Following the loss of a partner, close relative or friend it is normal to experience a period of extreme grief which may last for up to a year. However if the intensity of the grief shows no signs of decreasing after one year the individual will need to seek professional help from a suitably qualified therapist.
Psychotherapy or hypnotherapy can be of great help to these people in coming to terms with their loss. Sometimes it is useful to use a combination of both these approaches. The individual will need to come on a regular basis over a period of time, preferable once a week in the first instance. During the sessions the person explores with the therapist the nature of the relationship he or she had with the person who has died. In this way the grief lessens in intensity to an acceptable level. The length of time which the person will need to be in therapy will vary from one individual to another.