Hypnotherapy and the Two-Process Model of Grief
Grief is a profoundly personal experience that every human being will encounter. Whether it’s the death of a loved one, the end of a relationship, a job loss, or another significant life change, the way we grieve can vary widely. At Hypfocus Therapies in Melbourne, we support people through grief using compassionate, evidence-informed approaches—including clinical hypnotherapy—that work in harmony with how the mind naturally processes loss.
One of the most widely accepted frameworks for understanding grief today is the Two-Process Model of Grief, developed by Margaret Stroebe and Henk Schut. This model provides valuable insights into how people move through bereavement and why healing is not a linear journey.
What is the Two-Process Model of Grief?
The Two-Process Model (also known as the Dual Process Model) recognises that grieving people shift between two core types of coping:
1. Loss-Oriented Coping
This involves confronting the pain of the loss head-on. It includes:
Feeling and expressing sadness, anger, or yearning
Remembering the person or relationship
Reflecting on the meaning of the loss
Feeling the void left behind
2. Restoration-Oriented Coping
This side focuses on rebuilding and adapting to life without the person or thing that’s been lost. It includes:
Taking on new roles or tasks
Making practical adjustments (e.g., finances, routines)
Seeking distraction or respite from grief
Developing new relationships or goals
The key insight of this model is that healthy grieving involves oscillation—moving back and forth between these two modes. Spending all your time immersed in grief can become overwhelming while ignoring it entirely can delay healing. The mind and body intuitively seek balance, allowing reflection and recovery.
Why Grief Feels So Unpredictable
Because of this natural oscillation, people often report that their grief feels like a “rollercoaster” or that they’re “fine one day and in pieces the next.” This is perfectly normal. It's part of the brain’s adaptive process, ensuring you don’t get stuck in prolonged distress or avoidant coping.
However, sometimes this process gets disrupted. People may feel stuck in deep emotional pain, numbness, guilt, or avoidance. When this happens, hypnotherapy can help restore movement between the two grief processes, promoting healing and emotional resilience.
How Can Hypnotherapy Help With Grief?
Hypnotherapy is a powerful therapeutic tool that works with the subconscious mind, where much of our emotional processing occurs. Under the guidance of a trained clinical hypnotherapist—such as Georgina Mitchell at Hypfocus Therapies—hypnotherapy can support the grief process in several ways:
🌿 Processing Emotional Pain Safely
Hypnotherapy provides a calm, focused mental state where difficult emotions can be gently explored without becoming overwhelming. It allows unresolved guilt, regret, or anger to be acknowledged and released.
🌱 Facilitating Restoration-Oriented Coping
When someone is feeling stuck, hypnotherapy can help reawaken motivation, reframe limiting beliefs, and create a subconscious readiness to re-engage with life. This can support the development of new routines, identities, and hopes.
🌼 Reducing Physical and Emotional Symptoms
Grief often manifests as sleep disturbances, anxiety, fatigue, and even chronic health issues. Hypnotherapy has been shown to reduce stress and support nervous system regulation, helping the body and mind recover together.
🌸 Honouring the Relationship While Moving Forward
Hypnotherapy can help individuals find symbolic or emotional ways to stay connected to what was lost, even while building a new life. This can be profoundly healing and reduce feelings of guilt associated with moving on.
A Gentle, Individualised Approach to Healing
At Hypfocus Therapies, we understand that no two grief journeys are alike. Some people need help accessing emotions they’ve been avoiding; others need support in stepping out of prolonged sadness and reconnecting with life. Using a combination of clinical hypnotherapy, EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques), and other integrative modalities, we provide tailored support to help you move forward at your own pace.
You Don’t Have to Navigate Grief Alone
Grief is a natural yet complex process. Understanding the Two-Process Model can help normalise the ups and downs and reassure that healing is possible. If you feel stuck or overwhelmed in your grief, hypnotherapy can provide gentle, practical support.
Contact Georgina Mitchell at Hypfocus Therapies for Hypnotherapy Melbourne for a confidential consultation. Together, we can support your mind and heart in finding peace after loss.
