The 5 Stages of Grief

The 5 Stages of Grief evolved from the work of Elisabeth Kubler-Ross In her book "On Death and Dying" in 1969. Specifically, her work focused on what happens should you discover that you have a terminal illness.

Several emotional states were characteristic of this devastating news: 1.) denial, 2.) anger, 3.) bargaining, 4.) depression, 5.) acceptance.

Originally termed as "The 5 Stages of Receiving Catastrophic News" health care professionals, clergy, students, and others over the course of almost 30 years reduced the concept to 5 simple, generalized, linear stages of grief.

It is problematic to reduce the process of grieving to 5 steps, which don't even necessarily happen in sequential order.

Imagine being told by someone that it is not o.k. to be angry because you haven't gone though denial yet!

The pain of the loss is likely to worsen when there is a lack of social support and understanding.

LEARN

As you begin to put the pieces of your life back together again, you will:

L = To accept the reality of the Loss
E = Experience the pain
A = Adjust to the new environment
R = Reinvest in the new reality
N = Navigate further without limiting beliefs

These stages of grief more than likely will not happen in sequential order, and that's o.k.. It's more helpful to you to accept and understand where you ARE in the grieving process rather than think there's a particular place in it that you "should" be.

Dealing With Grief

The essence of counseling an individual who is grieving is to bear witness to the depth of loss. Bereaved persons need unconditional acceptance as they journey through the many phases of their grief not limited to denial,anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance.

Grief Counseling can help you

• Identify the stages of the grieving process

• Develop and nurture feelings of hope

• Relieve feelings of guilt

• Change thought patterns dominated by loss

• Improve concentration

• Reduce tearful spells

• Clarify the future