I am wondering close to the same thing. Is grief counseling right for me. I like going to Yoga class, and I find it more useful than grief counseling.

I'm at a year and 10 months and I am still on the roller coaster. I thought I was fine today, then depression set in this afternoon and I have been crying. I have been attending GriefShare and it has helped me a lot. Haven't had individual counseling, but maybe should have some. Still working through some anger issues not completely having to do with loss of Joe, but rather due to my being alone with no loving partner to share my thoughts with. My sister blows hot and cold, sometimes is wonderful, sometimes "cold". I have no other siblings. To answer your question, however, I believe counseling is wonderful, but you have to find the RIGHT one for you. It's OK to try one and if you don't feel comfortable, try another one. Especially since you have done reached the one year mark, it may be extra helpful to you through the holidays. Good luck.

Correction: "....since you have not reached the one year mark....."
Sorry.

I am at 10 months and I am also wondering the same thing. I like my counselor, and I am also in a group with 2 other widows with this same counselor. I am not sure I need the one on one much longer, like you I think I will stay through the holidays. The group is ok, but I can tell I am the chatty one (no surprise there LOL) I was also going to drop that, but the other 2 women really want me to stay, so I think I will do that one for a bit longer.

I don't think there's a right or wrong answer. Some people have strong support systems, and others do not. I think we all need someone to talk to no matter where we are on the road to healing. I think that counseling is especially important for people who have no one that understands, and for people who have complicated grief....but just like everything that we face...there is no one size fits all. I would go with my heart and my gut.... You will know when it is time to stop going because that will be the only right answer. If you are used to accepting all of your thoughts and feelings as normal you will allow this thought when it is time too.
lots of hugs..
-Diana

I started with my counselor 2 weeks after my husband passed. Was also put on anti-depressants. My husband has now been gone 2-1/2 years. This past spring I felt so good that I parted ways with the counselor, and asked to be weaned off the meds. By mid-June I was on a downhill spiral, severe depression took over me, and I ended up in the hospital for 10 days. Nothing that I want to repeat again.

Now? I intend to stay on the meds and see my counselor, even if it is the rest of my life. I also write things down that I worry about, that bring me anxiety or fear, and review them when I have my counseling session.

I figure the only way to recover is to face the fear and allow the chips to fall where they may. Instead of shoving off these things because I'm scared, I need to be peeled apart like an onion so I may recover.

Blessings to you.

It's different for everybody. I think I saw mine on a regular basis for about 8 months. I knew, however, that if I needed to see her again, I could do so on short notice. I think it depends on your arrangements with your counselor.

I should tell you that the holidays and then the one-year anniversary may overwhelm you. You may want to plan ahead for check-in visits - perhaps spaced 6 weeks apart instead of monthly. That way, you will have the comfort of knowing that if things get really intense for you that you already have an appointment lined up.

There are more 'firsts' than those that come in the first year, too. For instance, I had to buy a car without Cliff solo - that was a first that came 2 years after the fact. So there may be odd things that pop up that may cause you to have intense grief again. If you can maintain an ongoing relationship with a counselor you feel comfortable with, without having to see them every month (and pay the fee!), it might be a kind of mental health insurance for you.

Just my two cents... hope it helps... Love and Hugs, Martha