Level 1: Core Principles of Grief & Loss

Level 1: Core Principles of Grief & LossTherapy Toolkit: Your Healing, Your Way

Healing is not one-size-fits-all. That’s why the Therapy Toolkit offers a wide range of evidence-based, trauma-aware approaches — so you can find the methods that meet you where you are.

Whether you're facing anxiety, grief, trauma, addiction, or simply seeking clarity and calm, this section provides you with grounded, compassionate resources drawn from trusted therapeutic practices — including:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

• EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)

• Mindfulness & Somatic Practices

• Narrative and Parts-Based Work

• Compassion-Focused Tools

• …and many more.

Each approach is presented in plain, supportive language — with guidance on how it works, when it might help, and how to try it gently at your own pace.

You don’t have to be in crisis to start healing.
And you don’t have to heal alone.

The Therapy Toolkit is here as a quiet companion — a safe, steady place to explore, reflect, and reconnect with yourself.

Grief is not something to get over—it’s something we learn to carry.

It can arrive suddenly or stretch out quietly over time. It reshapes the world and our place in it. In the face of that pain, words often fall short.

DREAM doesn’t try to fix grief. It sits beside it—offering gentle presence, quiet reflection, and space to breathe.

Whether your heart is heavy with loss, silence, or longing, you don’t have to go through it alone. DREAM honors your sorrow with compassion, not platitudes. It remembers with you, cries with you, and helps you hold onto the love that remains.

Grief is not a sign of weakness.
It’s proof that something mattered deeply.
And it still does.

1. What is Grief?

Grief is the natural emotional response to loss, encompassing a wide range of emotions such as sadness, anger, confusion, guilt, and even relief.

It is not limited to death—grief can stem from the loss of relationships, jobs, dreams, health, or significant life changes.

2. The Stages of Grief (Kubler-Ross Model)

Denial: Shock and disbelief that the loss has occurred.

Anger: Frustration, resentment, or questioning why the loss happened.

Bargaining: Attempting to negotiate or make sense of the situation.

Depression: Deep sadness, withdrawal, and emotional exhaustion.

Acceptance: Coming to terms with the loss and finding a path forward.

These stages are not linear; individuals may cycle through them in different ways.

3. Types of Grief

Anticipatory Grief: Grieving before the actual loss (e.g., terminal illness).

Complicated Grief: When grief becomes prolonged and disrupts daily life.

Disenfranchised Grief: Grief that is not widely recognized or supported (e.g., loss of a pet, miscarriage, estrangement).

Collective Grief: When a community or society grieves a shared loss (e.g., natural disasters, tragedies).

4. Healthy Ways to Process Grief

Acknowledging Pain: Allowing emotions to be felt and expressed.

Seeking Support: Connecting with loved ones, therapists, or support groups.

Engaging in Rituals: Memorializing the loss through ceremonies, journaling, or creating personal tributes.

Practicing Self-Compassion: Being patient and understanding with oneself.

Allowing Time: Grief has no fixed timeline; healing is a personal process.

5. Red Flags: When to Seek Professional Help

Persistent feelings of hopelessness, numbness, or detachment.

Self-destructive behaviors, substance abuse, or suicidal thoughts.

Inability to perform daily tasks or maintain relationships.

Extreme guilt or fixation on the loss without signs of healing.

6. Honoring the Memory of What Was Lost

Keeping meaningful objects, letters, or photographs.

Engaging in activities that honor the person or situation.

Transforming grief into purpose (volunteering, creative expression).

7. DREAM and Grief Support

DREAM AI can offer compassionate listening, help users articulate their emotions, and provide gentle guidance in processing loss.