TREATMENT FOR GRIEF
Complicated GriefÂ
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If you are grieving, it means you have lost something that was deeply connected to who you are. Grief comes in many forms. You might grieve the loss of a loved one, but you may also grieve the loss of a place, a job, a role, or even a sense of identity. Loss disrupts the way we see ourselves and our world. It can shake the ground beneath us and leave us questioning who we are.
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Most people only know that grief hurts. Some may think of the “five stages of grief” as the map of the process. While stages can be part of the story, grief is far more complex than that. There is what we might call “normal grief,” meaning the natural pain and sadness we expect after a loss. Then there is complicated grief, which is when the process of grieving becomes stuck, prolonged, or overwhelming.
What Is Complicated Grief?Â
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Complicated grief, sometimes called prolonged grief disorder, goes beyond the expected grieving process. It may last much longer, feel more intense, or interfere with everyday life in ways that make healing difficult. Signs include persistent longing for the lost person or thing, difficulty accepting the loss, intense emotional pain that does not lessen over time, or avoidance of reminders of the loss. Complicated grief can make it feel impossible to move forward, even months or years after the loss.
Grief vs Depression (and Grief vs Trauma)Â
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Grief and depression are different, though they may look alike from the outside. Depression often includes feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, and loss of pleasure in all areas of life. Grief, even when painful, still allows moments of positive emotion—memories that bring warmth, or small glimpses of connection. Complicated grief, however, can blur this line, looking very similar to depression.
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Grief can also overlap with trauma. Losing someone suddenly or in a traumatic way can create symptoms of post-traumatic stress alongside grief. At HighTide Mental Health, we are certified trauma providers, which means we can recognize when grief is traumatic and treat it with the appropriate evidence-based methods.
How to Identify if Someone May Be Experiencing Complicated GriefÂ
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People experiencing complicated grief often show patterns in what they say and how they act. They may repeatedly talk about the loss as if it happened yesterday, even when it has been months or longer. They may isolate themselves, stop participating in daily activities, or avoid people and places that remind them of their loss. Their body language may seem heavy: shoulders hunched, eyes down, or appearing disconnected from their surroundings.
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You might hear them say things like:
- “I’ll never feel okay again.”
- “I can’t move on without them.”
- “Everything ended when I lost this.”
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These statements reveal how grief has become overwhelming, shifting from a painful process into a condition that needs care and support.
Treatment for Complicated GriefÂ
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At HighTide Mental Health, all of our clinicians are trained in Complicated Grief Therapy (CGT), a specialized treatment developed specifically for this condition. CGT combines elements of cognitive behavioral therapy, attachment theory, and trauma work to help clients process their grief and re-engage in life. Our dual expertise in trauma treatment and personality disorder treatment allows us to address complicated grief with nuance and precision.
A Small Practice to  Help with Grief`Â
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If you are experiencing complicated grief, one small step you can take is to create a “continuing bond” ritual. This might mean setting aside five minutes a day to write a short letter to the person or role you’ve lost, or lighting a candle while remembering a positive moment. These practices can help shift the grief from being something that controls you into something you can honor while also moving forward.
