How do you know when you should seek professional grief counseling?

Recent passing of my terminally ill Mother has left the technicolor world in which I lived, black-and-white. Has anyone had any good experience with grief counseling in the United States? Any other recommendations for coping?

I'm really sorry for your loss. What could it hurt to try the counseling? If it helps you then at least you can get some help dealing with this and if it doesn't help then at least you have made an effort. I used to babysit a woman's children every week while she went to grief counseling but it was a group meeting and it really did help her. I would suggest a group counseling so that you can have support from others that actually do understand what you are going through.

I think if you are asking about grief counseling, it's time to seriously look for one. Try your local church first. They may have some suggestions. If you are religious, talking to a priest or being referred by your priest/minister to someone in your same situation could help. Yahoo Groups I'm sure has some support groups out there. Try Yahoo's yellow pages. I'm sure there is a listing or two there. Your local YMCA or YWCA may be a good place to ask as well. They may have some good referrals. If your world has changed, it's time to seek someonne to talk to about your feelings, someone outside a family member that cann help you work through your feelings. Grieving is a process and each person goes through the process differently. I know it helped my mother a lot when she lost her husband.

I'm sorry for your loss. God Bless.

It's good that you recognize that you may need help with this. If she suffered long than you could also be going through something like post traumatic stress disorder, or even survivors guilt (can present itself in many forms). A grief counselor is like a teacher or personal coach. They can help you retrain your self to cope with day to day life, and get into a new routine.
Also take out an old project that you and her worked on or take a trip you two wanted to do together, but never could get around to doing. Either by your self or with a mutual friend or close family member. This will help you get some closure...And yes you need that.

One thing you should understrand that death is a certainty as such one should accept it gracefully and should not grief.Life will be more peacefull if you sit down and think all the good things she had done for you and all the good qualities she possessed and you should try and emulate her.

I am sorry for your loss. Many places offer bereavement counseling. Try your church or you could contact any Hospice organizaton and they would have a list of counselors in your area. Do believe I'll never leave you, Always I'll be in your heart. Don't forget my soul is near you, And so we'll never be apart. Best of Luch.

In my opinion the best way to deal with grief is a change of perspective given to me by African people.
They don't grieve someones death but celebrate their lost ones life.
Allowing them to talk to smile over fond memories.
The biggest mistake we western people make is to stop talking to suppress feelings there for reliving the pain of the loss.
Talking allows you to remember the good things that you can't loose.
Talk to people who know your mother in a different way.
And know death isn't the end, it's the beginning.

edit 31-05-2006 : Seek grief counseling if you feel you need it but most of all talk, there are so many loving souls willing to listen in several chats.
People who lost someone will empathize with you in posts like these or chat rooms.
I've been to more funerals of loved ones than marriage parties.
And time is a good healer if you work with it.
People who tell you "you'll get over it" are ignorant but like everyone else you learn to live with the scars.
Just take your time, every death every grief it's different for everyone of us.
We all cope differently and nothing is abnormal.
There is also no set time table in which you have to be done grieving.
Some people do it in 3 years others take 7 and there's nothing wrong with that either.

As I've been down your road before at the age of 10 now 15 I've been to quite a few Gcs over the years and alot of it has helped me understand the world a little better. But it also helps to let out your feelings to a person who has no family or religious ties, cause then they are all about talking not listening, but find some one that makes you feel comfortable and just let out your inner soul and cry and tell about your problems it doesn't even have to be a person pets work wonders to. But the point being is that since your mother passed away and you feel depressed you think that the world has changed for the worst just remember that death like life is part of the cycle and we will all see our loved ones in the future.

Blessed be child of the Tear

When you ask this question you are already asking for a type of grief counciling.
You are going through a really tough time right now and no one will make it any different. You have to understand that your Mom was really sick and now she is no longer suffering.
It's a hard thing to come to grips with but you are facing your own mortality now. You have just had a part of you die and you know inside that everyone has a time to go but no one wants to deal with it until it happens.

This is a major reason why it hurts so much.
I wsa really prepared for my fathers passing. He had cancer and as I saw him wither away into a painful slow death, I was actually relieved for his sake, when he passed.

i am sorry to hear of your loss.. i lost my dad last may 1 and it is so hard still.. my mother is terminally ill to.. i have been seeing a doctor and a caseworker until these things pass.. it is devistating how you feel after the loss of your parents,, i vow to do better this time.. i am telling myself that she is suffering to much.. she can not walk now, she is on oxygen, she has diabetes, bad heart..she cannot get up and do anything..she use to make us kids all quilts.. beautiful quilts..she is always in and out of the hospital.. she took herself off hospice, because she wants to be free to go to the hospital instead of staying home..i do not understand all but she did not like hospice at all..but it is good to go to grief counselors and to groups where they try to tell you ways to handle the grief.. i am doing better but i think it is just going to take time..i believe in god and believe that my dad has gone on to be with the lord.. he was a baptist minister..and he is greatly missed.. he really lived what he taught...i think you have to keep yourself occupied whether you want to or not.. at first all i wanted to do was sleep, but you have to face it and take one day at a time.. i have started a scrap book of my dad and all his accomplishments....it may take some time but the more time passes it will seem to lesson some...i wish the best for you and your sorrow..i hope i helped you some anyway.. i do not know if they have a burrell transistions where you live but that is where i go...and it does help...also helps if you have a good friend.. but it is better to get in a grief counseling group....

First of all stop being hard on yourself. A grief counsellor will probably tell you it can take 2 years for some people to deal with a major loss; parent,spouse or child. My mother died 12 years ago and we were not close but I still get a lump in my throat whenever I hear the song we played at her funeral.