Unrecognized grief drives emotional and physical problems after we suffer the loss of a loved one, and the challenges to recognizing and releasing that grief are even greater if the loss includes abortion.

According to Focus on the Family, unfamiliar emotions while grieving go far beyond feeling sadness, and may include:

•  Feeling physically drained
•  Sleeplessness
•  Forgetfulness
•  Loss of appetite
•  Inappropriate risk-taking
•  Lethargy and over-indulgence
•  Becoming withdrawn and apathetic

Raising awareness of the source of these changes is the beginning of our hope for healing.

This week we got practical help from professional counselor Rita Schulte for the spiritual and emotional challenges we face in overcoming unrecognized grief. Rita is the author of Shattered: Finding Hope and Healing through Losses of Life.

Overcoming barriers to grieving after abortion and other painful loss

Highlight – Overcoming barriers to grieving after abortion and other painful loss

From Rita’s bio:

Rita Schulte is a licensed professional board certified counselor with a B.S. in psychology and a master’s degree in counseling from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. In her private counseling practice in Virginia she specializes in the treatment of eating disorders, anxiety and depressive disorders as well as grief and loss issues. She also counsels women of domestic violence through Lutheran Social Services, and is certified in Critical Incident Stress Management.

In 2013, Rita lost her beloved husband to suicide and her world was decimated. She speaks candidly about her loss(es) in the hope of helping others to heal. Her books are , and Imposter: Gain Confidence, Eradicate Shame and become who God made you to be.

Rita is also the host of Heartline Radio, designed to provide relevant content to educate, equip, and engage the culture in the awareness of how mental health issues that are affecting each of us.