How to Manage Grief During the Holidays
The holiday season can be especially hard after the loss of a loved one. This blog will discuss ways to manage grief during the holidays. Grief is an emotional response to loss, whether it is the death of a family member, pet, or anything else that has meaning to you. Grief can range from mild sadness to deep depression and may not always be obvious to others.
It is normal for people who have lost someone they love to feel sad during the holidays. It’s also normal for them to feel guilty about their feelings and worry that they will upset other family members if they don’t “act right” or smile more than usual. It is not normal to feel like you are keeping your loved one alive by forcing yourself to be happy and enjoying their presence. If you are finding yourself feeling sad or guilty during the holidays, please know that the feelings are completely natural and completely normal. It’s also possible that they will pass with time, but it can take some time for them to dissipate. It’s not a sign of weakness or inadequacy.
Taking Care of Yourself & loved Ones
[The holidays are a time of year when families come together and are often in a celebratory mood. This can be especially hard for people who have experienced the loss of a loved one…]
“It is not easy to lose a family member or friend,” says Mary Beth LaPier, LCSW-C, of the Hospice Foundation of America. “The holidays are an opportunity for loved ones and friends to support those who have experienced this loss. For people who have lost someone close, it can be difficult to find the right time during this busy period. It’s important that they do the things they enjoy in life, even if that means celebrating their loved one’s memory differently this year. There are many ways for people to create an event that celebrates their loved one. Talk to friends and family members about doing something together.
Grief is a Process
Grief is a complicated, personal process that is often difficult to manage. It can feel like an overwhelming burden and sometimes it can be hard to know what to do. or where to turn.Many seeking help feel like they are not “supposed” to be sad. Grief is often a difficult thing for those close to the deceased to accept and it can lead individuals down many different paths of needing help or validation that their grief is real and valid.
[It’s important for family members who are grieving during the holiday season not only to take care of themselves but also take care of each other;]
This includes talking openly about what they’re going through, remembering those who have died with rituals like memorial services or observing a day of remembrance. It also includes caring for the living by reaching out to them in loving ways. One way that family members can show their love is through Gift of Affection. This gift is given to those who are close and dear to an individual’s heart regardless of whether they’re alive or not. This gift consists of small cards, candles, flowers and other “tangible” items that have been purchased in memory of an individual who has passed away.
Grief Counseling at Mind by Design
Remember, there is no “right way” to grieve, but there are ways to nurture the intensity of grief so as to ease the pain. The journey through grief can be difficult. Reach out to your loved ones and other supports this year, and know that you are not alone.
Mind by Design offers grief counseling services to individuals and families. Click here to meet Kristin Justice, our grief specialist here at Mind by Design and please, reach out for help. You are not alone!
Where are you located? I need a therapist near me
We are fully online, which means that your therapy sessions will be help via video call on our HIPAA compliant Platform. Anyone in New Jersey can access our therapy services
How do I get started as a new client?
New Clients can reach out to us directly via call, text or email here:
Does my insurance cover my visits?
We provide”Courtesy Billing” for clients who are using the Out-of-network insurance benefits.
Our Insurance Page shares a small blurb about Why We Left Insurance Panels
What are out-of-network benefits?
When using OON benefits, patients typically pay the full cost of the treatment upfront and then file a claim with their insurance company for reimbursement. The amount of reimbursement can vary depending on the plan, but it can sometimes be as high as 90%. Call your insurance to see if you have OON benefits or click here to call us and we can check for you!
Is Online Therapy As Effective As In-Person Therapy?
Online therapy is essentially face-to-face counseling, just conducted remotely. Studies show that tele-therapy is as effective as traditional counseling. Professional organizations and state governments recognize its benefits and have set regulations for it. However, like any therapy, its success in achieving your goals isn’t guaranteed. It’s important to discuss with your therapist whether tele-therapy is working for you.
How Should I Prepare for My First Session?
Showing up is all that you need to do! But if you really want to get the most out of session, it could help to take some time to think about what you want from therapy. It helps to write down your goals, questions you have or things that you feel are important to share.
Do you offer traditional talk therapy?
of course! though we have some unconventional therapy approaches, we are rooted in evidenced based practices. Talk therapy is a major player in the therapy room! See What we Treat and Integrative Services for more information
Is Virtual Counseling Suitable for Everyone?
Online therapy might not be as effective for individuals with chronic suicidal thoughts, severe trauma, significant mental health history, or those recently in intensive care. Such cases often benefit more from traditional, in-person counseling. We’ll help you decide if our online services are right for you during your intake and evaluation.
Can I Change Therapists If I'm Not Happy?
Yes, you can switch therapists to another provider within the practice, or we can provide you a referral if preferred. We want to ensure that your time and effort are well spent, and that you are getting the relief you need, that’s why we work collaboratively with each other in the practice, as well as outside therapists who we know and trust.
How Do I Know If Therapy Is Helping?
You should feel like you’re making progress. Signs it’s working include:
- Feeling comfortable talking to your therapist
- Your therapist respects boundaries
- You’re moving towards your goals
- You feel listened to
You’re doing better in life - Your self-esteem is getting better
What is your cancellation policy?
We ask that clients provide at least 24 hours notice in the event that they need to cancel to avoid the 50% cancellation fee. we understand that life happens and do our best to be flexible & reschedule.
What Geographic Areas Are Served?
Currently, we serve clients in New Jersey and are expanding to other states as telehealth laws evolve. While telehealth offers the convenience of attending sessions from anywhere, state laws require clients to be in-state during their session.
Is Online Therapy Easy to Use for Non-Tech-Savvy People?
Yes, it’s pretty simple to access sessions. You’ll need basic internet skills, such as opening and visiting the patient link sent to you via email. It’s similar to video chatting like Facetime or Zoom. We can also walk you through it on the phone the first time to ensure a strong connection
What Questions Should I Ask My New Therapist?
Feel free to ask anything. Some good questions are:
- How often will we meet?
- What do you specialize in?
- What experience do you have with my issue?
- What outcomes can I expect?
- How will I know I’m progressing?
- How long do you usually work with clients?
- How will we set my treatment goals?
What is the difference between associate therapists & fully licensed therapists?
Our Qualifications:
Our founder, Rebecca Sidoti, is a highly qualified, state-licensed therapist and supervisor with extensive training in anxiety related disorders and innovative treatment such as Ketamine Therapy. Mind by Design Counseling adheres to standards set by the our governing counseling boards.
To see each providers credentials, training and licenses, visit our “Meet the Therapists” Page to learn more.
- LAC/LSW are therapists who may practice clinical work under the supervision of a fully licensed therapist.
- LPC/LCSW are therapists who have completed the necessary clinical hours post-graduation under supervision and can practice clinical work independently.
