Grief and Loss Counseling Services

Hospice For Utah provides grief, bereavement, and loss counseling and groups for anyone in the community.   Hospice For Utah also specializes in supporting employers/employees coping with loss issues.  We provide memorial and bereavement services as well as consultation for creating healing trays or sanctuaries. Please contact us if interested in a healing program.   Hospice For Utah also provides continuing contact and support for a year following the death of a loved one.

“Remember, that which brings us our greatest sorrow also brought us our greatest joy.”

What is Grief?
Grief is a natural response to loss.  It’s the emotional suffering you feel when something or someone you love is taken away.  Grieving is a personal and highly individual experience.  There is no typical response to loss, as there is no typical loss. 

Examples of Loss:

• A relationship breakup
• Loss of health
• Losing a job or financial stability
• A loved one’s serious illness
• Loss of a friendship
• Death of a pet
• A miscarriage
• Loss of safety after a trauma

When grief doesn’t go away…
It’s normal to feel sad, numb, or angry following a loss.  But as time passes, these emotions should become less intense as you accept the loss and move forward.  Eventually the loss should not remain center stage.  If you aren’t feeling better over time or your grief is getting worse, it may be a sign that your grief has developed into a more serious problem.

• Intense longing and yearning for the deceased
• Intrusive thoughts or images of your loved one
• Denial of the death or sense of disbelief
• Avoiding things that remind you of your loved one
• Extreme anger or bitterness over the loss
• Blame yourself for the loss or failing to prevent it
• Difficulty trusting others since the loss
• Feeling that life is meaningless
• Intense, pervasive sense of guilt
• Thoughts of suicide or preoccupation with dying
• Inability to function at work, home, and/or school

Coping with Grief: Take care of yourself
When you’re grieving, it’s more important than ever to take care of yourself.  The stress of a major loss can quickly deplete your energy and emotional reserves.  Looking after your physical and emotional needs will help you get through this difficult time.

When to seek professional help
If you recognize any of the above symptoms of complicated grief or clinical depression, talk to a mental health professional right away.  Left untreated, complicated grief and depression can lead to significant emotional damage.

Contact Information:
Hospice For Utah’s therapists specialize in the treatment of grief, bereavement, loss and related issues.  If you would like to set up an initial consultation, please call us at (801) 621-6642.

Heather Potaker, LCSW

Lisa Warner, LPC