# Grief and loss

> Treatment for grief and loss in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy to process emotions and find a path to healing.

- **Professional**: Mónica Söderberg (Psicóloga Sanitaria, colegiada P-02710)
- **URL**: https://mentesalud.es/en/tratamientos/duelo

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Certain difficult situations (grief, loss, break-ups) can leave a deep emotional mark. We accompany you in the grieving process so you can process your emotions and find a path to healing.

Grief is a natural response to loss (of a person, a relationship, a job, health); when it goes on for a long time or becomes so intense that it blocks daily life, professional support can be helpful. Therapy does not aim to “get over” the loss at once but to accompany the process, validate the pain and prevent grief from becoming complicated. We combine an approach of acceptance and emotional validation with elements of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy: work on thoughts that intensify suffering, gradual recovery of routines and addressing avoidance. In Las Palmas we offer a space where you can talk about the loss calmly and move forward at your own pace.

## Symptoms

- Deep and persistent sadness
- Denial of the loss
- Anger and resentment
- Guilt and self-reproach
- Anxiety and fear
- Social withdrawal
- Difficulty concentrating
- Sleep disturbance
- Loss of interest in activities
- Sense of emptiness
- Idealisation of the past
- Difficulty accepting reality
- Physical symptoms (fatigue, pain)
- Recurrent thoughts about the loss

## How we work with grief and loss

Grief is a natural response; therapy does not aim to “get over it” at once but to accompany the process and prevent it from becoming complicated. We work from an integrative approach that combines emotional validation (giving space to pain, anger, guilt or longing) with elements of CBT: identifying thoughts that intensify suffering (“I’ll never be okay without that person”), recovering routines and meaningful activities gradually and addressing avoidance that blocks adjustment to the new reality.

When grief is after a death we include work on the bond and meaning; when it is after a break-up, job loss or other type of loss we adapt the goals (acceptance, redefining identity, new goals). The person sets the pace; the therapist guides without pushing.

There is no standard time for grief: some people need a few months of support, others more. Sessions are usually weekly or fortnightly at first and are spaced when the loss is more integrated. The aim is for you to be able to continue your life with greater peace, without forgetting the person or what was lost, and with resources for difficult moments (anniversaries, significant dates).

## What to expect in grief therapy

### Welcome and assessment

The first sessions are a space to tell your story and how you feel. We assess whether there are elements of complicated grief (emotional block, extreme avoidance, self-harm ideation) and set goals: being able to talk about the loss, recovering habits, reducing rumination, etc.

### Processing

Weekly or fortnightly sessions in which we alternate emotional expression and cognitive-behavioural work. There is no fixed time; some people need a few months, others more. You set the pace and we accompany you.

### Integration and closure

When the loss is more integrated (not forgotten) and you can continue your life with greater peace we discuss spacing sessions and discharging. The door remains open to return if you need support at significant dates or in new circumstances.

## Frequently asked questions

### When does grief need professional help?

Grief needs professional help when symptoms are intense and persistent for more than 6 months, when it significantly interferes with daily life, or when symptoms of major depression or severe anxiety appear.

### How does therapy help in the grieving process?

Therapy provides a safe space to express emotions, helps process the loss in a healthy way, offers tools to manage emotional pain and facilitates adaptation to the new reality without the person or situation that was lost.

### How long does the grieving process last?

There is no standard time for grief. Each person experiences it in their own way. Therapy helps make the process more bearable and to prevent it from becoming complicated or pathological grief.

### Can therapy help with losses not related to death?

Yes, therapy is equally effective for processing different types of loss: relationship break-ups, job loss, major life changes, loss of health or any situation that involves a significant loss.

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Source: Mente y Salud — https://mentesalud.es