Going through a divorce is often likened to the death of a loved one and is a very traumatic event to go through. Divorce can be devastating on so many levels - emotionally, physically, and financially. Your world may feel as though it has been ripped apart and when you're in the middle of it, you may not know where to turn in order to begin the healing process. For those individuals that may need assistance working through such a traumatic experience, grief counselors in Baltimore, MD, and the surrounding areas are available to help as you process the emotional difficulties and aftermath of a divorce.
The Five Stages of Divorce-Related Grief
Divorce typically takes you through the five main stages of grief:
Denial - The first stage in the grieving process is denial. Denial is the way your psyche tries to protect itself from such an overwhelming mental experience by denying that any change has occurred.
Anger - All of the repressed feelings you bottled up during the denial phase may eventually present themselves as anger. As long as the anger is directed in a healthy, controlled manner, this is a perfectly normal and necessary part of the grieving process.
Bargaining - At this stage, you may try to bargain or repair yourself so that you can become the person you think you "should" be in order to get your life back to "normal". The new reality may feel so overwhelming that you're willing to do anything to reverse what has been done.
Depression - Debilitating sadness is normal during the depression stage. There may be days when the only thing you can do is brush your teeth. Sadness is a completely normal phase as you navigate the stages of divorce and is a necessary part of the healing process.
Acceptance - During this final stage, you will start to see the light at the end of the tunnel. While this does not mean that you will no longer feel angry or sad, you will start to see how your life can get back to normal.
While all of the stages of divorce are perfectly normal, it is important to note that the healing process is non-linear. There will be setbacks and obstacles that you didn't foresee. When looking for help through the grieving process, many people seek a grief counselor in Baltimore MD, and throughout the region in order to aid them in their healing.
Healthy Ways to Deal with Divorce
There's no other way to say it - divorce can be incredibly difficult. You may lose sight of who you are while attempting to process the loss of a way of life, the loss of a partner and friend, and the mourning of what could have been. The good news is, you can take the grief you've experienced and begin to ask yourself introspective questions in order to gain some powerful insights about yourself. While you should not attempt to harbor all of the blame, it's very powerful to identify your role in the unraveling of your partnership and to use those insights to grow and change moving forward. Your friends and family can also play a critical role in your path towards healing by providing a loving and supportive network around you.
How Baltimore Grief Counselors Can Help
Trained divorce counselors can support you on your road back to health after a divorce. Through our work here at B'well Counseling Services, we hope to remind people that though life transitions can feel insurmountable at times, with support and guidance they can be doorways to healing, reconnection, and growth. Contact us today to get support through the grief of your divorce. We will assist you on your road towards health so that you're able to live the life that you have always envisioned for yourself.
About B'well | Grief Counselors in Baltimore MD
B'well Counseling Services is a mental health therapy practice offering a full range of therapeutic services including behavioral therapy in Towson, MD, and the Greater Baltimore area. We believe in helping people rekindle their curiosity and reconnect to their core selves so that they can truly be well. We value wellness and connection over happiness because we understand that being able to experience the full range of human emotions and experiences is what helps us heal and grow. At B'well, we are dedicated to creating a space for anyone who has ever felt unwelcome because of their identity, orientation, or expression.