Teen Grief Counseling

Providing a Safe, Supportive Environment

It is critical for those who are struggling with grief to be provided with a safe place and supportive environment where they can get the help they need. A child should know that they are not alone and that their emotions are valid. This can help prevent them from turning to unhealthy coping mechanisms or struggling with mental health problems in the future. A safe and healthy environment can also help ensure that a teen doesn’t withdraw from the people in their life who are closest to them. 

At Mind Works, we help provide this environment by validating whatever feelings an individual may be experiencing. This could be sadness, anger, hopelessness, or even guilt. Rather than trying to force a child to progress through the grief process at a certain speed, they are encouraged to go at their own speed. While working with our clinicians, individuals can rest assured that they never have to worry about judgment. 

As part of our grief counseling at Mind Works, we provide a variety of evidence-based therapeutic support methods. This can range from cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and trauma-informed care. Children and teens also have the opportunity to participate in support groups through our program. Peer support is critical in helping them know they’re not alone and that they’re not the only ones going through this type of experience. 

We also understand that grief can affect the entire family. Whether it be the death of a parent, the loss of a grandparent, or another family member, the mental toll can be significant. Because of this, we strive to provide support not just to children but also to the entire family. We do this by working to promote better communication and understanding between family members. 

Building Resilience and Healthy Coping Skills

Knowing the right way to cope with difficult emotions can be challenging, no matter the age of the individual. Whether it be a young child, a high school student, or an adult, it is important to develop a sense of resilience. While experiencing grief, it is normal to feel anxious and overwhelmed. However, through grief support groups, young people can learn healthy coping skills to deal with these complicated feelings. 

These coping skills will benefit the child not only now, but in the future as well. Healthy coping skills can include techniques such as stress management. Stress management can consist of healthy activities that the individual can turn to when they’re feeling anxious. This may include exercise, mindfulness, or keeping up a regular routine. Another coping skill is knowing how to lean on one’s support system and reach out for help when struggling. 

It is also important for teens struggling with grief to learn how to identify how they may be feeling by naming the emotion. The emotions associated with grief can change day by day, but putting a name to them can help build a stronger sense of self-awareness. 

Facilitating Expressive and Processing Techniques

At Mind Works, children and teens are encouraged to be as expressive as possible with their emotions. This includes when they’re working one-on-one with a counselor or participating in a support group. Even though they might not fully understand how they’re feeling, sharing their emotions is important. This is to ensure they don’t end up bottling up their feelings or turning to unhealthy coping mechanisms. 

Even if a child isn’t comfortable expressing their emotions verbally, they can do so in a variety of different ways that can still be highly beneficial. Some examples of this could include art or music therapy, journaling, or play therapy. 

A variety of different therapeutic processing techniques can be helpful for someone going through a traumatic loss. This can include talk therapy like CBT or DBT. It could also include eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). 

Encouraging Self-Discovery and Personal Growth

Going through a deep personal loss can cause some teens to feel like a part of them has changed. They may feel that they are a different person than they were before and may struggle with a loss of identity. Through self-discovery and working with a mental health professional, they can come to rediscover their identity and begin to heal. At Mind Works, a teen can begin the necessary work to understand who they are now, what is most important to them, and where they want to go moving forward. 

Creative expression, support group meetings, self-reflection, and family therapy can all help with this process.