Your alarm goes off to signify the beginning of a new day, but as you awake and come to your senses, you immediately feel a tightness in your chest and a sinking feeling in your stomach. You struggle to concentrate and experience random bouts of anger, irritability and extreme anxiousness throughout your day. No matter how many friends or family members have reached out with condolences, warm hugs and a shoulder to cry on, you feel more alone than ever before.

If you’ve experienced the loss of a loved one, the grief can be debilitating and can affect your ability to live your own life. Although the grief may fade with time, today you feel as though you’re trapped and suffocating – and you feel as though you’ll never see the light again. The truth of the matter is that millions of people endure the pain of grief each and every day and while this doesn’t make it any easier, it can help to know that you certainly are not alone. Even more, there are places to go and talk to someone without feeling smothered in attention from well meaning friends.

Grief counselors are professional specialists who will not only provide you the opportunity to share your feelings and experiences; they will do so without a shred of judgment. Grief counseling Atlanta specialists understand that everyone handles loss in their own way, and the way you cope with your grief is often shaped by your culture, religion and previous life experiences. You don’t have to worry about being told that what you are doing is wrong, but they can offer you unique coping mechanisms that can help you begin to feel more like yourself once again.

If you’re currently experiencing grief, you may be opposed to the idea of speaking with a professional.  People are quick to assume that counseling are only for people who are weak and unable to deal with grief and depression on their own – but this is far from true. Every grieving individual, regardless of age or experience, can benefits from at least one session with a grief counselor. Often we forget how comforting it can feel to share and work through the difficult feelings we’re forced to keep bottled up.

It’s not uncommon to feel as though something this personal should not be shared with a stranger. It’s even more common to feel closed, withdrawn and uninterested in expressing such deep pain aloud. You may feel embarrassed that you cannot contain your emotions, or silly for still feeling the effects of grief years after your loss. All of these feelings are quite ordinary, and a professional will provide you with a comfortable and safe space where you can talk freely without fear of your sentiments being shared with anyone else.

If you’re living in the Atlanta area and dealing with grief, consider seeking out an experienced grief counseling Atlanta professional. Grief counseling Atlanta specialist Dr. Jefree Gars offers is one of the best in the field, and he focuses on offering the sort of unique and specialized care you need most. Instead of waking up each day and attempting to go through the pain alone, reach out to someone who can help you navigate the way back to your life.   

*The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only. Never substitute, disregard, or delay seeking professional medical advice and assistance for any health or mental issue(s) you have or are concerned about because of something you have read.