When we lose a loved one, our felt sense of safety is impacted.
Anxiety and grief walk together. We can feel a straightforward panic of "will I lose someone else? am I safe?" or it may be experienced as a general uneasiness.
When our sense of safety is impacted, old beliefs about ourselves (and the protective parts of us that hold those beliefs) can resurface. That's where EMDR can be especially helpful in navigating grief.
The grief itself a a natural response to loss. Where we can provide relief is through reprocessing negative core beliefs:
"I should have done something"
"I didn't do enough"
"I am alone"
These beliefs can flood our entire experience. And it makes sense when you view it from a protective context: We are trying to protect ourselves from feeling.
EMDR creates safety to experience the full range of emotions.