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Prolonged Grief Disorder

Prolonged Grief Disorder Treatment Specialist in Los Angeles, CA

Prolonged Grief Disorder treatment is essential for individuals who struggle to move forward after a significant loss, experiencing intense sorrow that lasts longer than typical grieving periods. At Blue Ocean Mental Health, Esder Shin, PMHNP-BC, offers specialized care that helps individuals process their emotions, rebuild daily functioning, and find meaning after loss. With supportive therapy, patients can regain emotional balance and improve their overall mental health. For more information, contact us or request an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 11850 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 200A, Los Angeles, CA 90025.

Prolonged Grief Disorder Treatment Specialist Near Me in Los Angeles, CA
Prolonged Grief Disorder Treatment Specialist Near Me in Los Angeles, CA

Table of Contents:

What are the signs that someone may be experiencing prolonged grief?
How does prolonged grief differ from typical grief or mourning?
Can prolonged grief lead to other mental health conditions?
What are some effective strategies or treatments for managing prolonged grief?

What are the signs that someone may be experiencing prolonged grief?


Prolonged grief, also known as complicated grief or persistent complex bereavement disorder, is characterized by an intense and enduring emotional response to loss, significantly affecting a person’s ability to engage in daily life and move forward.

Our team at Blue Ocean Mental Health recognizes that individuals struggling with prolonged grief may experience persistent yearning or longing for their loved one, ongoing disbelief, and intrusive thoughts about the circumstances surrounding the loss. Emotionally, this can manifest as prolonged sadness, emotional numbness, anger, bitterness, or guilt. Many individuals often withdraw from friends, family, and activities they previously enjoyed, feeling disconnected, isolated, or unable to regain a sense of normalcy.

We also acknowledge the physical dimension of prolonged grief, which can include sleep disturbances, appetite changes, fatigue, and a general neglect of personal health. At Blue Ocean Mental Health, our holistic approach ensures that we address both the emotional and physical impacts of prolonged grief, providing comprehensive care tailored to each individual’s specific needs.

If you or someone you care about is experiencing grief that continues to severely disrupt daily functioning, relationships, and overall quality of life for longer than six months to a year, seeking professional support is essential. Our experienced Providers offer compassionate, evidence-based interventions designed to help individuals process their grief, rediscover meaning, and gradually reconnect with life.

How does prolonged grief differ from typical grief or mourning?


At Blue Ocean Mental Health, we understand that grief is a natural response to loss, yet each person’s journey through grief is unique. While typical grief gradually eases over time, prolonged grief, also known as complicated grief, is a condition that extends significantly beyond the expected grieving period, often lasting six months to a year or more.

Unlike typical grief, prolonged grief is characterized by ongoing, intense emotional pain, persistent yearning for the deceased, and difficulty accepting the loss. Individuals facing prolonged grief frequently experience intrusive thoughts, deep feelings of emptiness or meaninglessness, and struggle to engage fully in daily activities, relationships, and responsibilities. This chronic grieving can lead to isolation, withdrawal from social support, and disruption to overall mental and emotional well-being. Additionally, prolonged grief may coexist with other mental health challenges, including depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbances.

If you or someone you care about is struggling with prolonged grief, Blue Ocean Mental Health offers compassionate, specialized support. Our experienced providers employ evidence-based approaches such as grief counseling, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and targeted grief-focused interventions to help individuals process unresolved emotions, accept their loss, and gradually rediscover meaning, purpose, and fulfillment in life.
We are committed to guiding you through the complexities of prolonged grief, supporting you as you navigate your healing journey towards emotional equilibrium, renewed purpose, and restored well-being.

Can prolonged grief lead to other mental health conditions?


At Blue Ocean Mental Health, we understand that grief is a natural human response to loss. However, when grief becomes prolonged or complicated, it can significantly disrupt your daily life, emotional well-being, and overall mental health.

If grief remains unresolved over a prolonged period, it can increase your vulnerability to other mental health conditions. For example, prolonged grief often heightens the risk of depression, which is characterized by ongoing sadness, loss of interest in previously enjoyable activities, feelings of hopelessness, and persistent fatigue. Additionally, anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder or panic disorder may develop or intensify due to the prolonged emotional stress and unresolved feelings of loss.

Furthermore, individuals experiencing prolonged grief may also be susceptible to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), particularly if the loss occurred suddenly or under traumatic circumstances. Symptoms of PTSD, including intrusive memories, nightmares, heightened agitation, and avoidance behaviors, can further complicate the grieving process and hinder emotional recovery. Additionally, substance abuse disorders may emerge as some individuals attempt to cope with overwhelming feelings of sadness, isolation, or despair through the misuse of alcohol or drugs.

At Blue Ocean Mental Health, we believe that early recognition and intervention are key to effectively addressing prolonged grief and preventing related mental health issues. Our compassionate, experienced team of mental health professionals including providers and counselors, offers specialized services tailored to support individuals navigating complicated grief. Through personalized grief counseling, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and supportive group sessions, we facilitate healthier coping strategies and guide you toward emotional recovery and well-being.

What are some effective strategies or treatments for managing prolonged grief?


At Blue Ocean Mental Health, we understand that navigating prolonged grief requires compassionate, personalized, and comprehensive care. Our experienced mental health professionals offer evidence-based therapeutic interventions tailored to each individual’s unique needs, including grief counseling, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and specialized complicated grief therapy. These therapeutic approaches empower clients to process loss, reshape thought patterns, and develop effective coping strategies, helping them reconnect meaningfully with their lives.

We place significant emphasis on building strong, supportive relationships and fostering a sense of community. We encourage patients to engage with family, friends, and grief support groups, guiding to help them cultivate a supportive social network. By sharing experiences within compassionate circles, individuals can find comfort, validation, and strength, greatly reducing feelings of loneliness and isolation.

We also emphasizes self-care strategies to enhance emotional resilience and overall well-being. We support clients in incorporating regular physical exercise, balanced nutrition, and restorative sleep into their daily routines. Additionally, we teach mindfulness practices—including meditation, yoga, and deep breathing exercises—as effective tools for reducing anxiety and creating emotional balance amid grief-related distress.

When appropriate, our medical professionals may recommend pharmacological interventions such as antidepressant medications, particularly in cases where prolonged grief is accompanied by clinical depression or severe anxiety. Medication management can often facilitate greater engagement in therapy and further emotional healing.

At Blue Ocean Mental Health, we firmly believe that healing from prolonged grief involves an integrated, personalized approach combining psychological counseling, social and emotional support, targeted self-care, and, if necessary, medication. Our dedicated team is committed to guiding clients on their journey toward renewed emotional health, resilience, and a meaningful reconnection with life. For more information, contact us or request an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 11850 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 200A, Los Angeles, CA 90025. We serve patients from Los Angeles CA, Pasadena CA, Beverly Hills CA, Glendale CA, Huntington Park CA, East Los Angeles CA, and surrounding areas.