A steady, compassionate way forward—without rushing your grief

Grief can feel like it rewrites your whole world: your routines, your relationships, your energy, and even your sense of identity. For some people it’s the death of a loved one; for others it’s a divorce, infertility, a faith transition, a move away from family, or the complicated mix of emotions that can come with adoption decisions and placement. Whatever the loss, grief deserves care—not judgment.

At S&S Counseling, we offer grief counseling in St. George that is warm, evidence-based, and respectful of your values (including faith-based values if that’s important to you). The goal isn’t to “get over it.” It’s to help you carry your loss in a way that makes room for life again.

Grief isn’t a straight line: common patterns that are still “normal”

Many people worry they’re grieving “wrong.” In reality, grief often comes in waves. You might feel functional one day and emotionally flattened the next. Some people cry often; others feel numb, restless, or unusually irritable. Sleep and appetite can shift. Concentration can be hard. Meaningful dates—holidays, anniversaries, birthdays—can bring a fresh surge even when you thought you were doing better.

There’s also no single timeline. Early grief can be intense and disorienting. Over time, many people begin to experience more moments of steadiness—without forgetting the person or the life they loved.

When grief starts to feel “stuck”: understanding Prolonged Grief Disorder

Sometimes grief stays so intense and impairing that it begins to look less like a painful season and more like a condition that needs focused treatment. In clinical settings, this can be called Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD).

PGD was added to the DSM-5-TR in 2022. One key feature is that the loss occurred at least 12 months ago for adults (and at least 6 months ago for children/adolescents) and the person experiences persistent, disabling grief symptoms such as intense yearning or preoccupation, plus additional symptoms (like difficulty reintegrating into life, emotional numbness, or feeling life is meaningless), causing significant impairment. (jamanetwork.com)

Having PGD does not mean you didn’t love “the right way,” or that your faith is weak, or that you’re broken. It means your nervous system and your attachment system are still trying to make sense of a loss that feels unbearable—and you deserve support that’s built for that reality.

Experience
Often seen in “typical” grief
May suggest it’s time for extra support
Intensity
Strong waves that gradually soften
High intensity persists and disrupts daily life for months
Functioning
Hard days, but some ability to engage with work/family
Ongoing inability to re-engage with life, relationships, or responsibilities
Thoughts about the person/loss
Frequent memories and longing
Preoccupation/longing is constant and feels consuming
Healing process
Gradual accommodation to the new reality
Feeling “frozen,” numb, or unable to accept the reality over time
Note: This table is educational and not a diagnosis. If you’re unsure, a clinician can help you sort out what you’re experiencing.

What grief counseling can help with (practically, week to week)

Grief counseling isn’t about forcing “closure.” It’s about creating a safe, steady place to process what happened and how it changed you. Depending on your needs, therapy may help you:

Make room for the full range of emotions (sadness, anger, relief, guilt, love, confusion) without shame.
Reduce overwhelm through coping skills for sleep, intrusive thoughts, and anxiety spikes.
Work with “stuck points” such as self-blame, unfinished conversations, or traumatic aspects of a loss.
Rebuild routines and identity after loss—especially when your roles changed (spouse, parent, caregiver, child).
Support relationships when family members grieve differently (which is common and often painful).
Integrate faith and values when grief has impacted your spiritual life, sense of meaning, or trust.

Some clients benefit from trauma-informed approaches when grief is linked with traumatic memories. If that fits your story, EMDR therapy may be one option your therapist discusses with you (based on fit and readiness).

Did you know? Quick facts that can reduce self-blame

Prolonged Grief Disorder has defined clinical criteria. For adults, DSM-5-TR requires symptoms persist at least 12 months after the death, with significant impairment. (jamanetwork.com)
ICD-11 and DSM-5-TR use different timelines. Some international criteria sets consider a 6-month minimum, while DSM-5-TR uses 12 months for adults—one reason grief assessment should be individualized. (hopkinsguides.com)
PGD is linked with quality-of-life impacts. Research finds prolonged grief symptoms are associated with lower quality of life, which is one reason targeted support can matter. (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
Anniversary reactions are a real thing. Many people notice a temporary rise in grief intensity around meaningful dates, even when they’ve been coping well. (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)

A simple “check-in” guide: when to consider grief counseling

Some people start therapy immediately after a loss because they want support through the shock. Others wait until they notice they’re not recovering their footing. Either can be healthy.

Consider scheduling grief counseling if you notice one or more of the following:

You feel persistently overwhelmed and it’s affecting work, parenting, or relationships.
You’re avoiding reminders so strongly that life is shrinking (places, music, conversations, photos).
Sleep is significantly disrupted for weeks and you feel like you can’t “come down.”
You feel stuck in guilt, anger, or self-blame that won’t loosen.
Your grief is tied to trauma (sudden loss, medical crisis, accident, violence).
You’re experiencing thoughts of self-harm, hopelessness, or you’re using substances to numb out.

If you’re in immediate danger or at risk of harming yourself, call 911 or contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for immediate support.

Local angle: grief support in St. George and Southern Utah

Living in St. George can be a gift—strong community ties, family-centered culture, and faith communities that often show up when life is hard. It can also make grief feel more exposed: people may know your story, offer advice that doesn’t fit, or expect you to “be okay” sooner than you are.

Grief counseling can give you a private, non-judgmental space to be honest. At S&S Counseling, we serve the St. George area and surrounding communities. If you’re looking for broader support, you can also explore our full range of inclusive counseling services, including therapy for teens, couples, and families—because grief often touches the whole system, not just one person.

Ready for support that honors your story?

If grief has been heavy—whether your loss is recent or years behind you—talking with a counselor can help you breathe again and find steadier ground. We’ll meet you with compassion, professionalism, and respect for your values.

FAQ: Grief Counseling in St. George

How do I know if I “need” grief counseling?
If grief is disrupting your functioning, relationships, sleep, or sense of meaning—or if you feel stuck—counseling can help. Many people also come simply because they want a steady place to process a major loss with support.
Is it normal to feel worse around anniversaries or holidays?
Yes. “Anniversary reactions” are common—grief can spike around meaningful dates. A therapist can help you plan coping strategies and rituals that feel supportive. (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
What is Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD)?
PGD is a clinical condition recognized in DSM-5-TR (2022) when grief remains intense and disabling over time (for adults, at least 12 months after the death), with specific symptoms and significant impairment. (jamanetwork.com)
Can grief counseling respect my faith and values?
Yes. Many clients in Southern Utah want counseling that honors faith, family, and personal values. You can share what matters to you, and therapy can be tailored to fit your beliefs while still using evidence-based tools.
Do you offer counseling for teens or children who are grieving?
Yes. Grief can show up differently in kids and teens (irritability, withdrawal, behavior changes, school issues). Explore teen counseling or child play therapy to find a developmentally appropriate approach.

Glossary

Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD)
A diagnosable condition in DSM-5-TR (2022) characterized by persistent, impairing grief symptoms (for adults, at least 12 months after the death) that go beyond expected cultural or religious norms for the person. (jamanetwork.com)
Anniversary reaction
A temporary increase in grief intensity around significant dates (anniversaries, holidays, birthdays), even after a person has been coping more steadily. (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
DSM-5-TR
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision. It outlines diagnostic criteria used by many mental health professionals in the U.S., including criteria for Prolonged Grief Disorder. (jamanetwork.com)

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