As a birth mother navigating the grieving process, you may benefit from attending therapy sessions. What’s wonderful about therapy is that there are so many ways to go about it. You can have one-on-one sessions with a licensed professional who can help you identify, understand, and articulate your feelings so that they become more tangible and easier to resolve.
There are several forms of therapy that you can explore with your therapist so that your healing process can be tailored to your needs. Among the most common methods of therapy are: crisis intervention, solution-focused brief therapy, person centered therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and narrative therapy. On the other hand, group therapy may give you an opportunity to witness how others are working through their struggles which may offer some insights as to how you can heal.
Joining a support group can provide a sense of community with those who share similar experiences to your own. Meeting birth mothers at various stages of their own adoption journeys can give you perspective that might be difficult to find elsewhere. Being among individuals who understand what you’re going through, in a way most other people can’t, brings you out of isolation and into a safe place where you can build bonds with others through giving and receiving support.
Sometimes, you just need to mentally escape so that you can recharge and face your problems more effectively. Taking a solo or group retreat can provide you with just that. The physical separation from your daily norms and stressors can bring a sense of serenity and pause that your mind and body crave. Retreating into nature can be especially therapeutic. Going on a retreat of any kind can help put your worries in perspective and make you realize that they don’t have to follow you wherever you go.
While there are many forms of structured methods to help guide you through difficult times, don’t forget to rely on your own personal network of friends and family. Simply finding refuge in the everyday empathy of others can be healing in its own right. Being vulnerable with those who care about you can strengthen your bonds with them as you develop a profound sense of trust with them. Since these individuals are already well integrated into your life, they can be a source of stability and normalcy you seek during this uncertain time in your life.
