When most people hear the word grief, they think of the loss of a loved one. However, grief can take many forms and often accompanies major health changes such as accidents, cancer diagnoses, or conditions that cause pain, fatigue or difficulty moving. In these situations, individuals may grieve the loss of roles, routines, independence, or the sense of control they once had over their lives.
Occupational therapists frequently work with clients who are managing not only physical recovery but also the emotional impact of these life transitions. While occupational therapists are not trained as grief counselors, our role uniquely positions us to acknowledge, validate, and support individuals as they navigate this complex experience. If you need additional support, we can link you to a qualified practitioner.
The Nature of Grief in Health and Illness
Grief is a natural psychological and physiological response to loss, and in healthcare contexts, it may emerge in several ways:
- Loss of function: After an injury or surgery individuals may grieve the sudden change in what their bodies can do.
- Loss of roles: Chronic fatigue or pain may limit someone’s ability to maintain roles they value, such as caregiver, worker, or athlete.
- Loss of normalcy: A cancer diagnosis or auto-immune disorder can disrupt daily life, routines, and future plans.
- Uncertainty: Injuries or illnesses bring unpredictability that can feel destabilizing and overwhelming.
Importantly, grief is not linear. Clients may cycle between acceptance and resistance, or between hope and frustration. Recognizing this variability is essential for providing compassionate, client-centered care. In your OT session, we meet you where you are in the moment to support you for success.
The Role of Occupational Therapy
While occupational therapists do not provide formal grief counseling, we are trained to support individuals in the broader context of their lives such as how health changes impact participation, roles, and routines. Within this scope, OT can:
Validate and Listen
Sometimes the most powerful intervention is to create space for clients to share their experiences. We listen actively, acknowledging both the challenges and the strengths that emerge in recovery. I always tell my clients that “the complaint department is open” and to vent frustrations without apology.
Support Autonomic Regulation
High stress and grief often activate the body’s fight-or-flight response. Occupational therapists can teach autonomic quieting strategies such as paced breathing, grounding techniques, or gentle movement. These approaches help calm the nervous system and improve readiness for daily activities.
Facilitate Adaptation of Roles and Routines
Through careful assessment, we help clients identify which roles and activities are most meaningful and explore adaptations to continue engagement. This may involve modifying tasks, restructuring routines, or using assistive devices.
Promote Energy Conservation and Fatigue Management
Conditions such as cancer treatment side effects, surgical recovery or autoimmune disease often bring fatigue. OT interventions include pacing strategies, prioritization techniques, and ergonomic recommendations to reduce strain while maintaining participation.
Reinforce Healthy Coping Strategies
Engagement in valued occupations whether these are creative outlets, social participation, or self-care routines, can serve as protective factors against the emotional burden of grief. OT helps clients re-engage in these activities, sometimes in new or modified ways.
Evidence-Based Perspectives
Research highlights that meaningful activity engagement supports psychological resilience during illness and recovery. Studies have shown that when individuals are able to maintain roles and routines, even in modified forms, they report improved quality of life, reduced anxiety, and greater perceived control.
Additionally, strategies aimed at regulating the autonomic nervous system, such as breath work and mindfulness-based approaches, have demonstrated effectiveness in reducing stress and supporting emotional regulation. These strategies align well with OT practice when integrated into functional routines.
Moving Forward: A Collaborative Approach
It is important to emphasize that occupational therapy does not replace counseling or mental health services. When appropriate, we collaborate with psychologists, social workers, and grief counselors to ensure holistic care. Within our scope, however, we provide practical, functional tools that help clients move through grief in the context of their daily lives.
At Katherine Jackson Occupational Therapy PLLC in Evanston, IL our goal is to help you rebuild routines, reclaim participation in meaningful activities, and develop strategies that promote resilience. Grief may not follow a predictable path, but with the right support, it is possible to find balance, purpose, and a renewed sense of self.
Listening, validating, rebuilding
If you are looking for an Occupational Therapist to help with recovery after accident, illness or disability click the link to explore services on my website.
Flourish Recovery & Wellness 