Why Anticipatory Grief Counseling Makes A Difference

Often, when people think of grief, they may think of the anguish experienced after a major loss, such as the death of a loved one, but grief can appear in the phases leading up to this loss as well. This type of grief is known as anticipatory grief. Anticipatory grief can manifest in several ways, such as fear, anxiety, sadness, shock, or confusion. To help you or a loved one navigate the challenges this type of experience brings, mental health professionals can offer a form of therapy called anticipatory grief counseling.

In this article, we will explore anticipatory grief, why anticipatory grief counseling is beneficial, and how online therapy can help you manage the challenges associated with grief. Grief, in any form, can feel intense and even overwhelming at times, but working with a licensed mental health professional can make it less daunting to navigate.

What is anticipatory grief?

Anticipatory grief is a type of mourning that occurs before a loss or event takes place. Conventional grief, on the other hand, often occurs after an event has already occurred. Anticipatory grief can be related to an impending divorce, a dying person, expected job loss, a foreseen decline in personal health, or another type of future loss. 

Anticipatory grief is a complex and multifaceted emotion, and it often includes difficult feelings around a range of concerns about an expected loss. These can include challenges related to loss of companionship, loss of plans or dreams, loss of financial stability, loss of lifestyle, loss of self-identity, and more. For family caregivers, a loved one may be nearing the end of life, which may cause overwhelming feelings. 

Anticipatory grief can be associated with a range of negative emotions and may make decision-making more difficult, particularly for family members watching a person pass away. A licensed mental health practitioner or social worker can assist not just individuals but also family members in identifying anticipatory grief symptoms and developing coping skills.

The role of anticipatory grief counseling 

Anticipatory grief counseling is often offered within palliative care settings or sought out when a loved one enters palliative care. It provides vital support and coping strategies to both patients and their family members as they navigate the emotional challenges and uncertainties surrounding end-of-life care within the health care system.

Different people may experience anticipatory grief in very different ways, and a licensed mental health counselor can help you identify the unique feelings you are experiencing and how they are affecting your thoughts and behavior patterns. In some cases, individuals may experience feelings of guilt associated, especially when the anticipated loss involves a prolonged or terminal illness. There is no right or wrong way to grieve, and anticipatory grief counseling can help you understand and work through your experiences related to an impending loss or loved one’s death. 

Anticipatory grief counseling can provide a supportive environment for you to express and process your emotions without feeling judged. In some cases, people may have trouble acknowledging their pain while caring for a loved one who is suffering. A key goal of anticipatory grief counseling is often to help you prepare for the impending loss, make the most of your time left before the change occurs, and begin to visualize life beyond the loss.

During anticipatory grief counseling, your therapist may use techniques that are designed to help you process and recognize negative feelings. One way this can be done is through cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). This type of talk therapy helps individuals recognize unhelpful thoughts and employ techniques to stay present, make sense of experiences, and gradually change thought and behavior patterns. If prolonged grief disorder is of concern, your therapist may employ additional techniques to help you work through related challenges.

How anticipatory grief counseling can make a difference 

Anticipatory grief counseling can assist a grieving person in navigating the complex emotions that accompany an impending loss, helping them to feel grief in a supported and healthy way. While the role anticipatory grief counseling plays may vary depending on the situation and the individual’s personal experiences, several ways anticipatory grief counseling may make a difference include:

• Creating a non-judgmental space. Individuals in anticipatory grief counseling can openly express and explore feelings with their mental health professional, which may not be possible in other social contexts in their lives.

• Normalizing experiences. In some cases, individuals may feel isolated in their experiences. Anticipatory grief counseling can help them define and understand emotional experiences and help them recognize that their feelings are part of the natural grieving process. This can help to reduce feelings of isolation or confusion.

• Equipping individuals with coping mechanisms. One positive attribute of anticipatory grief counseling is that it occurs before the impending loss. Because of this, mental health counselors can help individuals build a strategy for managing loss when it occurs. These tools can help manage the intensity of emotions throughout all stages of anticipatory grief.

• Preparing for the future. Often, the upcoming loss may lead to several changes in an individual’s life. Anticipatory grief counseling can help individuals envision their life after the loss, find meaning in new situations, and explore new roles within their day-to-day relationships. This process can contribute to healing and growth.

Finding support for anticipatory grief

Coping with anticipatory grief may be difficult to manage on your own, especially when facing the reality of an impending death of a family member. However, you may be able to find emotional support through various support groups, as specific groups can provide insights for different concerns like familial cancer or Alzheimer’s disease. 

If you’re experiencing severe symptoms of grief affecting your mental and physical health, you may want to seek an evaluation from a medical professional. A psychiatrist specializes in mental health challenges and can offer medication management to manage symptoms. In addition, a therapist can help you process your feelings of anticipatory loss, confront your own mortality, and find ways to focus on spending quality time with your loved one during this challenging period. These mental health services are often covered by health insurance plans. Affordable online therapy platforms may have specific pricing plans to help provide support. 

Online therapy for anticipatory grief

While seeking help can be beneficial, it may be difficult to make time for therapy and arrange another appointment in situations where you are grappling with an impending loss. Online therapy allows individuals to participate in therapy sessions from their homes, reducing the time and stress associated with traveling to and from appointments. This may be particularly appealing to those experiencing mourning or grief-related emotions, as travel may be more difficult during these periods. Online counseling also offers flexibility in scheduling, which can help individuals engage in sessions regularly, despite changing schedules and unforeseen circumstances.

A significant body of evidence has demonstrated the effectiveness of online therapy for a variety of concerns, including grief reactions. One research study examined the efficacy of an internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy program for people experiencing complicated grief. It found that participants in the online program improved significantly “on symptoms of intrusion, avoidance, maladaptive behavior, and general psychopathology,” and this improvement was maintained after three months.