9 Signs It’s Time to Seek Grief Support

Grief has a way of carving itself into our bones, reshaping us from the inside out. It is both deeply personal and profoundly universal, a thread that connects us all in the great tapestry of human experience. Yet, within our modern world, grief is often misunderstood—pushed to the periphery, expected to be tidied up within a socially acceptable timeframe. We are encouraged to be strong, to move on, to return to life as if loss had not unraveled something essential within us.

But grief is not something to be fixed. It is something to be tended to, honored, and held with tenderness. There are times when the weight of grief feels insurmountable, when the path forward seems obscured by fog, when the ache does not lessen but instead deepens.

If you find yourself in such a place, it may be time to seek grief support—not because you are broken, but because you deserve a space where your sorrow can be fully seen and held with care.

1. Your Grief Feels Overwhelming and Unmanageable

Grief can feel like an ocean, with waves that crash unexpectedly, pulling and sucking you under. Some days, you may find yourself struggling to breathe beneath the weight of what you're carrying. While grief naturally ebbs and flows, if it begins to feel unmanageable—if daily tasks feel impossible, if the pain is so consuming that it hinders your ability to function—it may be a sign that professional support could offer you a life raft. A therapist trained in grief work can help you navigate these depths, offering tools to stay afloat without denying the depth of your loss.

2. You Feel Stuck in Your Grief

Grief is not a linear process, nor does it have a set timeline. However, there may come a time when you sense that you are not moving with grief but rather frozen within it. Perhaps you feel disconnected from yourself, unable to re-engage with life in a meaningful way. You may notice that emotions such as guilt, anger, or despair feel stagnant, looping endlessly without relief. Seeking support does not mean you are failing at grief; it means you are recognizing your need for guidance in finding a way forward.

3. Your Physical Health is Suffering

Grief does not reside only in the mind or heart; it takes up space in the body as well. You may notice changes in your appetite, disruptions in your sleep, chronic fatigue, headaches, digestive issues, or unexplained aches/pains. The body holds sorrow in ways that words cannot always express. If your physical health has been significantly impacted by grief, working with a professional can help you reconnect to your body’s needs, integrating somatic practices and gentle awareness to support your overall well-being.

4. You Are Experiencing Persistent Anxiety or Depression

It is natural to feel sadness after a loss, but when grief becomes entwined with anxiety or depression, it can feel like an inescapable shadow. If you are experiencing persistent feelings of hopelessness, numbness, excessive worry, panic attacks, or thoughts of self-harm, it is crucial to reach out for support. A grief therapist can offer a compassionate space to explore these emotions, helping you find ways to move through them with care and self-compassion.

5. You Feel Isolated in Your Grief

Even when surrounded by others, grief can be a profoundly lonely experience. You may feel as though no one truly understands the depth of your loss, or that your sorrow is too heavy to share. Well-meaning friends and family may offer words that unintentionally minimize your pain, leaving you feeling unseen. Seeking professional grief support provides a space where you can speak freely, without fear of judgment, and be met with deep listening and understanding. Grief is meant to be shared and witnessed.

6. You Are Struggling with Complicated or Traumatic Grief

Some losses shake the foundation of our being. If you have experienced a traumatic loss—such as the sudden death of a loved one, a loss that carries unresolved conflict, or a loss that triggers past traumas, or betrayal—you may find yourself caught in an unrelenting cycle of distress. Complicated grief can manifest as intrusive thoughts, avoidance, emotional numbness, or intense distress that does not ease with time. A grief therapist trained in trauma work can support you in untangling the layers of your sorrow with gentle care.

7. You Are Navigating a Major Life Transition While Grieving

Loss often comes hand in hand with change. Perhaps you are grieving while also navigating a move, a career shift, a divorce, or becoming a caregiver for another loved one. When multiple life stressors intersect, grief can feel even more destabilizing. Seeking support can offer you a steady anchor, helping you move through transitions with greater clarity and resilience.

8. You Long for a Sacred Space to Honour Your Grief

Grief is not merely an emotional process—it is a soul experience. There may be a longing within you to engage with your grief in a more meaningful way, to honor it through ritual, creativity, storytelling, or connection to nature. Professional grief support, especially with a therapist who understands the soulful dimensions of loss, can provide you with practices and perspectives that allow your grief to be witnessed as a sacred part of your journey.

9. Because YOU WANT TO

Most importantly, what YOU want matters. If you desire support, are curious if grief therapy can help you on your journey, then reach out to explore.

Seeking Support is a Radical Act of Love

Grief is not something to be conquered. It is a landscape to be traversed, a river that reshapes the land of your heart. Seeking support does not mean you are weak; it means you are courageous enough to acknowledge that grief deserves tending. It means you are honouring yourself and the depth of your love by allowing yourself to be held in your sorrow.

If you are feeling the call to seek support, know that you do not have to walk this path alone. There are spaces where your grief will be met with reverence, where you can unravel without fear, where your loss can be held in the hands of another with care and compassion.

You are worthy of that space. You are worthy of support. You are worthy of being held in your grief, just as you are.

Ready to take the next step?

>> Book an Exploratory Connection Call with one of our Grief Therapists.

>> Download Being with Grief, our f r e e workbook designed to help you redefine your relationship with loss. Inside, you'll find powerful somatic practices, meaningful rituals, and journaling prompts to support your journey.

About Us:

Weaving Grief specializes in compassionate grief therapy for individuals navigating loss of any kind - death, breakups, relationship transitions, chronic illness, loss of self, and more. By addressing these profound experiences, Weaving Grief empowers clients to grieve freely and live fully. Through somatic practices and meaningful reflection, we’re here to help you navigate these tender moments and rediscover the fullness of life.

Specific areas of focus: death of a loved one (recent or past), life changing transitions, relationship transitions and break ups, pregnancy loss, grief around family planning, chronic illness, loss of Self, and supporting entrepreneurs through the grief that comes with growth.

To learn more about Our Team or to book a session, click here.