This week we have been walking you through the stages of Grief and Loss. The next stage is very difficult but very important.

Denial, anger, and bargaining have all come and gone and you are left with….sadness and depression.  This is the 4th stage in the grieving process and can be the hardest stage to move through. This is where the loss is truly felt and we acknowledge the pain of our loss. We remember, we cry, we hurt, and we cry some more. I explain this to my client’s as the “winter” of the grieving process. None of the stages are fun but this one seems to last a long time and is so difficult, much like the winter.

It is important when going through the sadness stage to get support from family and friends or a therapist if needed. If the pain and sadness of the loss are not felt and dealt with during this stage, severe depression can creep in and last even longer than the natural stage of sadness. Additionally, sadness that is not felt can often lead to addictions, problems in relationships, and many more problems. Many times when we see clients come in for one issue, such as an addiction or depression, it is tied to grief that was never felt or dealt with.

If you are in the sadness stage, keep feeling, get support, and don’t give up. Acceptance is the next stage!

Written by Natalie Chandler, MA, LMHC

*Natalie Chandler, MA, LMHC is a therapist at Imagine Hope Counseling Group. Natalie enjoys doing marriage counseling, individual counseling, and couples counseling.  We also specialize in family counseling, child, and adolescent counseling. Imagine Hope serves the Indianapolis area including the surrounding areas of Carmel, Fishers, Noblesville, Westfield, and Zionsville.