Transmuting Grief: Moving from Pain to Presence
Grief that occurs when a loss is not openly acknowledged, socially validated, or publicly mourned, can be especially difficult to navigate. This type of grief is known as disenfranchised grief, and often occurs in isolation, without social support or validation, leading to feelings of invisibility, shame, and deeper emotional turmoil.
“Grief is not meant to be the soul’s final destination; rather a resting place for the heart as we emerge onto the path of healing.”
– Karen A. Anderson
There aren’t specific “stages” unique to disenfranchised grief; instead, individuals experience the standard stages of grief (Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, Acceptance) after the loss of a beloved animal companion. Any lack of acknowledgment around this loss can make navigating the typical grief process much harder, often pushing feelings underground or causing them to manifest as isolation and low self-esteem.
The grief experience is a non-linear physiological, emotional, relational, and spiritual process that occurs when we face a loss. Expressions of grief in the body and mind can be debilitating, and may include, but are not limited to:
- Physical symptoms, such as aches and pains, chest tightness, throat constriction, headaches, collapse or exhaustion, nausea, loss of appetite, sleeplessness, and crying.
- Emotions, such as feelings of sadness, anger, guilt, anxiety, fear, despair, overwhelm, loneliness, yearning, relief, and gratitude.
- Intellectual manifestations of grief, such as rumination, preoccupation with the dying process, inability to concentrate, disassociation, rigidity and lack of flexibility, confusion, and even hallucinations.
Hypnotherapy for Animal Grief
It is crucial to recognize that the intensity of grief depends on the bond, not just the social legitimacy of the relationship. The Animal Grief Hypno-Breathwork session holds space as you shift the energy and transmute your pain into something sacred. Each 60 – 90min. session combines hypnosis, visualization, somatic release, and breathwork techniques, to support and assist with grounding, resourcing, acknowledging pain, and processing emotions.
Kahu Holistic Services 