Module 3: Loss of a Loved One

A disaster is traumatic on its own, and losing a loved one makes everything feel even heavier. When you’re grieving a friend or family member, dealing with logistics or insurance is often the last thing you can manage—and that’s okay. This is a time to reach out for support so you don’t have to carry any of this alone.

One of our clients, Michelle, lost her mother in a home fire. In the first weeks that we worked together, the only emotion she could access was guilt. She struggled with the fact that she couldn’t find her mother in the home and that the smoke and heat forced her to run outside to save her own life. The months that followed were filled with intense emotional waves—anger, blame, negative thoughts, and periods of emotional numbness. All of this was a normal response to an unbearable loss.

If you’ve lost a loved one, we are so sorry. This kind of grief deserves care and compassion, and getting support from a therapist can make a real difference. You don’t have to hold this alone—help is available, and you deserve it.