Grief and Loss Counseling in El Cajon, CA.

Grief is a force that requires great care and self-compassion. No one grieves in the same way. Grief is not always linked to the death of a loved one. Grief and loss can happen because of a job loss, moving, death of a pet, completing college or a graduate degree program, or even loss of a career. We will practice ways of integrating the loss into your loss, so it isn't this consuming force. For many, the goal of grief counseling is to simply "learn how to live with it." We will practice ways of living with the loss in a way that honors yourself, your experience, and your future plans.

Free 30 minute video call - Grief & Loss are normal experiences in life. Yet, they are often overwhelming - combining experiences of sadness, fear, anxiety, surprise, disorientation, loneliness, confusion & more. Grief is truly not meant to be experienced alone. The guidance of a caring therapist & the support of loving friends, family & community is invaluable and essential during deep grief. Grief takes time, comes in waves and needs expression in multiple ways, through tears, writing, talking, releasing sounds, connecting to one's spirituality or religion and even through creative expression such as music, painting or poetry, all of which I can guide you through as your grief counselor.

Grief and loss is, unfortunately, a normal part of living. There is no single "correct" way to grieve: different cultures and even individuals from the same culture grieve differently. The only consistent feature is that grief takes time. The most effective thing anyone can do for someone grieving is to be there—to listen, to empathize, to walk along with the grief. There is no "fixing" grief. But counseling can help prevent normal grief from developing into major depression or other mental health conditions.

Grief is a potential reaction to a loss of any kind whether through death, divorce, abandonment, separation, job loss, illness, disease diagnosis, kids leaving home, etc. Feelings of anger, resentment, shame, confusion, isolation or abandonment can result. Friends and family may not know what to say or how to provide support. A trained professional, who is profoundly sympathetic, respectful and empathetic, with the skills required to help one navigate through this difficult time, can be critical in helping one regain equilibrium.

When you suffer the loss of a loved one, you certainly will experience great sorrow. But it is also possible that you may experience symptoms similar to clinical depression. It is normal for these symptoms to last for days. But if they continue at a significant level for a week or more, you may need extra support. Grief counseling can be of benefit. I will help you move through the grief process in a constructive and purposeful way. We will engage you in specific interventions that honor your loss, and help you find the meaning in the painful reality you experience. Taking time for purposeful grieving, you learn to re-engage in your normal life, minimizing the risk of clinical depression.

Most of us are familiar with Elizabeth Kubler Ross' model of grief with the 5 stages. While this is helpful information, this model does not fit everyone. I practice from the Winslade and Hedtke model of grief which practices "Remembering". I find that using this model or this model in conjunction with the 5 stage grief model is helpful to helping clients explore loss and grief in finding a pathway forward that honors their own experiences.

Grief and loss is a painful and individual experience. Individuals express and experience bereavement in their own unique way. Grief work is beneficial to individuals dealing with bereavement because it provides one with the opportunity to process the loss, release painful emotions, develop constructive coping mechanisms and reinvest one's emotional energy in the present. Grief work also allows one to develop a new connection to the loss and provides one with a unique opportunity for personal growth.

Grief and loss are a part of life yet can feel overwhelming! If you are suffering from illness, the death of a loved one, loss of a job or relationship, or going through life transitions, therapy can assist in your healing. Grief can be isolating. Individuals, couples, and families can learn to stay connected rather than be torn apart during these difficult times. Learning to cope with your situation in an accepting atmosphere can help you develop a renewed sense of hope and renewed connection, first to yourself and then to significant others. You do not need to go through your pain alone!

People experience many different kinds of grief and loss, from the death of a friend or family member (including pets) to loosing a job or one's health. Therapy for grief and loss can help you through a very difficult and painful transition. Grief is a normal reaction to loss, and allowing yourself to spend time grieving instead of pushing down the feelings and emotions that ought to be expressed can help you to manage through this time in the best way possible. I provide a safe and caring place and a supportive therapeutic relationship as you work through your experience and manage the wide range of emotions you may feel.

Grief and loss are a part of life and how we deal with it are our feelings around it is very important for internal relief. I help clients undue unwilled and unwanted unbearable aloneness. This can come from many different areas in our lives such as past or present trauma, loss of a relationship, death of a loved one, etc.. Helping clients move through the grief and loss process with support and care is a priority to me.

When you lose something or someone important or close to you, it may be difficult to make sense of life or to feel that others can relate to or understand what you are going through. If you need someone to talk to about what happened, I am here for you. I understand that sadness is often something that shouldn't be fixed, but embraced. I also specialize in helping people who were hurt or abused by the deceased. Grief and Loss is a painful time of life, one that every human being goes through. You are not alone. I will come alongside you through the anger, loneliness, fear, shock, and panic. In the middle of the grief, the way forward can bring hope, strength, peace and freedom from guilt.

I help clients navigate grief and loss by welcoming their deep feelings as a part of the process and navigating them carefully when they become overwhelming. Grief is a growth process like other difficult experiences, and I help clients find the resilience inside themselves to both honor their loss while getting stronger. By honoring the pain of the loss, we can move into a new phase of life that allows for thriving.

Dr. Regina Knox's approach to Grief & Loss Therapy is rooted in a profound understanding of the multifaceted emotional and psychological intricacies that accompany loss. Recognizing that every individual's experience with grief is deeply personal, she offers a tailored approach, blending evidence-based therapeutic techniques with compassionate listening, to aid clients in navigating the tumultuous journey of bereavement. Through her guidance, clients are afforded a safe space to express, process, and ultimately find a pathway toward healing and acceptance. Dr. Knox's holistic and empathetic methodology ensures that individuals do not walk the path of grief alone, but with a seasoned professi

When we lose someone we love, it feels like we have lost a part of ourselves. Something within us has been torn out, leaving a hole that we easily imagine will never heal. The pain can be profound, the feelings of helplessness, or regret, or guilt overwhelming. Having a partnership where you can talk through these feelings can make a huge difference not only in how quickly and how well you are able to move through the process of grieving, but also how you ultimately are able to frame the experience and your memories of the person lost into the narrative of your own self and life as you move forward. What you carry with you afterward is just as important as surviving the hurt of the loss.

So much of my experience as a therapist has roots in supporting clients with grief and loss. Grief is a process, and I can guide you through each phase of grief. We all grieve in our own time, but it's best to do so with a therapist. By allowing the feelings (anger, sadness, frustration, fear, sorrow) to flow through you, the grieving process will happen at a healthier pace. If you feel lost, alone, and struggling to process a loss, I can be your guide. Facing hospice, palliative care, or the loss of a loved one suddenly can each have its own special set of challenges. This is a personal journey, and I am here to offer you support, understanding, and a safe place.

Your unresolved grief, whether from a death, divorce, or the many other types of loss is individual and unique. For over 20 years, I have been assisting survivors recover. Grief is a natural part of life; however, if your sadness, insomnia, anxiety, fears, avoidance and perhaps anger are overwhelming, my experience, understanding and specialty in treating anxiety disorders with cognitive behavioral and compassion-focused counseling will help you gain specific strategies to manage your painful symptoms and come out the other side. To move forward in your recovery, call me at 619-542-0536

Everyone at one time or another experiences loss and goes through the grief process. What helps a person through this is to cognitively process the event. An excellent way to do this is through the EMDR technique. I have received training through the EMDR institute (Emdria) and can assist individuals through times of loss and help them through the grief process. EMDR is one of the most effective methods to help process the loss, allow the person to experience the wave of emotions and bring the feeling and belief of resolve and completion which will help the person move forward.

I use an empathetic and compassionate approach combined with a range of specialized therapeutic techniques, including sensorimotor psychotherapy and internal family systems, to address Grief & Loss. Together we will master the intricacies of the grief process to enable a personalized and profound healing journey for those grappling with one of life's most challenging transitions. Clients will find solace and strength in my care, and I will create a safe space for exploration and growth, fostering resilience and understanding during grief. My methods not only alleviate the immediate pain of loss but also nurture a path towards long-term emotional well-being and empowerment.

There are many forms of loss that can significantly impact a person's life (i.e. losing a job, friendship, home, death of a loved one, giving up a destructive habit or addiction). The pain that accompanies grief and loss can be so overwhelming that it takes all of our will power just to get through the day. Depending on the nature of the loss, it can feel like purpose and passion for living are missing. I assist clients in a 3 step process which involves acceptance of the loss, finding meaning to the pain they are experiencing, and developing goals to help the client continue productively on their life journey.

Grey Matters International and the work of Kevin J. Fleming, Ph.D approaches issues of grief & loss through the lens of innovation----instead of growing the same neural networks responsible for the pain in weekly therapy sessions, we reset the brain to move forward quicker and efficiently by working on the stuck limbic system so as to empower the person with more success and traction. For no one wants to stay in a grief mode for too long; but when you don’t include the brain in your work with someone, you risk describing the water to them while they drown and calling it success. Contact Grey Matters International, Inc now at kevin@kevinflemingphd.com or 877-606-6161.

Grief is only natural after suffering a significant loss. Nevertheless, it can take a great toll on our mental and physical well-being--and just because it is a naturally part of our life experiences, doesn't mean we should suffer alone. When working with clients who are in mourning, I provide warm and patient supportive counseling, as well as effective psychotherapy tailored to help the client cope with feelings of deep sadness and sorrow, with an eye towards ultimately finding meaning and hope moving forward.