Grief
Grief is experienced after a significant loss, commonly after the death of a loved one, different from bereavement and mourning.
What Is Grief?
The difference is seen as not all bereavements result in a strong grief response, and not all grief is expressed publicly.
Grief typically involves separation anxiety, yearning, distress, dwelling and more about the past, and apprehension about the future. Intense grief can be dangerous; it can impact the immune system, cause self-neglect and trigger suicidal thoughts. Grief can also present itself as regret, remorse or sorrow.
Types Of Grief
Grief can be experienced in numerous ways; it can vary in complexity and presentation.
Some of these types include:
1. Abbreviated Grief
- Short-lived, as it is resolved quickly or replaced by something else, such as new roles and relationships.
- Example: After the loss of a job, Jack grieved briefly but was instantly offered a new role that excited him and filled the void, ending the grief process quickly.
2. Inhibited Grief
- Suppressed grief or grief that is not outwardly expressed. They may deny or avoid feelings, which can cause physical or psychological symptoms to arise over time.
- Example: Anna never spoke about her father’s passing and instead immersed herself in work. Months later, she developed insomnia and chronic migraines with no medical cause.
3. Anticipatory Grief
- This is a form of grief that is experienced before the loss occurs, often as a response to expected death or terminal illness
- Example: Sean’s mother was diagnosed with terminal cancer, and he was grieving before she passed due to the limited future together.
4. Delayed Grief
- Grief that is postponed or is not experienced immediately after the loss. It may take weeks, months or even years to emerge and is often triggered by a new event.
- Example: after his grandmother’s funeral, John felt numb and was not able to cry. Years later, he broke down while watching a movie about grandparents.
5. Collective Grief
- A form of grief that is shared by a group of people, often seen as a response to a public tragedy or loss.
- Example: A nation grieves over the unexpected death of its leader, holding memorials across the country.
6. Cumulative Grief
- Grief that is a result of multiple losses that pile over time without time to process or recover from each, causing an emotional overload.
- Example: over 6 months, Clara lost her grandma, dog and job. She struggled to cope as with every loss came the reigniting of the pain of the last loss.
Reactions To Grief
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When To Seek Help?
Grief is a natural response; however, professional support may be necessary when it interferes with daily life or becomes complicated.
Signs to consider include:
- Intense sadness/emotional pain for months
- Feelings of stuckness, numbness or disconnect
- Impacted daily functioning
- Complete avoidance of reminders of the loss
- Thoughts of self-harm or suicide
- Experiencing multiple losses in a short time
Early intervention can prevent prolonged distress and support healing. We can offer tools, validation, and space to grieve in healthy ways.
What Is Grief Therapy?
Grief Therapy is a treatment used to help you work through a greater-than-normal reaction to loss. This reaction can include physical or behavioural problems, extreme mourning and struggling to separate emotionally from the individual that passed. This therapy can be done as an individual or in a group setting.
How Can Us Help You?
Experienced Therapists
Our processes and quality assurance is led by Dr.Emma Waddington, a UK-trained senior clinician psychologist and Founder of Us Therapy, with over 20+ years of experience in helping individuals in Singapore.
Holistic & Personalised Approach
Our clinicians draw from various therapeutic models to create a holistic approach. At Us, we have seen hundreds of clients and we recognise that each individual is unique. Our approach is tailored to you but always includes customised treatment plans and integrative techniques.
Thorough Assessment
At Us, we pride ourselves on our comprehensive assessment processes. We will undergo a thorough assessment process with you in your first sessions before we come up with a plan for your therapy.
Our Therapists
Therapy Approaches
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
CBT can help by challenging unhelpful thoughts like self-blame and guilt, and teach you coping skills to manage emotions related to the loss experienced.
Acceptance And Commitment Therapy (ACT)
ACT can support grief by encouraging you to accept painful emotions, while encouraging you to commit to living a meaningful life based on your values.
Traumatic Grief Therapy
Traumatic Grief Therapy addresses grief by processing the trauma and ensuring a safe and gradual mourning.
Expressive Arts Therapy (EXA)
Art Therapy creates a space for the expression of grief through art styles, which can be especially helpful for those who struggle to communicate their feelings. This form of therapy is mostly used for children; however, it can also be used for adults.
Play Therapy
Play therapy is primarily used for children to help them with processing their loss symbolically, with the help of toys and games, to make it easier for them to express their grief in an age-appropriate manner
What To Expect
Initial Consultation – A Space to Be Heard
The first session is all about getting to know you. It is a conversation—one where you can share what is been on your mind, what has been feeling difficult, and what you would like support with. Your therapist will ask questions about your background, experiences, and goals, but there is no pressure to answer any questions—just a safe space to begin.
Questionnaires & Onboarding Surveys – Understanding the Full Picture
To help tailor therapy to your needs, you may be asked to fill out some brief questionnaires before or after your first session. These can give insight into things like mood, stress levels, relationship patterns, or coping strategies. They are not tests—just tools to help your therapist understand how best to support you.
Individual Therapy Sessions – Your Journey at Your Own Pace
Each session is a step forward in your journey. Therapy is not just about talking—it is about discovering new ways to navigate life’s challenges, make sense of emotions, and feel like you are getting the most out of your life. Depending on your needs, sessions may focus on:
- Exploring patterns of thought and behavior
- Understanding past experiences and their impact on the present
- Developing practical coping tools
- Strengthening emotional resilience
Feedback Sessions – Reflecting and Adjusting
After the first few sessions (or after assessments), a feedback session provides space to reflect on how therapy is going. This is a chance to talk about what has been helpful, what you would like more of, and how therapy can continue to best serve you.
Intervention – The Heart of Therapy
Intervention is where meaningful change happens. Every therapy journey is unique, and the approach will be shaped around what works best for you. Some common approaches include:
🌱 Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – Helping to identify and shift unhelpful thought patterns, reduce anxiety, and develop healthier ways to cope and new patterns of behaviour.
🧠 Schema Therapy – Deep, transformational work to uncover long-standing patterns that might be keeping you stuck, often rooted in early life experiences.
💙 Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) – Learning to handle difficult emotions with self-compassion and move towards what truly matters in life.
🌊 Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) – A powerful approach for healing trauma and distressing memories, helping the brain reprocess them in a way that feels less overwhelming.
🧘 Mindfulness-Based Approaches – Building self-awareness, grounding techniques, and ways to manage stress and emotions with greater ease.
Fees
Individual Counselling Rates
Clinician type
Fees and Duration
Clinic Founder
$310
Principal Psychologist
$290
Senior Clinical Psychologist
$262
Educational Psychologist
$262
Clinical Psychologist
$236
Counsellor
$170
Expressive Arts Therapist
$170
Associate Psychologist
$130
Phone calls / Emails
Clinicians rate pro-rata (10 Mins)
FAQs About Grief
What is the best way to deal with grief?
There is no one answer to this question. Some healthy ways to deal with grief include:
- Talk to someone; this can be friends, family or a professional
- Establish and maintain routines, which can include meal times, sleep and exercise
- Creative work, such as art, music and journaling
- Avoid suppressing your emotions; allow yourself the time and space to feel
- Time, give yourself time, healing isn’t a linear process
What is the full meaning of grief?
Grief is experienced after a significant loss, commonly after the death of a loved one, different from bereavement and mourning.
What are the 7 stages of grief?
The seven stages of grief are:
- Shock and denial
- Pain and guilt
- Anger and bargaining
- Depression
- The upward turn
- Reconstruction and working through
- Acceptance and hope