Bereavement is the period of grief and mourning after a death. When you grieve, it’s part of the normal process of reacting to a loss. How long bereavement lasts can depend on how close you were to the person who died, if the person’s death was expected and other factors. While friends, family and faith may be sources of support, sometimes a person needs additional support to recover or prevent further emotional turmoil. Grief counseling or grief therapy at St. Louis Behavioral Medicine Institute can provide the help you need. 

The impact of grief can appear in many forms. You may experience grief as a mental, physical, social or emotional reaction. Mental reactions can include anger, guilt, anxiety, sadness and despair. Physical reactions can include sleeping problems, changes in appetite, physical problems or illness. While you may not always notice these changes in your emotional or physical self, friends and loved ones can sometimes spot these changes and sense a problem. 

The multidisciplinary treatment teams at St. Louis Behavioral Medicine Institute can help you and your family overcome the loss you’ve experienced with a treatment plan tailored to meet your needs and goals. The team of psychologists, physicians, spiritual directors, social workers and other professionals collaborate with referring clinicians and organizations to best target your concerns and develop a plan to help you heal. 

For more information on this topic, please visit the National Institute of Health.