Grief Journey

By Robert A. Sisler, M.A., BCPC, BCMHC

Grief is a universal human experience, but it is also one of the most misunderstood and neglected aspects of our lives. This book is a guide for anyone who is going through grief, or who wants to support someone who is. It is based on the latest research and insights from psychology, neuroscience, spirituality, and personal stories of people who have faced different types of losses. It offers practical tools and strategies to help you navigate the complex and often unpredictable process of grieving, and to find healing and growth along the way. In this book, we will examine how to overcome complicated grief with the help of professional therapy, peer support groups, self-care practices, spiritual resources, and creative outlets. We will also explore how to find meaning in our losses by honoring our loved one's memory in various ways; by reconnecting with children, family, friends; by pursuing new goals and interests; by helping others who are going through or have some similar losses; and by developing a new sense of identity and purpose.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Robert A. Sisler
• Release date: Nov 1, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223734284

Book preview

About The Editor

Rev. Robert A. Sisler is a Pastor in the United Methodist Church. He is a Board Certified Pastoral Counselor  and a Board Certified Christian Mental Health Coach. He completed his pastoral education at Duke Divinity School in Durham,  NC.  and completed a Master’s Degree in Counseling at West Virginia University. He is a current member of the National Association of Christian Counselors.

Rev. Sisler has served on the Board of Directors and as a volunteer of the West Virginia Family Grief Center, the Board of Directors of The Caritas House, and the Board of Directors of the Mountain Top Crisis Pregnancy Center. He also served as a volunteer and counselor at the Federal Correctional Facility – Morgantown.

Rev. Sisler provides Pastoral Counseling services for people from all social and economic backgrounds. He specializes in grief counseling but offers counseling services in many areas of spiritual and emotional needs. All counseling is Spirit guided to bring Spiritual, Physical, Emotional, Cognitive, and Social wholeness as God created us to be.

Introduction

Grief is a universal human experience, but it is also one of the most misunderstood and neglected aspects of our lives. We often avoid talking about it, or we try to minimize it with clichés and platitudes. We may feel ashamed of our emotions, or we may fear that we are not coping well enough. We may also struggle to find meaning and purpose in the face of loss and suffering.

This book is a guide for anyone who is going through grief, or who wants to support someone who is. It is based on the latest research and insights from psychology, neuroscience, spirituality, and personal stories of people who have faced different types of losses. It also contains various internet sources pulled together in one location for easy access. It offers practical tools and strategies to help you navigate the complex and often unpredictable process of grieving, and to find healing and growth along the way.

In this book, you will learn:

How to understand the stages and tasks of grief, and how they vary, depending on the type and context of the loss

How to cope with the physical, emotional, cognitive, social, and spiritual impacts of grief

How to deal with common challenges and complications of grief, such as guilt, anger, depression, anxiety, loneliness, and trauma

How to find support and resources for your grief journey, and how to help others who are grieving

How to cultivate resilience and post-traumatic growth in the aftermath of loss

How to honor and integrate your loss into your life story, and how to create a lasting legacy for your loved one

Grief is not something that you have to get over or move on from. It is not a problem in search of a solution; it is a daily process of our lives. It is not a linear path, not a straight line on a continuum, but a dynamic cycle that changes over time. It is not something to be avoided, but something to be embraced. It is a Journey. Grief can be a source of transformation, resilience, and compassion, if we are willing to open our hearts and minds to God's grace.

Stories are shared to illustrate some of the points in this book. These stories may be from people I have interviewed, worked with as a grief counselor, or studied as part of my education or research process. These stories are not meant to be doctrine or absolute, but rather to show the diversity and richness of human experiences of loss. They are also meant to inspire you and give you hope that you are not alone in your grief journey, and that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

The first story I will share is that of Sarah who lost her husband Tom in a car accident when they were both 35 years old. They had been married for 10 years and had two young children. Sarah was devastated by Tom's death and felt like her world had collapsed. She went through a period of intense shock, denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and isolation. She had trouble sleeping, eating, working, parenting and socializing. She felt guilty for surviving the accident, angry at Tom for leaving her, depressed about the future without him, and lonely in her grief.

SARAH'S STORY IS AN example of what is called complicated grief, which is a type of grief that lasts longer than expected or interferes with normal functioning. Complicated grief can occur when the loss is sudden, violent, traumatic, or unexpected; when the relationship with the deceased was ambivalent or conflicted; when there are multiple losses or stressors; or when there is a lack of social support or coping skills. Complicated grief can lead to serious mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, substance abuse, suicidal thoughts or behaviors.

In this book, we will examine how to overcome complicated grief with the help of professional therapy, peer support