
The experience of loss and grief can look very different from person to person. Some face this part of life and slowly overcome it in stages. Others have a more challenging time moving through grief, and it becomes prolonged—those experiencing long-lasting grief typically recount that it intensifies during the holiday season. That empty chair at the holiday meal, the remembrances of holidays past, and the tender ache of missed traditions all magnify the pain of loss. If you find yourself struggling with grief over this holiday season, please know that you can find relief from grief and step into a brighter New Year with EMDR.
Signs That Grief Is Impacting Your Daily Life
Even those who have processed their grief may have moments of sadness during the holiday season when they feel that pang of missing their loved one. However, unlike those who experience prolonged grief, they are often able to acknowledge these feelings and continue finding joy in the season. For individuals with prolonged grief, the sadness often feels unrelenting and all-encompassing. Signs that it may be time to seek help include:
- Avoiding reminders of your loved one.
- Struggling to focus on tasks.
- Feeling stuck in intense sorrow.
- Experiencing hopelessness about the future.
How EMDR Helps Those Experiencing Intense Grief
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR, for short) is a therapeutic approach that helps individuals process difficult memories and reduce the emotional intensity tied to their grief. For those experiencing prolonged grief, it can provide a path forward by addressing the unresolved pain that keeps them feeling stuck. Your EMDR therapist will gently guide you through your memories, helping your brain reprocess the emotions attached to the loss through bilateral stimulation techniques. After about 6-12 sessions, the weight of your grief won’t feel so heavy, and even though you will always miss your loved one, you can begin to move toward a place of healing from such deep sorrow.
Why the New Year Is an Ideal Time for Healing
The New Year is a great time to turn the page and embrace new possibilities. It’s a season of fresh starts and setting intentions for the life you want to build. If grief has been weighing too heavily in your heart and mind, now is the moment to take that first step toward lightening its hold. EMDR can help you process the pain, honor your loss, and create a life of happiness and resilience that honors your loved one’s memory. You deserve to break free from the grip of prolonged grief.
Take the First Step Toward Healing
Let Seasons of Strength guide you toward a brighter future in the New Year. Our independent private practice clinician, Laureen DiMattia, offers an individually tailored therapy experience to help you achieve true healing. EMDR works by stimulating the brain’s natural processing mechanisms, helping to reprocess and integrate distressing memories and emotions tied to grief. This process reduces emotional intensity, allowing you to move forward with greater clarity and peace. Contact us to learn more and get started.
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