A steady, compassionate place to bring the feelings that don’t fit anywhere else

Grief can be quiet or overwhelming. It can show up as tears, irritability, numbness, brain fog, or a body that feels constantly “on edge.” For many people in Cedar City, grief is carried alongside work, parenting, school, church/community life, and daily responsibilities—often with the pressure to “be strong.” Grief counseling offers a protected space to tell the truth about what you’ve lost, how it’s affecting you now, and what kind of support would actually help.

At S&S Counseling, grief counseling is grounded in evidence-based care and a deep respect for your values, relationships, and pace. Whether your loss is recent or years in the past, healing is possible—without forcing you to “move on” or forget.

What grief can look like (it’s not “just sadness”)

Many people expect grief to be mainly emotional. But grief often affects your body, thinking, relationships, and spiritual life too. Some common experiences include:

• Difficulty sleeping or staying asleep
• Changes in appetite or energy
• “Foggy” concentration, forgetfulness, or feeling scattered
• Anxiety spikes, panic sensations, or a constant sense of vulnerability
• Anger, guilt, or replaying “what if” thoughts
• Numbness or feeling disconnected from others
• Shifts in faith, identity, or meaning
Grief can follow a death, but it can also follow divorce, infertility, miscarriage, estrangement, adoption-related transitions, moving, job loss, or health changes. If it feels like a loss, your nervous system may treat it like one.

When grief becomes “stuck”: understanding prolonged grief

Most grief is painful, but it also changes over time—often in waves. Sometimes, though, grief stays intensely disruptive and can feel like you’re unable to re-enter life. Clinicians sometimes assess for Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD), a diagnosis recognized in the DSM-5-TR (2022). In adults, PGD requires that the loss occurred at least 12 months ago (and at least 6 months ago for children/adolescents), along with persistent yearning or preoccupation plus additional symptoms that significantly impair life. (jamanetwork.com)

This isn’t about labeling normal grief as an illness. It’s about recognizing when grief has become so heavy and persistent that it deserves specialized support—the same way a lingering injury deserves care rather than “walking it off.”

Grief vs. depression: why the difference matters

Grief and depression can overlap—sleep disruption, low energy, tearfulness, and withdrawal can appear in both. But they aren’t always the same. Research suggests depression is more likely to involve pervasive hopelessness/helplessness and a sense that the pain is endless, while grief is often experienced as a response to a specific loss (even when it’s intense). (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)

In counseling, sorting this out can be relieving. If depression or trauma symptoms are also present, treatment may include additional tools (and sometimes coordination with medical care).

What happens in grief counseling?

Grief counseling isn’t about forgetting someone, minimizing your love, or “getting over it.” Evidence-based grief therapy often supports two needs at the same time: facing the reality of the loss and rebuilding life around it. Some structured approaches (including complicated grief therapy models) intentionally include both acceptance/processing and restorative steps. (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)

Depending on your situation, sessions may include:

• Making room for your story (your relationship, what happened, what changed)
• Gentle work with painful triggers (places, songs, dates, holidays)
• Skills for anxiety, sleep, and nervous-system overwhelm
• Addressing guilt, anger, or unanswered questions
• Exploring meaning, identity, and faith-based values in a respectful way
• Supporting communication in the family when everyone grieves differently

Practical steps that support grief healing (between sessions, too)

1) Name your wave (instead of arguing with it)

When a grief wave hits, try: “This is grief, not danger.” Then pick one small regulating action (water, a brief walk, a warm shower, stepping outside for air).

2) Create a “two-minute ritual” for tough moments

Light a candle, hold a meaningful item, read a short prayer/verse, or write one sentence beginning with “Today I miss…”. The goal is consistency, not perfection.

3) Plan for triggers before they happen

Anniversaries and important dates can intensify grief briefly. Consider a simple plan: who you’ll text, where you’ll go, what you’ll say “no” to, and what would feel supportive that day. (A plan reduces pressure.)

4) Use “good enough” social connection

Grief often isolates. You don’t have to attend every gathering. Try a smaller step: sit with someone for 15 minutes, take a drive together, or let a friend drop off dinner.

5) Watch for the signs you need extra support

If you feel unable to function for long periods, if you’re using substances to numb, or if you’re having thoughts of self-harm, reach out immediately for professional support and crisis resources.

Did you know?

• PGD became a formal diagnosis in DSM-5-TR (2022). (hopkinsguides.com)
• In adults, DSM-5-TR PGD requires symptoms to persist at least 12 months after the loss; for children/adolescents, at least 6 months. (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
• It’s common for grief intensity to spike around anniversaries and meaningful dates—this can be a normal “anniversary reaction.” (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)

Quick comparison (helpful for self-checking)

Experience Often seen in grief Often seen in depression
Focus of pain Loss-focused (missing the person/what was) Pervasive self/world hopelessness
Pattern Waves; can be triggered by reminders/dates More continuous day-to-day
Sense of “endlessness” Often, “This hurts because I loved” Often, “This will never get better”
Note: This table is educational and not a diagnosis. A licensed clinician can help clarify what’s going on and what support fits best. (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)

A Cedar City angle: grief support that fits real life in Iron County

In Cedar City, many people balance tight-knit community life with a strong sense of responsibility—showing up for family, neighbors, and faith communities even when they’re hurting. That can be a strength, and it can also make grief feel lonely if you’re the one “holding it together.”

Grief counseling can help you find language for what you’re carrying, set boundaries that protect your healing, and navigate the real-world moments that hit hardest—running errands in town, seeing familiar places, attending community events, or facing the first holiday season after a loss.

If your household is grieving together (or grieving differently), family-aware support can reduce conflict and help everyone feel less alone—without forcing anyone to share more than they’re ready to share.

Related services at S&S Counseling

Grief rarely stays in one “lane.” Depending on your needs, these pages may be helpful:

• Grief Counseling — learn what sessions can look like and what support options are available.
• EMDR Therapy — helpful when loss is tied to trauma, distressing images, or panic reactions.
• Teen Counseling — support for teens processing grief, change, or family stress.
• Child Play Therapy — when kids need a developmentally appropriate way to express big feelings.
• Couples Counseling — grief can strain connection; counseling can help couples grieve as a team.
• Adoption Counseling & Support — specialized counseling for adoption-related grief and transitions.
• Counseling Services Overview — explore all inclusive therapy options in Southern Utah.

Ready to talk with a counselor?

If you’re looking for grief counseling in Cedar City (or nearby Southern Utah communities), S&S Counseling offers supportive, non-judgmental therapy that honors your story and your values. You don’t have to carry this alone.
If you’re in immediate danger or considering self-harm, call 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or 911.

FAQ: Grief counseling in Cedar City

How do I know if what I’m feeling is “normal” grief?
Grief has a wide range. Many people notice waves of sadness, longing, anger, numbness, or anxiety—especially around reminders and anniversaries. If your symptoms feel unbearable, last much longer than expected, or significantly disrupt work, relationships, or daily functioning, it may be time to talk with a counselor for extra support. (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
Can grief counseling help if the loss happened years ago?
Yes. Some people function for years and then feel grief resurface after a move, a new baby, another loss, or a milestone. Counseling can help you process what wasn’t processed, reduce avoidance, and rebuild a sense of meaning and connection.
What if my grief includes trauma (like a sudden or distressing death)?
Sudden loss can include traumatic stress symptoms (intrusive images, panic, intense avoidance). Trauma-informed therapy approaches—sometimes including EMDR—may be helpful, depending on your assessment and goals. (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
Will my counselor respect my faith-based values?
A good counseling relationship makes room for what matters most to you—beliefs, family culture, and personal values—without judgment. If faith is part of your grief and meaning-making, it can be integrated in a respectful way.
Do kids and teens grieve differently than adults?
Often, yes. Kids may show grief through behavior changes, play themes, irritability, physical complaints, or shifts in school performance. Teens may withdraw, become more reactive, or feel “different” from peers. Child-centered play therapy or teen counseling can help in age-appropriate ways.

Glossary

Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD): A grief condition recognized in DSM-5-TR (2022) when intense grief symptoms persist and significantly impair functioning, typically requiring at least 12 months since the loss for adults (6 months for children/adolescents). (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
Anniversary reaction: A temporary increase in grief intensity around meaningful dates (anniversaries, birthdays, holidays, or the 12-month mark). (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
Complicated grief therapy (CGT): An evidence-based treatment approach designed to help people accept the reality of the loss while also adapting to life without the person who died. (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)

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