Dr. Karen Hawk’s Approach to Supporting Clients Through Grief

 Grief is a natural but profoundly challenging emotion that everyone encounters at some point in their lives. Whether it’s the loss of a loved one, a relationship, a job, or even a way of life, grief can take a toll on a person’s emotional and physical well-being. While the experience of loss is universal, the way individuals process and cope with grief can differ significantly. Karen Hawk Gilbert, a psychologist based in Gilbert, offers compassionate, personalized support to individuals navigating the complex and often painful emotions of grief. In this blog, Dr. Hawk shares her approach to helping clients cope with loss, offering guidance on how to navigate grief in a healthy and healing way.

The Nature of Grief

Grief is not a one-size-fits-all experience. Dr Karen Hawk Psychologist Gilbert explains that grief manifests in many forms and can vary in intensity, duration, and the emotional responses it triggers. People may experience sadness, anger, guilt, confusion, and even relief, depending on the nature of their loss. Dr. Hawk emphasizes that there is no “right” way to grieve, and each individual’s journey is unique.

When clients come to Dr. Hawk for help with grief, she first takes time to understand the depth of their loss and their emotional responses to it. Grief can sometimes feel overwhelming or all-encompassing, and Dr. Hawk creates a safe space where clients can express their feelings without fear of judgment or expectation. By normalizing the grief process, Dr. Hawk helps clients recognize that it is okay to feel a wide range of emotions during this time and that healing takes time.

Understanding the Stages of Grief

In her work with clients, Karen Hawk Gilbert often references the well-known five stages of grief, introduced by psychiatrist Elisabeth Kübler-Ross: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. While these stages are widely recognized, Dr. Hawk is careful to explain that grief is not a linear process. People may experience these stages in different orders, revisit stages multiple times, or skip some altogether.

Dr. Hawk takes an individualized approach to grief counseling, helping clients understand that there is no “correct” timeline or way to go through the stages. Some people may feel stuck in one stage, while others may move through stages quickly. The goal of therapy is not to force clients to “move on” but to help them process their grief in a healthy way. Dr. Hawk listens to her clients’ experiences, helping them work through the various stages at their own pace and with the appropriate tools.

Providing Validation and Emotional Support

One of the most important aspects of Dr. Karen Hawk’s approach to grief counseling is validation. Losing someone or something important can feel isolating, and many clients express feelings of being misunderstood or disconnected from others. Dr. Hawk provides a nonjudgmental, empathetic space where clients can feel heard and validated in their grief.

In therapy, Dr. Hawk helps clients understand that their emotions—whether they are crying, angry, numb, or feeling nothing at all—are normal and valid responses to loss. Often, people feel pressure to “get over” their grief or to mask their sadness to avoid making others uncomfortable. Dr. Hawk works to undo this narrative, reminding clients that grief is a deeply personal process that requires time and space. She offers emotional support by meeting clients where they are in their journey and empowering them to express their feelings fully and authentically.

Developing Healthy Coping Strategies

While it’s essential to feel and process grief, Dr Karen Hawk Psychologist Gilbert also emphasizes the importance of developing healthy coping strategies to navigate the pain. In therapy, Dr. Hawk works with clients to identify coping mechanisms that are both effective and healthy, encouraging them to find ways to manage their emotions without becoming overwhelmed or stuck in despair.

One of the strategies Dr. Hawk often suggests is mindfulness, which can help clients stay grounded in the present moment and manage the overwhelming emotions that often accompany grief. Mindfulness practices, such as deep breathing, body scans, or meditation, can help calm the mind and reduce the intensity of painful emotions.

Additionally, Dr. Hawk may guide clients to engage in self-care practices that promote physical and emotional well-being. These may include exercise, journaling, connecting with supportive friends or family members, or engaging in hobbies and activities that bring joy or relaxation. Healthy routines are important for balancing the emotional toll of grief and maintaining a sense of control during a time that feels chaotic or out of control.

Exploring and Honoring Memories

Grief often brings up the question of how to honor the memory of a lost loved one or significant change. Karen Hawk Gilbert encourages clients to explore ways to celebrate the life or experience they’ve lost without feeling like they must “move on” quickly. This might involve creating rituals or memorials that allow clients to honor their grief and remember the positive aspects of the relationship or situation.

Dr. Hawk may guide clients to write letters to the person they’ve lost, create a scrapbook, or participate in a memorial service to mark the significance of the loss. She understands that finding ways to integrate the memory of a lost loved one or experience into one’s life moving forward can be an important part of the healing process. By exploring these methods of remembrance, clients can continue to feel a connection to what has been lost while still moving forward in a healthy way.

Rebuilding a New Sense of Normal

Grief often leaves a person feeling as though their world has been irrevocably changed. Dr Karen Hawk Psychologist Gilbert recognizes that the loss of a loved one or a significant event can create a sense of void, making it difficult for individuals to imagine life going on without that person, relationship, or thing. As clients work through their grief, Dr. Hawk helps them navigate the process of rebuilding a new sense of normal.

Rather than expecting clients to “get back to normal” as quickly as possible, Dr. Hawk supports them in discovering what their new normal will look like. She encourages clients to explore new activities, interests, and relationships, while also understanding that it’s okay to feel a sense of loss during this period of adjustment. By gently guiding clients through this phase, Dr. Hawk helps them recognize that it’s possible to find meaning and joy again, even in the aftermath of significant loss.

Moving Toward Acceptance

While grief doesn’t have a set endpoint, Karen Hawk Gilbert helps clients move toward a place of acceptance. Acceptance doesn’t mean forgetting the loss or moving on as if nothing has happened; it means finding a way to live with the grief while continuing to move forward with life. Dr. Hawk assists clients in integrating the loss into their lives in a way that honors their emotions but also allows them to find hope and meaning in the future.

In therapy, Dr. Hawk helps clients set small goals for healing, encouraging them to take one step at a time as they transition from active grief to a more peaceful state of acceptance. Over time, clients can learn to carry the memory of their loss with them in a way that does not prevent them from living fully and embracing new possibilities.

Conclusion

Grief is a deeply personal journey that can feel overwhelming at times. Dr. Karen Hawk’s compassionate approach to grief counseling offers individuals a supportive, validating space to process their emotions, develop coping strategies, and eventually find a path toward healing. By acknowledging the uniqueness of each person’s grief experience, Dr. Hawk empowers clients to honor their pain, rebuild their lives, and embrace hope for the future.

If you are struggling with grief and need professional support, Dr. Karen Hawk, a psychologist in Gilbert, is here to help. Through tailored therapy and compassionate guidance, Dr. Hawk offers the tools and support you need to navigate the challenges of grief and emerge stronger on the other side. Reach out today to start your healing journey.