Trauma from your dog dying? How trauma therapy supports you by a trauma therapist in Sugar Land, TX
The main reason most of us get a dog is to have companionship. We get excited about having someone to come home to who is ready and excited to see us. We look forward to taking them on walks or runs, sharing treats, and having someone to cuddle with as we watch our favorite shows. We elect them to become our best friends, and they rise to the occasion. Our bond and connection with our dog is unique, and for many of us, it is the relationship we can trust the most, where we can be vulnerable and truly experience unconditional love. It is truly magical. This is what makes losing our dog devastating and traumatic. Losing a pet can make you feel like your world is falling apart, you cannot eat, you struggle to get out of bed, you cry at the constant reminders that your pet is gone, the leash hanging by the door, the toys in the corner, and the empty bed.
You try to talk to other people about it, but everyone makes it seem like you should move on. You stop talking to people about it because you feel judged. But now you are walking around, distanced from others, still hurting, carrying this sadness, and you do not know what to do. You are angry that this happened. You promise to never let yourself get another dog because the loss hurts so much. You are spiraling, and things are falling through the cracks at work. Nothing you are trying is working to alleviate the sadness, and the hurt is just there. You wonder if there was more you could have done for your dog.
Trauma therapy can help. In some cases, PTSD treatment may be what you are looking for. The relationship you had mattered. Your emotions are valid, and you deserve to give them time and attention to make sense of them and to process your trauma. I understand the important role that a dog can play in your life. I understand the hurt, the feeling of loss, the overwhelm, and the sadness. When you come to trauma therapy for the loss of your pet, I sit with you. I help you learn how to hold that hurt, how to make sense of it so you can settle it. I use cognitive behavioral techniques as well as EMDR therapy. I like to use EMDR to help you because it helps you with processing distressing memories, calming the nervous system, and allowing you to move from the overwhelming "presence" of the crisis to manageable grief, differentiating it from normal sadness. You matter, your experience matters, and I know how to help you.
You may be wondering what the timeline is for moving past the trauma of your dog dying. And the answer is that each individual processes their pet's death in a different way, and it takes everyone their own time (where you were with your emotional resilience, coping mechanisms, and support systems before the loss of your dog matters in this regard). It is important to note that the timeline is often influenced by whether or not it was a sudden, traumatic death (like an accident), which can often lead to more intense, prolonged grief and guilt than expected euthanasia after a long illness. Something else you would want to factor in is whether or not your dog was your constant companion, filled a void, or was with you for a long time, which leaves a bigger space.
The initial shock, intense sadness, and disruption (difficulty sleeping/focusing) often peak and begin to lessen after a few weeks to three months. General grief symptoms often continue but become less intense, allowing for more good days after six months to a year. For some, grief can last a full year or even years, especially after a traumatic or sudden loss. It is important to note that when grief lasts years, the nature of the pain changes, becoming more manageable. Regardless, you do not have to suffer alone. Contact Alyssia at Southern Pine Counseling for your free consultation today and begin your journey to get trauma therapy and assistance in processing your PTSD.
