Lyn Siegel MSW, MPH, LCSW is experienced in helping individuals with grief. She has worked with many individuals and families who lost loved ones in 9/11 and other tragic events, and with those who have lost loved ones and have more complicated and prolonged grief due to the significance of the relationship to the deceased or the circumstances surrounding the death. She also has experience in working with hospice patients and their families as a volunteer.

Her training and experience in Interfaith Ministry allows her to respect and work within the context of your own spiritual beliefs

Lyn may employ EMDR (a therapy approach which helps with disturbing or painful memories by reprocessing those memories so that they are less impactful) based on the client's needs and wishes.

 Loss of a loved one brings a period of grief and sorrow.  Grief is a necessary and natural response to a loss.  It is nature's way of healing. Grief often brings an intense pain that seems unbearable. There may be shock, numbness, and denial which all act as natural protection to help the grieving cushion themselves and more slowly absorb the reality of the loss of a loved one. 

Emotional and Mental Responses to Grief

Emotions may run all over the place, shifting constantly and could include: Anger, fear and anxiety, loneliness, emptiness and abandonment, guilt, helplessness, hopelessness, sadness, and depression.

Many people may need therapy to get through the grieving process. Often others move on but those closest to the deceased are unable to do so.  Their support system may diminish over time.  There is no "right" time frame for grieving. Both the time period and intensity of grief differ dramatically from person to person.

Individuals within families may grieve very differently and grow apart as a result.  They may be afraid to grieve because they may upset their partner.

A therapist who is well-trained to work with grief can be a support and help the grieving person or family to express and heal their grief.  Eventually they will be able to move through their grief.  Feel free to call me at 908-586-3254 or email me at lynsiegel@embarqmail.com.

 Physical Responses to Grief

Physical symptoms reported by bereaved individuals include fatigue, tightness in the chest or throat, bodily aches and pains, an increase or decrease in appetite, inability to sleep or oversleeping as well as many other body symptoms.

There are many books on grief that I recommend for my clients. See my grief book list