11, 2012 at 11:12pm

Nikki, I also have used Hospice services for counseling (I'm in MI), they offer individual and group, no charge. And you did not have to use Hospice services, although we did, but a different Hospice center. The group has been a big support for me, I find it helps to know that others are going through the same issues as I. All ages come, and I see the same grief in all  faces, age makes no difference. It is good to get feedback from others, to hear how they cope. I am currently searching for an individual counselor who is also a widow. Takes one to know one.

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Permalink Reply by Lynne on October 11, 2012 at 11:48pm

I agree about looking into Hospice, even if you didn't use them.  I attended a free nine week group here and it was incredibly useful to me and I was very, very impressed - and I'm hard to impress as I AM a therapist!  I haven't done individual counseling but if they have that and if it's anything like their groups, then I think it would probably be very very good.  With that being said, you really do have find the right "fit" for you - every therapist is different and that sense of connection is vital - and it's different for everyone.  Good luck and I hope you find just the right person for you.  All the best, Lynne

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Permalink Reply by jean on October 12, 2012 at 3:08pm

hospice is a great suggestion. Also, check with local churches...  I stumbled into a greif couselors office when I went to pay off my grave site sometime after Mike died.. I didn't know she was a counselor, thougth she was taking me to her office for the paperwork!  LOL  she was instrumental in saving my life at the time!  I recommend it. They reafirm what we are going through is normal and it will get better.  (((hugs)))

 

 

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Permalink Reply by desnamt on October 13, 2012 at 11:55pm

I live in RI I am looking for grief counselor but dont have a car. Does anyone know if they come out to you?

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VOLUNTEERPermalink Reply by Supa Dupa Fresh on October 16, 2012 at 2:32pm

Desnamt, the only way to find out is to call the places that are closest to you! Please do call, and don't forget hospice. You might also be able to enlist volunteers or "carpool" with other members, if you find a group. And the only way to know if you get along is to go! Hope you find something good that works for you... in-person support is really helpful over time.

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Permalink Reply by NikkiPea on October 15, 2012 at 8:05pm

Wow! Thank you everyone for your replies and support!! I had forgotten about checking with hospice, and with that suggestion I realized that I could always contact the palliative care team that we used at the hospital when he passed. I'm sure they have some great resources. I also didn't think about checking with the social worker or even the rec therapist that always helped us SO much when we needed something. Even checking with his clinic would be a good place to go. I'm sure the hospital has something in place. I know they used to have a group support - one of my friends used it when her dad died. I just need to get out there and look. Make some phone calls. But for some reason I've really been putting it off. Perhaps it's because I've been doing fairly well with things, but I'm coming up on the year mark and so I have a feeling I'm going to need someone to talk to and help me work through things around the holiday season. He passed about week before my birthday and just 2 weeks before Christmas. 

Thank you all, again, for the responses. Hope this thread has helped someone else out too! :)

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VOLUNTEERPermalink Reply by Supa Dupa Fresh on October 16, 2012 at 2:37pm

Glad to see all the helpful responses you received, Nikki! When you call hospices, keep in mind they're not just referring you... MANY hospice organizations are mandated to support bereaved people in the community, regardless of whether they "used" that (or any) Hospice. Keep in mind too that groups hosted in churches MAY OR MAY NOT be religious... churches provide meeting space for all kinds of community groups.

My hospice person told me this, too: Go three times. Even if you don't feel like going back after one visit, soldier through it. It can be hard to be in a group of grieving people -- it is pressure, and social interaction -- and the stories may be painful -- but somehow we each find a way to BENEFIT from that if we keep going back. Being with people IN PERSON is different from online communities -- some pluses, some minuses -- but for me, it was lifesaving. Which is why I created this place!

X

Supa

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