Experiencing loss at some point in life is almost inevitable but without the right help, continuing to live life in a happy and productive way can become impossible. Severe reactions to loss may affect thought processes, daily living activities, familial relations, physical health and the ability to learn or hold a job. Philadelphia's trained bereavement counselors help sad and depressed residents cope and heal while creating a safe venue for feelings to be expressed.
Function
Philadelphia's grief and depression counseling centers and private practices all serve a common function. They seek to help grieving individuals live a pleasurable and rewarding life despite loss and traumatic events. Expert clinicians and trained psychotherapists help depressed Philadelphians understand what is considered professionally to be normal reactions to pain and learn from their grief. Families who seek counseling together often gain a chance to understand why their relatives behave in certain ways and so foster tolerance. The developmental needs of children are addressed to nurture and facilitate healthy growing experiences.
Reasons
People grieve and experience clinical depression for many reasons. Most of these are associated with a physical or emotional loss of some kind. Reported incidents include deaths of friends and family, loss of employment, debt and mounting financial obligations, broken marriages, volatile relationships, physical handicaps, loss of a limb, infertility and unrealized dreams and goals.
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms warranting grief counseling are identified by Philadephia's Council for Relationships as a manifestation of varying emotions and physical complaints. Emotions may range from anger, anxiety, guilt and distress to depression, mood swings, hopelessness, fear, suicidal or violent thoughts and constant worrying. Physical manifestations can affect the ability to carry out daily activities and include the following: insomnia, chest pain, muscle tension, shortness of breath, fatigue and pain. Philadelphia's Center for Growth and the Center for Grieving Teens, Children and Families explain that grief manifests in children as attention-deficit disorder, aggression, peer difficulties and poor performance in school.
Counseling
Counseling offered by Philadelphia's counseling centers and private practices vary by clients' needs, time for counseling and financial situations. Individual therapy is one-on-one counseling by a trained psychotherapist. Individual sessions offer clients the opportunity to discuss traumatic events and express the whole range of emotions about how they have been affected. Therapists may then help clients identify healthy patterns of behavior to achieve a successful life despite obstacles. Play therapy is often used with children ages 3 to 11 and offers therapists a chance to see children's emotions as they are expressed through play. Family therapy differs slightly from individual therapy in that a counselor meets with an entire family to address a range of emotions and view relational interactions. Family therapists help relatives gain a better understanding of their relatives' feelings to create tolerance and stress management.
Staff
Philadelphia grief and depression counselors have a variety of educational backgrounds. They are licensed clinical social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, registered nurses and family therapists.
