Dealing with the loss of a loved one can be devasting. You will undoubtedly experience feelings of sadness, loss, even anger and confusion. While some people are able to navigate these emotions alone, others may need professional help. As directors of funeral homes in Rockford, IL, we understand how challenging of a time this can be and want to make sure you are well aware that there is help available.

Although talking to your friends and family can be helpful, if you are truly needing professional grief support, they are ill-equipped to help you. In this case, a professional licensed grief counselor is who you should seek out.

What is a Grief Counselor?

If you are not familiar with a grief counselor, they are a professional who, through therapy, helps you work through the stages of grief. These professionals help you process your feelings and emotions in a healthy way.

They do this by holding one-on-one sessions with you. During this time you can talk openly about your feelings and dive deep into them so that you can better understand and handle them. If you wish, you can opt for groups sessions instead. These sessions work the same way except that you are in a group setting with others who are also experiencing grief.

Depending on the type of counselor you choose, they may or may not prescribe medications. These medications are not used to heal your grief as there is no medication for that, they do however help with some of the side effects of grieving such as depression or anxiety.

What Do All the Letters Mean?

Each professional you see will have letters behind their name This can be confusing as you will notice a wide range in these letters. To help you understand better what they mean, here are some of the most commonly seen:

• MD- This means they hold a doctorate from a medical school. These doctors can prescribe medications to their patients
• PhD, PsyD, EdD- These professionals also hold doctorates, but they have been achieved from colleges and then field work rather than from a medical school
• MA, MS, LGPC, and LCPC- These mean that the person has a mater-level training in psychology
• MSW, LGSW, LCSW, LMSW, LISW, LSW- These refer to social workers
• CCPT, CpastC, NCPC, NCCA- These represent pastoral counselling and will take a more spiritual approach to the therapy.

I’m Ready to Get Started, Now What?

First of all, congratulations on deciding to see out professional help. Some people sometimes have a difficult time asking for or admitting that they need help. You should be proud of yourself for taking the first step.

Now that you are ready, there are a few ways you can find a grief counselor. If you have health insurance either privately or through your work, you should check with them first as they may have counselors in their network.

If you do not have insurance or your insurance doesn’t cover grief support, you can perform an online search for counselors in your area. You could also call your local city office as many times they will have mental health services that would include therapy. You can also reach out to funeral homes in Rockford, IL as many have several resources they can point you to. Contact us today if you need help or would like to get more information about our service options.