When to Refer a Grieving Person to a Professional Counselor

It’s time to get a professional counselor involved when it looks like the person has: major depression, major anxiety, complicated grief,  and/or post traumatic stress.

These are some of the symptoms to look out for:

• Characteristics of mourning that do not appear to change at all over a period of months.
• Expression of suicidal intent.
• Inability to be by themselves at any time.
• Inability to care for self.
• Pattern of alcohol/drug abuse and/or dependence.
• Physical harm to self or others.
• Psychotic States.
• Severe depression.
• Uncontrollable phobias.
• Uncontrollable rage.

If you or someone you know is expereincing some of these symptoms, please call a counselor today. Help is available. You don’t have to struggle with the pain all alone. It can get better.

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