Understanding Grief: How It Looks, What We Grieve, and How Counseling Can Help

Grief is a natural human response to loss, but it doesn’t always look the way we expect. It can be raw and visible, or quiet and internal. While many people associate grief with the death of a loved one, we can grieve over many different kinds of losses—each one deeply personal and valid.

At Sunrise Counseling in Dallas, we believe that understanding what grief looks like, why it happens, and how to work through it can help you take steps toward healing.

What Does Grief Look Like?

Grief isn’t one-size-fits-all. It can appear in many emotional, physical, and behavioral ways, such as:

  • Emotional signs – sadness, guilt, anger, numbness, anxiety, or even relief.

  • Physical signs – fatigue, changes in sleep, headaches, appetite changes, or a heavy feeling in the chest.

  • Behavioral changes – withdrawing from others, avoiding reminders, or feeling restless and unable to focus.

  • Cognitive effects – forgetfulness, difficulty concentrating, or feeling disoriented.

Some people cry openly, while others appear calm but struggle internally. Grief can be loud or silent—it’s still grief either way.

Types of Loss We May Grieve

While grief is often linked to death, it can arise from many other experiences, including:

  • Loss of a loved one – through death or estrangement.

  • Relationship breakups or divorce.

  • Loss of health – either your own or a loved one’s.

  • Career or job loss.

  • Miscarriage, stillbirth, or infertility struggles.

  • Major life changes – such as moving, retiring, or children leaving home.

  • Loss of identity or independence – such as after injury, illness, or life transitions.

Each loss matters, even if others don’t fully understand it.

Things That Can Help With Grief

Grief is a journey, and while it doesn’t have a set timeline, there are ways to care for yourself along the way:

  1. Give yourself permission to feel – there is no “right” way to grieve.

  2. Stay connected – talk to friends, family, or support groups.

  3. Create rituals of remembrance – such as lighting a candle, writing letters, or keeping a memory box.

  4. Take care of your body – gentle exercise, regular meals, and rest can help your emotional health.

  5. Seek professional support – grief counseling can offer guidance and understanding.

What Grief Counseling Looks Like at Sunrise Counseling in Dallas

Grief counseling is a safe space to process your emotions without judgment. At Sunrise Counseling, we tailor sessions to meet your needs, which may include:

  • Sharing your story and honoring the significance of your loss.

  • Identifying and understanding your emotions to make sense of your grief.

  • Learning coping strategies for overwhelming moments.

  • Finding meaning after loss and exploring ways to move forward while still honoring your loved one or what you’ve lost.

  • Addressing complicated grief that feels stuck or unresolved.

Our therapists use compassionate, evidence-based approaches to help you feel supported at every stage of your healing process.

How Grief Counseling Can Help You Heal

Grief counseling doesn’t erase the loss—it helps you carry it differently. With the support of a trained therapist, you can:

  • Reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness.

  • Gain tools to navigate emotional triggers.

  • Find healthy ways to remember and honor what you’ve lost.

  • Feel more grounded and resilient in daily life.

You deserve to heal at your own pace, in a space where your grief is understood.

You Don’t Have to Grieve Alone

If you’re in Dallas, TX and are navigating grief, Sunrise Counseling is here to walk with you through this journey. Whether your loss is recent or years in the past, healing is possible.

Call Sunrise Counseling today to schedule your first appointment and take the first step toward hope and renewal.

1.    Contact Sunrise Counseling 

2.    Meet with one of our caring therapists

Mental Health Services at Sunrise Counseling in Dallas, TX 

Sunrise Counseling offers a variety of mental health services in our Dallas TX-based therapy office and offers telehealth therapy to those residing in Texas and Colorado. Mental health services we provide at Sunrise Counseling include:

Gayla Sahl