Grief Counseling in Casper, WY

Grief is a normal response to loss

Grief is not a problem to fix. It is what happens when we lose someone or something that mattered. There is no set schedule for it, and it rarely moves in a straight line. Some days feel almost normal, and then a song or a date on the calendar brings it all back.

For many people, the sadness of grief softens with time and support from the people around them. Counseling can help when you want a place to talk about the loss without worrying about burdening friends or family, or when the people closest to you are grieving too.

When grief gets stuck

Sometimes grief does not ease. Brandon's writing on depression points out that unresolved grief, like long-term stress or trauma, can shift into depression when the nervous system does not get a chance to return to balance. Some signs that grief may need more support:

• Replaying the death or the loss over and over
• Feeling numb, cut off or unable to cry
• Avoiding places, people or reminders tied to the loss
• Guilt or blame that will not let up
• Losing interest in life for weeks at a time
• Trouble sleeping, eating or getting through the workday

How we work with grief

Much of grief counseling is simply having someone stay with you in the hard feelings. Brandon's approach is emotion-forward and grounded in attachment, so there is room to feel sadness, anger, love and relief without having to tidy them up first.

We also pay attention to the body. Grounding, breathing and body awareness can help when grief shows up as tightness, exhaustion or restless energy, and give you something to use between sessions.

EMDR for grief and loss

EMDR is best known as a trauma therapy, but grief and loss are on the list of issues Brandon notes it is used for. When a loss came with painful moments, like a phone call, a hospital room or a sudden accident, those memories can stay sharp and keep pulling you back.

EMDR can help reprocess those memories so they feel less intense, which often leaves more room for the good memories of the person you lost. Justin also makes EMDR a core part of his work, blending it with talk therapy and making sure you feel prepared at each step.

Grief counseling in Casper, WY for individuals and families

A loss often touches a whole household. Sessions can be individual, couple or family, usually 60 minutes, weekly or every other week. Brandon also works with parenting, which can help when you are grieving and trying to support your kids at the same time.

Justin is a former EMT and works with first responders and medical professionals, who often carry the cumulative stress of what they see on the job.