The Transformative Work of Grief
By: Beth S. Patterson, MA
Click here to contact Beth and/or see her GoodTherapy.org Profile
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Helen Keller has said that “the only way to get to the other side is to go through the door.” This is particularly true in the work of grief, both the small losses inherent in day-to-day life transitions, and larger losses like the death of a loved one.
I use a strength and health based approach in working with my clients, believing that the pain of loss and transitions is not pathological, but normal and healthy. In particular, I come to each session with my clients with the ground that each human being possesses inherent wisdom, and that this wisdom can be called upon to access the individual’s strengths and resilience in times of suffering. It is my job as a collaborator or partner in the journey of grief and loss to support my clients in getting in touch with the strengths that they possess but which may be obscured by the intensity of their feelings of helplessness and loss. With my guidance as a partner, my clients are able to create some space around that intensity, which in turn gives them some perspective and hope for change and transformation.
Paradoxically, allowing ourselves to deeply feel our pain can open us to acceptance and peace. Through allowing ourselves to experience and express our suffering, we can see that suffering is common to all, and that understanding helps us find a meaningful way to grow, transforming hopelessness into hope and possibility. Through experiencing our own unique grief, we can tap into its universality, lessening our hopelessness and isolation, and deepening our connection with others and the human condition. This is the transpersonal and transformative work of healing grief.
As a hospice-trained therapist specializing in grief, loss and transitions, I can help you navigate life’s difficult transitions and transform them into healing and growth. Call me at 303-817-8571 or e-mail me at bethpatt@mac.com.
©Copyright 2008 by Beth S. Patterson. All Rights Reserved. Permission to publish granted to GoodTherapy.org. The following article was solely written and edited by the author named above. The views and opinions expressed are not necessarily shared by GoodTherapy.org. Questions or concerns about the following article can be directed to the author or posted as a comment to this blog entry.
Click here to contact Beth and/or see her GoodTherapy.org Profile