Anticipatory Loss and Anticipatory Grief

There are many terms in our language that we learn when we face some of life’s most difficult trials. Anticipatory Loss and Anticipatory Grief are two of them.

Anticipatory Loss refers to the actual situation prompting an impending loss of a loved one to death or to an ambiguous loss due to, for example, dementia, Alzheimer's, or divorce.

Anticipatory Grief is the reaction to an Anticipated Loss.

When we face an impending and inevitable loss, a different kind of sadness, anxiety, and loss experience shakes us. This profound emotional turmoil may play out many times in our minds, almost making it impossible for us to be present with our loved ones who n

eed us the most.

Mental rehearsal of the loss and its aftermath is a natural place for the mind to visit throughout the waking hours of the day and may steal our sleep as well. This uncharted territory comes to us without any road maps and requires a gentle landing place to slow down and process. As these times before the loss of a loved one, a relationship, or a home are indeed precious in the opportunities of a special kind, they require utmost presence and intentionality.

Grief therapy is well recognized and appreciated when someone loses a loved one.  In addition to common practice, grief therapy is helpful during the anticipatory loss period and with anticipatory grief experience, as it helps clients find the much-needed safe space to understand their experience of many emotions and many contradictory thoughts, stripping one of clarity. Grief therapy can help with finding those very important and healing moments before saying goodbye and having the sharp corner of this painful experience soften.