“Therapy Won’t Change What Happened”: Misconceptions That Keep People Away

When someone you love dies, no amount of talking can undo that loss. Many people feel that therapy won’t change anything—and technically, that’s true. It can’t reverse the past. But grief therapy isn’t about changing what happened. It’s about changing how you carry it.

“It Won’t Bring Them Back”—But It Might Bring You Back

If you’ve ever thought…

  • “Talking won’t make a difference.”
  • “I already know they’re gone.”
  • “Therapy is just wallowing.”

…you’re not wrong to feel that way. But therapy isn’t about forgetting. It’s about remembering in a way that heals, rather than harms.

Grief therapy can help you:

  • Stay connected to the person who died in meaningful ways.
  • Manage the emotional, relational, and physical toll of loss.
  • Move forward in life with your grief, not in spite of it.

If You’re Not Ready for Therapy, Try These Alternatives

  • Book: “The Wild Edge of Sorrow” by Francis Weller
  • Practice: Create a ritual to speak to your person each week
  • Activity: Volunteer for a cause in their memory

Therapy Doesn’t Erase Your Grief—It Supports You in Carrying It

You’re not broken. You’re grieving. And support isn’t about fixing that—it’s about helping you find ways to keep going while holding the truth of what you’ve lost.

    Want to learn more about what grief therapy actually looks like?

    alybird

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