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    What Is Anticipatory Grief?

    June 20, 2025

    In many cases, grief occurs when someone has already suffered a loss. But grief can also result from a loss that is impending but hasn’t yet occurred. When this happens, it’s referred to as “anticipatory grief” or “preparatory grief.” Anticipatory grief commonly affects individuals who are expecting to lose someone or something important in the […]

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    What Is Anticipatory Grief?

    June 20, 2025

    In many cases, grief occurs when someone has already suffered a loss. But grief can also result from a loss that is impending but hasn’t yet occurred. When this happens, it’s referred to as “anticipatory grief” or “preparatory grief.”

    Anticipatory grief commonly affects individuals who are expecting to lose someone or something important in the near future. For example, you may experience anticipatory grief if:

    • You or a loved one were diagnosed with a terminal illness or a progressive condition (e.g., Alzheimer’s disease or multiple sclerosis).
    • You’ve been told that you’ll need to have surgery to remove a body part (e.g., an amputation or a mastectomy).
    • You’re experiencing marital problems that you expect will lead to a divorce.
    • You’ve been told that your unborn child has a congenital disorder.
    • Your adult child is about to move out of the family home.

    Like the other types of grief, anticipatory grief can lead to sadness, irritability, anger, anxiety, fear, guilt, and other intense emotions. However, it’s important to remember that anticipatory grief can also serve a beneficial purpose—it can motivate you to address unresolved issues and process your thoughts and feelings before the event in question occurs.

    Speak to a Therapist

    If you think you may be experiencing anticipatory grief, we invite you to schedule an appointment with one of the skilled therapists on our team who can provide you with the tools and tips you need to move forward with your life. Contact us today.

    Filed Under: Grief

    What Is Complicated Grief?

    June 20, 2025

    It’s normal to experience grief after a loss, such as the death of a friend or family member. In most cases, these emotions gradually improve over time. But if you’re still living with the symptoms of grief months or years later, you may have what’s known as “complicated grief,” “prolonged grief,” “chronic grief,” or “persistent […]

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    What Is Complicated Grief?

    June 20, 2025

    It’s normal to experience grief after a loss, such as the death of a friend or family member. In most cases, these emotions gradually improve over time. But if you’re still living with the symptoms of grief months or years later, you may have what’s known as “complicated grief,” “prolonged grief,” “chronic grief,” or “persistent complex bereavement disorder.”

    Many people with complicated grief report feeling “stuck” in life. They often find it difficult to get back into their normal routine, and they may have a hard time finding enjoyment in the activities they once loved.  There’s no definitive length of time that must have passed for grief to be considered complicated.

    Who Experiences Complicated Grief?

    Complicated grief can affect anyone. With that said, certain circumstances can make this type of grief more likely to occur. For example, you may have a higher chance of experiencing complicated grief if:

    • You had a close relationship with the individual who passed away (or conversely, if you had a difficult relationship with that person).
    • Your loved one passed unexpectedly or in an especially traumatic way.
    • You don’t have a strong support system.
    • You’re experiencing stress in other areas of your life.
    • You’ve previously experienced depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or separation anxiety.
    • You experienced trauma during childhood (e.g., abuse or neglect).

    Schedule a Therapy Appointment

    If you’re experiencing complicated grief—or any other type of grief—you can rely on our experienced therapists to help you heal from your loss. Contact us today, and one of our compassionate team members can answer your questions and arrange a time for you to attend an initial therapy appointment.

    Filed Under: Grief

    3 Reasons Why Men Should Try Therapy

    March 29, 2021

    Men have taken on a specific role in human development over the span of hundreds of thousands of years. While roles have very recently shifted somewhat, historically speaking, men have been the ones to fight the wars and build society. And if you think about it, it’s pretty hard to feel emotions, let alone process […]

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    3 Reasons Why Men Should Try Therapy

    March 29, 2021

    Men have taken on a specific role in human development over the span of hundreds of thousands of years. While roles have very recently shifted somewhat, historically speaking, men have been the ones to fight the wars and build society. And if you think about it, it’s pretty hard to feel emotions, let alone process them, while on bloody battlefields and balancing atop giant skyscrapers.

    You could say at this point in time, men have become hardwired to compartmentalize their feelings. They have them, just as much as women have feelings, they simply select to store them away and get to them later. For this reason, most men buck at the idea of going to therapy to communicate their feelings.

    The reality is, it is for the very reasons I just stated that men can greatly benefit from therapy. Here are 3 reasons why men should at least give therapy a try:

    Recover Your Sense of Identity

    For many generations, there was a strong definition of, and acceptance of, masculinity. Today, we are given a mix of messages from the media about what it means to be a man and how destructive “toxic” masculinity is. Add to this the fact many men grew up in homes where the father was either fully absent or emotionally absent, and many men struggle with their own sense of identity. Therapy offers men a space to create a healthy definition of what it means to be a man.

    Improve Your Relationships

    Because men have a hard time communicating their feelings, their female partners can often feel abandoned and confused. This can cause real problems in the relationship.

    Therapy allows men to become a healthier version of themselves, one that can connect better with their partner.

    Deal with Grief and Pain

    Grief, loss, trauma… these are sadly a part of life. Most people, especially men, have a very hard time navigating these mental health challenges. Therapy helps men explore their own emotional pain so they can heal and move on.

    These are just a few reasons why men should seriously consider trying therapy. If you’d like to explore treatment options, please get in touch with me.

    SOURCES:

    • https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-angry-therapist/201701/why-i-think-all-men-need-therapy
    • https://www.goodtherapy.org/learn-about-therapy/issues/men-issues/men-therapy
    • https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/fear-intimacy/201909/men-and-psychotherapy

    Filed Under: Couples/Marriage, Grief, Men's Issues



    815 Ritchie Highway Suite 210 Severna Park, MD 21146

    (443) 472-1048 barbarajborsi@gmail.com

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