Grief can feel like carrying a heavy emotional weight with you, wherever you go. If this weight becomes too heavy to carry alone, grief and loss inpatient treatment may offer the support you need to process your pain.
Residential programs for grief support can offer a safe space for people to heal with the help of mental health professionals who understand the complexities of loss and grief. Whether you are going through a period of prolonged grief or have recently experienced a traumatic loss, grief and loss mental health treatment can bring light into the darkness.
A mental health professional can advise on the best approach to managing your grief, helping you move forward with acceptance of loss – but still carrying the memory of your loved one. This page can also help you better understand how grief and loss inpatient treatment works, as it explores:
The American Psychological Association (APA) defines grief as “…the anguish experienced after significant loss, usually the death of a loved one.”1 Although many people purely associate grief with death, it can also be a response to other types of loss. For example, losing a job or going through significant life changes could also bring up feelings of loss and periods of grief.2
People mourn in different ways, as personality traits and even cultural norms can shape how we grieve.3 For instance, some people might express their feelings publicly, while others may mourn privately. Regardless of how people express themselves, it’s common for a person experiencing a loss to feel anxious, angry, sad, numb, confused, helpless, or hopeless. They may also notice changes in their appetite, energy, or sleeping patterns as a result.1,2
It’s often said that time heals all wounds. But sometimes, time isn’t enough, and feelings may intensify into something called “complicated grief.”
Complicated grief is an intense, prolonged sorrow that makes it difficult to adapt to the loss of a loved one. It’s not an uncommon phenomenon; around one in ten people experience complicated grief.4
Symptoms of complicated grief can be debilitating, with time not being the healer that’s often promised, leaving people with painful emotions and inhibiting daily life. Complicated grief can interfere with relationships, make work a struggle, and impact your physical and mental health.5
Symptoms of complicated grief may include:5
If you are having thoughts of suicide or feel at risk of harm, call 911 or attend your nearest emergency department for immediate assistance.
If the above signs sound familiar, you may be experiencing complicated grief. When grief becomes too heavy to hold alone and is affecting your life, inpatient care for complicated grief can offer a safe and supportive environment for healing. Grief and loss inpatient treatment brings together evidence-based therapies, clinical expertise, and peer support to help people process loss, develop coping skills, and rediscover hope.
We accept most major insurance providers and can check your coverage levels for you.
If we are not an appropriate provider for care, we will assist in finding a care provider that can help.
Many people can manage loss with the support of their loved ones and grief counseling. However, through no fault of their own, many people experience prolonged and overwhelming emotional pain throughout the grieving process. What’s more, this overwhelming pain sometimes doesn’t ease with time.
It’s important to know that needing extra support during this heartbreaking period isn’t a sign of failure – it’s a step toward healing.
Inpatient grief stabilization programs may be useful if grief symptoms:
Treatment programs for grief inpatients can provide a safe and structured environment to begin healing from loss. With round-the-clock support and therapeutic spaces to explore feelings, inpatient care offers the stability, safety, and structure that is often needed to begin the recovery journey.
Entering an inpatient program for grief and loss is a brave decision – it shows that a person wants to heal their pain. However, many people don’t know what to expect from these programs, which can lead them to feel uncertain about taking this step toward recovery.
Understanding the process can help ease this uncertainty and assist you in feeling more confident in making this choice. The following sections provide a breakdown of what to expect from residential programs.
Typically, the first thing that happens, even before you reach the treatment center, is an assessment to learn about your symptoms, history, and specific needs. This allows the care team to understand what has brought you to them, and from this, they can create a personalized treatment to provide the right support required for healing.
Grief therapy inpatient programs provide 24/7 support and care in a safe, therapeutic environment. Treatment centers typically provide private or shared bedrooms for your stay, calming common areas to relax in, therapy rooms, dining areas, fitness facilities, and outdoor spaces to promote overall well-being.
Medication management may also form part of your care, when appropriate, to control symptoms of co-occurring conditions.
Additionally, many treatment centers offer recreational activities to support connection and wellness. For example, you may be able to attend mindfulness groups, creative therapy, or exercise classes. At AMFM, some of the off-site and recreational activities offered include exercise, creative writing, yoga, mini-golf, bowling, and visits to museums or beaches.
Residential treatment for grief can give people a space away from their usual environment, allowing them to be free of their everyday stress and responsibilities to focus on healing. Every grief journey is unique, but with the right support, people can re-emerge with optimism about their future.
A Mission For Michael (AMFM) provides treatment for adults experiencing various conditions. Grief support is a phone call away – call 866-478-4383 to learn about our current treatment options.
See our residences in Southern California’s Orange County & San Diego County.
Take a look at our homes on the east side of the Metro area in Washington County.
View our facilities in Fairfax County, VA within the DC metro area.
Some of the other benefits of receiving grief recovery inpatient mental health treatment over outpatient care may include:
Round-the-clock care and support from trained professionals
Residential care grief recovery programs offer support, hope, and a way forward after experiencing overwhelming loss.
Grief doesn’t come with an expiration date, and, unfortunately, no magic wand can eliminate the devastating pain of losing a loved one. However, grief and loss inpatient treatment may be the first positive step on your healing journey. Through residential treatment, you may begin to process your loss and find stability, while still carrying the treasured memory of your loved one.
When you leave inpatient treatment, a new phase of care begins to ensure continued support. This is known as “aftercare.”
Aftercare plans may include step-down care programs, such as partial hospitalization programs (PHPs) or intensive outpatient programs (IOPs). These programs are structured to provide ongoing support and therapy (either in-person or virtually) while allowing you to gradually return to your usual routines.
PHPs typically include around five hours a day of support, therapy, groupwork, or treatment, for five days each week, providing you with a high level of support. Alternatively, IOPs are ideal for people seeking an intensive yet flexible support option, typically consisting of two to three hours of intensive support per day, three to five days a week.8
Having an aftercare plan for leaving residential treatment is essential for staying supported, empowered, and connected as you continue your grief recovery journey.
When you’re grieving, finding the right grief and loss inpatient treatment can feel overwhelming. Yet, knowing what to look for can help you make a confident and well-informed decision.
Here are some questions you may want to consider asking when choosing a treatment program:
Additionally, you may want to look at the locations and facilities provided, or check out reviews to discover other people’s experiences of the program.
Choosing a treatment center is a deeply personal decision. Remember to ask questions, take your time, and trust that healing is possible with the right support.
Grief can feel heavy, isolating, and never-ending, but you don’t have to carry this weight alone. With the right support, healing is possible. Inpatient treatment for grief and loss can provide the compassionate care needed to move forward. Whether you are struggling with complicated grief, co-occurring mental health challenges, or need a safe space and time to heal, we are here for you.
AMFM’s residential treatment centers in California, Virginia, and Minnesota provide 24/7 live-in care and treatment for people who need more support than outpatient services can provide. Our safe, nurturing environments and personalized treatment plans can help people with complicated grief begin to heal. We offer individual and group therapy, psychiatric care, medication management, holistic therapies, and recreational activities designed to enhance your overall well-being.
Reach out to us today to find out how we can help you hold the weight of your grief and rediscover hope in life.
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