How do I know if grief counseling is right for me?

Feeling deep grief after the death of a loved one is very normal. However, many people benefit from the guidance of a grief counselor to help them learn to cope with the loss in a healthy way. What are some signs that grief counseling could help you?

Your loved one's death was very sudden, unexpected, or traumatic in some way.
You are having trouble coping with your everyday responsibilities, due to your grief.
You can't stop thinking about your loved one or the circumstances of their death.
You have a history of trauma, depression, or anxiety.

How is integrative grief counseling different from basic "talk therapy"?

Basic "talk therapy":

Mostly focused on talking about your thoughts and feelings.
Therapist is a "generalist," not specifically trained in issues related to grief.
Long term, open-ended, and unstructured, not goal-focused.

Integrative Grief Counseling:

Combines all elements of grief: physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, social.
Therapist is a grief specialist, with extensive training and experience in grief.
Customized skill-building, education, practice, and take-home exercises.
Each session expands on your existing strengths and preferred coping methods.
Structured and goal-focused, with a targeted end-date.
Research-based measurement, with milestone analysis.
Use of "eye movement" technique to reprocess traumatic memories.

Collaborative approach: we work together to integrate your new skills into your daily life so you can achieve your goals for long term healing.

Do you take medical insurance?

In order to provide you with high quality, customized care, I provide services as an out-of-network healthcare provider. Full payment is expected using cash, check, or credit card at the start of each session. You can also use your Flexible Spending or Health Savings Account (FSA or HSA) debit card.

Upon your request, I will supply you with a receipt of payment for services, which you can submit to your insurance company for reimbursement. This receipt will require me to share private health information, such as a clinical diagnosis code. Please note that not all insurance companies reimburse for out-of-network providers, but most do. Please contact your insurance company for more information about your out-of-network coverage and deductibles.

How long does each therapy session take? How many sessions do I need?

Your first session will last 75 minutes to allow plenty of time for us to get to know one another. During this visit, we work together to establish goals for your treatment. Follow up sessions (50 minutes each) continue on a weekly basis, in order to ensure steady progress.

If you consistently attend weekly sessions and are highly motivated to practice your new skills at home, you are likely to reach your therapy goals in 4-6 months of treatment. Sometimes, your goals change or other life events might complicate your therapy. The length of treatment will be customized to best meet your needs.

How do I know if grief counseling is right for me?

Feeling deep grief after the death of a loved one is very normal. However, many people benefit from the guidance of a grief counselor to help them learn to cope with the loss in a healthy way. What are some signs that grief counseling could help you?

Your loved one's death was very sudden, unexpected, or traumatic in some way.

You are having trouble coping with your everyday responsibilities, due to your grief.

You can't stop thinking about your loved one or the circumstances of their death.

You have a history of trauma, depression, or anxiety.

How is integrative grief counseling different from basic "talk therapy"?

Basic "talk therapy":

Mostly focused on talking about your thoughts and feelings.

Therapist is a "generalist," not specifically trained in issues related to grief.

Long term, open-ended, and unstructured, not goal-focused.

Integrative Grief Counseling:

Combines all elements of grief: physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, social.

Therapist is a grief specialist, with extensive training and experience in grief.

Customized skill-building, education, practice, and take-home exercises.

Each session expands on your existing strengths and preferred coping methods.

Structured and goal-focused, with a targeted end-date.

Research-based measurement, with milestone analysis.

Use of "eye movement" technique to reprocess traumatic memories.

Collaborative approach: we work together to integrate your new skills into your daily life so you can achieve your goals for long term healing.

Do you take medical insurance?

In order to provide you with high quality, customized care, I provide services as an out-of-network healthcare provider. Full payment is expected using cash, check, or credit card at the start of each session. You can also use your Flexible Spending or Health Savings Account (FSA or HSA) debit card.

How long does each therapy session take? How many sessions do I need?

Your first session will last 75 minutes to allow plenty of time for us to get to know one another. During this visit, we work together to establish goals for your treatment. Follow up sessions (50 minutes each) continue on a weekly basis, in order to ensure steady progress.

FAQs

Johnston Integrative Counseling, PLLC

58 Old Roberts Rd, Benson NC 27504

near McGee's Crossroads

pam@johnstonintegrativecounseling.com

919-912-5736

How do I know if grief counseling is right for me?

Feeling deep grief after the death of a loved one is very normal. However, many people benefit from the guidance of a grief counselor to help them learn to cope with the loss in a healthy way. What are some signs that grief counseling could help you?

Your loved one's death was very sudden, unexpected, or traumatic in some way.

You are having trouble coping with your everyday responsibilities, due to your grief.

You can't stop thinking about your loved one or the circumstances of their death.

You have a history of trauma, depression, or anxiety.

How is integrative grief counseling different from basic "talk therapy"?

Basic "talk therapy":

Mostly focused on talking about your thoughts and feelings.

Therapist is a "generalist," not specifically trained in issues related to grief.

Long term, open-ended, and unstructured, not goal-focused.

​

Integrative Grief Counseling:

Combines all elements of grief: physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, social.

Therapist is a grief specialist, with extensive training and experience in grief.

Customized skill-building, education, practice, and take-home exercises.

Each session expands on your existing strengths and preferred coping methods.

Structured and goal-focused, with a targeted end-date.

Research-based measurement, with milestone analysis.

Use of "eye movement" technique to reprocess traumatic memories.

Collaborative approach: we work together to integrate your new skills into your daily life so you can achieve your goals for long term healing.

Do you take medical insurance?

How long does each therapy session take? How many sessions do I need?

Your first session will last 75 minutes to allow plenty of time for us to get to know one another. During this visit, we work together to establish goals for your treatment. Follow up sessions (50 minutes each) continue on a weekly basis, in order to ensure steady progress.

FAQs