There isn’t one type of loss, one “type” of grief. Usually we think of the loss of a loved one or close friend, a relationship, a job, our health, or a beloved pet. For some time, this can be emotionally devastating. This is grief as a natural response to loss. But when feelings of grief become more and more isolating and debilitating, when you’re overwhelmed with thoughts of guilt, what you wish you’d done or not done, when you’re avoiding all reminders of your loss, or when you can’t avoid any more, when you’re overwhelmed and depressed, when you’re on an emotional roller coaster, when you’re not “getting on with it” as family, friends, or co-workers suggest and expect, it can be beneficial to talk with someone who doesn’t judge you, someone with whom you can express what’s bottled up inside–the blaming, the what-ifs, the anger, the despair, the hugely conflicting feelings, the hopelessness, the self-destructive thoughts and behaviors, the tidal waves that absolutely crush you.

As we age, we sometimes grieve the loss of our younger, smarter, healthier, interesting, more fit, achieving, productive, knowing, fun-loving, crazy, doing, in control, strong, steady, creative, sought after, respected, future-oriented, seen Selves.

There is grief over loss of identity–Boss, CEO, Senior Partner, Judge, Principle Investigator, Doctor, Nurse, Athlete, Professor, Student, Mother, Grandmother, Father, Brother, Artist….

And there is the felt-threat among some who suffer loss and who despair that we as a species are in final peril of extinction.