How to Process Grief with Elizabeth Hospice and Holistic Therapies in San Diego

Grief can feel overwhelming and isolating. On this page we outline clear, compassionate ways to move through loss, explain the bereavement support Elizabeth Hospice provides, and describe how complementary holistic therapies can help you heal. You’ll find practical information about what grief commonly feels like—emotionally and physically—along with therapeutic options and coping strategies offered by The Guides Holistic Therapies in San Diego that can support your journey.

What is grief and how does Elizabeth Hospice support the bereavement process?

Grief is a natural reaction to loss that shows up in many forms: deep sadness, anger, confusion, or even numbness. Elizabeth Hospice supports people through bereavement by offering compassionate, individualized care and resources. Their services are designed to honor each person’s unique experience so support feels relevant and practical during a difficult time.

Grief is both personal and universal — recent research helps explain why its expression varies so widely.

Understanding Grief: Psychological, Neuroscientific, and Cultural Perspectives This interdisciplinary review describes grief as a powerful emotional and bodily response to loss, especially the death of a close person. While grief is a shared human experience, how it unfolds differs across cultures and individuals. The article integrates psychological, neuroscientific and cultural perspectives to give a fuller picture of grief’s complexity. The science and experience of grief: Psychological, neuroscientific, and cultural perspectives, SA Burke, 2025

Common emotional and physical experiences of grief

People grieving often face a mix of emotions—sadness, anger, guilt, regret, or confusion—and these feelings can change from day to day. Grief also affects the body: you might feel tired, notice shifts in appetite, struggle with sleep, or carry tension and aches. Recognizing these reactions as normal can reduce shame and open the door to intentional healing.

How Elizabeth Hospice provides initial bereavement support

Elizabeth Hospice offers a range of initial bereavement supports to meet different needs, including individual counseling, peer support groups, and educational materials. These services are tailored so each person can get the level and type of support that fits their situation, helping to reduce isolation and build connection during early stages of grief.

How holistic therapies complement Elizabeth Hospice bereavement support

Holistic therapies add another layer of care by addressing mind, body, and spirit together. When paired with conventional bereavement services, practices like energy work, somatic techniques, and breath-centered therapies can deepen relaxation, help process emotions stored in the body, and support overall wellbeing.

How Reiki supports emotional regulation during grief

Reiki is an energy-based practice that many people find calming and centering during grief. Sessions can create space to release tightly held emotions and restore a sense of inner balance. Clients often report feeling more grounded and less overwhelmed after Reiki, which can make navigating intense feelings more manageable.

Benefits of sound therapy and breathwork for grief

Sound therapy and breathwork help people access emotion safely and release stress. Sound uses vibration to shift nervous system states, promoting relaxation and emotional openness. Breathwork teaches intentional breathing patterns that can calm anxiety and support emotional expression. Emerging studies suggest these methods can improve emotional wellbeing, though research is ongoing.

When to consider ongoing grief counseling in San Diego

It’s wise to consider ongoing counseling when grief feels persistent or begins to interfere with daily life. Continued support can provide tools to manage intense emotions, restore functioning, and help you find new balance after loss.

Signs you might benefit from continued holistic grief support

Look for signs such as prolonged deep sadness, difficulty caring for yourself or fulfilling daily responsibilities, ongoing physical symptoms tied to grief, or a sense that emotions are overwhelming. If grief prevents you from returning to routine or connecting with others, professional support can help you move forward safely.

Knowing core outcomes for bereavement support can guide decisions about when and what kind of help is needed.

Coping with Grief: Core Outcomes for Bereavement Support This work identifies key outcomes—like the ability to cope with grief and quality of life/mental wellbeing—and outlines dimensions to assess them. Important areas include recognizing when grief is negative and overwhelming, staying connected to others, finding meaning, balancing grief with everyday life, and accessing appropriate supports. Coping and wellbeing in bereavement: two core outcomes for evaluating bereavement support in palliative care, S Sivell, 2020

How personalized grief counseling addresses losses beyond hospice care

Grief counseling is not limited to end-of-life loss. Personalized counseling recognizes the distinct shape of every loss—whether from death, divorce, job loss, or other life changes—and creates a tailored plan to help you process emotions, rebuild routines, and find meaning in your experience.

Coping strategies and resources available through The Guides Holistic Therapies

The Guides Holistic Therapies offers workshops, support groups, and individual sessions that blend evidence-informed and holistic approaches. These options give you room to explore what resonates—group connection, hands-on practices, or one-on-one work—so you can find supportive pathways that fit your needs. Learn more on our services page.

How hypnotherapy and NLP can support grief recovery

Hypnotherapy can help you access deeper layers of memory and feeling to process grief in a contained, guided way. Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) offers tools to reframe unhelpful thought patterns and strengthen coping responses. Both modalities can reinforce your sense of agency and support emotional integration when used by experienced practitioners.

Local and virtual grief support services offered by The Guides in San Diego

We provide flexible grief support with both in-person appointments and virtual options. Services include individual counseling, online groups, and workshops you can join from home—making it easier to get consistent support that fits your schedule and comfort level.

How caregivers and families benefit from complementary grief support after hospice care

Caregivers and family members often carry their own complex grief. Complementary support can offer practical coping tools, emotional processing, and guidance for adjusting to life after caregiving—helping reduce burnout and support long-term recovery.

Practical ways to support someone who is grieving

Offer presence more than advice: listen without judgment, provide small practical helps (meals, errands), and invite them to share memories when they’re ready. Validate their feelings and create a predictable, safe space where they can express grief on their own timeline.

How The Guides supports caregivers before and after hospice

The Guides provides specialized support for caregivers both during hospice and after loss. Our services balance emotional care with practical guidance—helping caregivers manage responsibilities, process anticipatory grief, and find restorative practices once caregiving ends.

Beginning your healing journey with The Guides Holistic Therapies in San Diego

Starting support can feel uncertain. We create a welcoming, nonjudgmental environment and work with you to build a personalized plan—so the first step is simply reaching out and deciding what level of care feels right.

What to expect in a personalized grief counseling session

A session typically begins with a gentle assessment of where you are and what you need. From there, we offer tailored strategies—talk therapy, somatic tools, or integrative modalities—chosen together so the approach fits your goals and pace. The work is collaborative and paced to your comfort.

How to schedule a consultation and access local or virtual support

Scheduling is simple: contact The Guides by phone or email to arrange an in-person or virtual consultation. We’ll help you choose the format and frequency that suit your life so you can begin receiving steady, compassionate support.