Eight-year-old Emma stopped talking about her grandmother after the funeral. Her parents noticed she'd withdrawn from friends, struggled with bedtime, and began having angry outbursts at school. Like many families in Charlotte facing loss, Emma's parents wondered how to help their child process grief in a healthy way.

The Hidden Impact of Childhood Grief

When children experience loss, whether through death, divorce, or other significant changes, their emotional responses often manifest differently than adult grief. Research shows that unaddressed childhood grief can lead to long-term challenges including anxiety, depression, academic difficulties, and relationship struggles. The National Alliance for Children's Grief emphasizes that "no child grieves alone" and that all grieving children deserve appropriate support to heal.

The problem extends beyond the immediate family. Many well-meaning adults struggle to know what to say or do, sometimes inadvertently minimizing a child's experience or rushing them through the grieving process. Without proper guidance, children may develop unhealthy coping mechanisms that impact their development and future relationships.

Evidence-Based Solutions from Leading Organizations

The National Alliance for Children's Grief (NACG) provides comprehensive resources and education for supporting grieving children and teens, offering specialized training and evidence-based approaches. Professional counselors trained in childhood grief utilize proven therapeutic methods to help children understand and process their emotions in age-appropriate ways.

Creating Safe Spaces for Expression Through Therapeutic Support

Professional grief counseling creates structured environments where children can safely explore their emotions without judgment. During individual counseling sessions, grief therapists work one-on-one with children, helping them understand the grieving process and encouraging healthy emotional expression through evidence-based therapeutic techniques.

Steps therapists use to support grieving children:

1. Establish trust and rapport through child-friendly communication and consistency
2. Normalize grief responses by explaining that all feelings are valid and expected
3. Facilitate expression through art, play, storytelling, and age-appropriate activities
4. Develop coping strategies tailored to the child's personality and needs
5. Involve family systems to ensure support continues at home

Clear benefits of professional support:

• Children learn healthy ways to express difficult emotions
• Families receive guidance on supporting their child's unique grieving process
• Risk of long-term mental health complications decreases significantly
• Children develop resilience and coping skills for future challenges
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Moving Forward with Hope and Healing

Just as Emma's story began with withdrawal and confusion, with proper therapeutic support, children can learn to honor their losses while rebuilding their sense of security and joy. Effective grief counseling emphasizes active listening, empathy, and helping clients find personal meaning in their experience while normalizing grief and encouraging healthy coping strategies.

Professional counseling doesn't erase the pain of loss, but it provides children and families with tools to navigate grief in healthy ways. When children receive appropriate support during their most vulnerable moments, they often emerge with greater emotional intelligence and resilience.

If your child is struggling with grief or loss, you don't have to navigate this journey alone. The compassionate therapists at Bareiter Counseling Center specialize in supporting children and families through difficult transitions. Call us today at 704-334-0524 to learn how professional counseling can help your family heal and move forward together.

Citations

National Alliance for Children's Grief. (2025). Home Page. Retrieved from https://nacg.org/

National Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education. (2025). National Alliance For Children's Grief. Retrieved from https://nexusipe.org/informing/resource-center/national-alliance-childrens-grief

University of Illinois Chicago Division of Specialized Care for Children. (2024). National Alliance for Children's Grief (NACG). Retrieved from https://dscc.uic.edu/dscc_resource/the-national-alliance-for-childrens-grief-nacg/

Positive Psychology. (2025). 10 Grief Counseling Therapy Techniques & Interventions. Retrieved from https://positivepsychology.com/grief-counseling/

Choosing Therapy. (2024). Grief Counseling for Children: What it Is & How it Can Help. Retrieved from https://www.choosingtherapy.com/grief-counseling-for-children/

SonderMind. Grief Counseling for Children: What To Know and How To Help. Retrieved from https://www.sondermind.com/resources/articles-and-content/grief-counseling-for-children/