What is Grief?: a natural response to loss, explained
Grief is a natural response to loss. It can follow the death of a loved one, the end of a relationship, or another meaningful change. Grief can affect emotions, thoughts, the body, and daily life in many different ways.
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What does the What is Grief? Mini Course cover?
Grief as a natural response to loss, why it feels so strong through the lens of attachment, how it affects body and mind, the so-called stages of grief, and how grief usually changes over time without a fixed timeline.
Who is this What is Grief? Mini Course for?
Helpful if you:
💔 Have lost someone or something important
😶 Feel numb, angry or disconnected and wonder if that is normal
🕰️ Want to understand what grief does over time
For therapists:
Assign this course early in bereavement or loss work to normalise the client's reactions. Their selected experiences and reflection give a gentle way into talking about the loss in session. Fully HIPAA and GDPR compliant.
Dr Harriet Mellotte
Clinical Psychologist & CBT Therapist, BABCP
“Offload is a fantastic resource for both clients and therapists. The world of CBT has been lacking an app which enables the sharing of CBT worksheets and homework tasks between clients and therapists, but Offload completely does this, making the service we offer more professional and the benefits to clients greater.”
Frequently asked questions
Is what I am feeling normal?
Almost certainly. Grief can bring sadness, anger, guilt, numbness, relief, exhaustion and moments of feeling fine, sometimes all in the same day. It affects the body as well as the mind. This course describes the wide range of normal grief reactions so you can make sense of your own.
Do the stages of grief happen in order?
No. The stages of grief are one way of describing common reactions, not a sequence everyone follows. Most people move back and forth between feelings rather than passing through fixed steps, and some never experience certain stages at all. The course explains the model and its limits.
How long does grief last?
There is no fixed timeline. For most people the intensity gradually eases and the waves become less frequent, but reminders can bring grief back years later, and that is normal. If grief stays constant and overwhelming for a long time, or you feel unable to function, a GP or therapist can help.
Can my therapist assign this course?
Yes. Therapists on Offload can assign this course early in bereavement work to normalise your reactions, and your reflections give a gentle way into talking about the loss in session. Your responses are available for them to review before your next appointment. Fully HIPAA and GDPR compliant.
Are you a therapist?
Assign this therapy tool and 200+ other interactive tools directly to your clients. Build personalised care plans, customise tools, and review client responses before sessions. HIPAA and GDPR compliant.
Explore Offload for therapistsReferences
Worden, J. W. (2009). Grief Counseling and Grief Therapy. Stroebe, M., & Schut, H. (1999). The Dual Process Model of Coping with Bereavement. Death Studies. Bonanno, G. A. (2009). The Other Side of Sadness.
