Loss and Grief
Grief is the natural emotional response to loss. It can be overwhelming, unpredictable, and deeply personal. Whether brought on by the death of a loved one, the end of a relationship, a significant life change, or even the loss of a dream, grief manifests in many forms — sadness, anger, guilt, confusion, and sometimes numbness.
There is no “right” way to grieve. The process doesn’t follow a fixed timeline or set of stages, though common experiences may include denial, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. These are not linear steps, but rather, overlapping and recurring emotions that can arise and subside without warning.
Grief affects not just the mind, but the body and spirit. It can cause fatigue, changes in appetite, disrupted sleep, and a sense of disconnection from the world. In some moments, grief feels like a heavy fog; in others, a sharp pang that catches the breath.
Yet amid the pain, grief is also an expression of love. It is evidence of how deeply we cared, how much something or someone meant to us. Over time — with support, self-compassion, and space — the sharp edges of grief can soften. Healing doesn’t mean forgetting or “moving on,” but learning to live with the loss, to carry it in a new way.
Grief can open us to our vulnerability and to the shared experience of being human. In honoring our sorrow, we also honor the connection that gave it shape.
Rita Davis, LCSW, can help you work through whatever situation is resulting in feelings of grief or loss. In time, her clients gradually begin to feel better, and life seems less heavy.
Rita Davis, LCSW, will help you navigate grief and loss and help you work through your feelings about what has occurred.