Grief and Loss Counseling in Vineyard, CA.

Grief is a normal part of loving and losing the person you loved. For many, however, it can become overwhelming and even lead to symptoms of depression. Or maybe you think you should be over it by now, and can't understand why you're not. For five years, I volunteered with Hospice, helping people with complicated bereavement issues to come to terms with the loss of the one who had been so important in their lives. You don't have to carry this alone. Get the support and relief you need as you say good-bye to your loved one so that you can move forward again in your life.

I tell my clients that everyone grieves in their own, unique way, and that there is no "right way" to grieve. Sooner or later, we all face major losses of loved ones, and the grief involved can feel devastating. I provide loving support and help my clients connect with grief and loss support groups and other supports. We explore what the loss means for my client and ways to honor the memories of the loved one. We also explore and process unfinished, incomplete, or difficult losses that involve anger, shame, resentment, and deep disappointment.

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.

Are you using alcohol, substances, or addictive behaviors to cope with grief and loss? Although they provide relief in the short term, their long-term effects on your relationships and health can make it even more difficult to cope. Through a compassionate non-judgmental approach, I help clients explore their relationship to grief and loss so that they can overcome addictive coping strategies. If you're looking for another way forward, feel free to reach out and we can set up a free consultation to discuss further.

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.

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.

Grief is a natural response to loss. You may associate it with the death of a loved one- and that type of loss does often cause the most intense emotions. But any loss can cause grief, including: a relationship breakup, loss of health, losing a job, loss of financial stability, a miscarriage, death of a pet, loss of safety after trauma, a loved one's serious illness Please note that there is no "normal" timetable for grieving. As an experienced therapist, I can help you work through your intense emotions and overcome obstacles to your grieving.

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.

Grief and loss comes in all forms, from the death of a pet, to moving, to the loss of a dream, to the death of a child or spouse, and more. My clients discover grief and loss are a process (which includes: shock/disbelief, anger, blaming, depression/sadness, bargaining, and denial), and how to move through that process to an increased state of acceptance. As their state of acceptance increases, my clients experience an increase in forgiveness, healing, freedom and hope for the present and future. My clients see how they can begin to feel good about their life and future again.

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.

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 and loss is a part of so much more than many recognize in every day life. Most folks are familiar with the Kubler-Ross stages, but processing grief is much more than those five stages. There are tasks of mourning that can be explored and expanded with support in therapy. There are secondary losses as a result of an initial loss. Grief impacts how open we feel to new relationships in our lives. I work with clients to help them understand their responses to grief, move through their grief and feelings through expressive arts and verbal processing.

Grief can occur from losing a relationship, losing a loved one or many other transitions or losses. Life seems to go on around you, but the hurt and sadness can take a long time to recover from. Family can only help for so long. Getting professional help is a step toward the beginnings of recovery. Overcoming grief is about processing your emotions, honoring the loss and creating small steps to a new life. Timing is individual and not everyone grieves in the same way. I would be honored to help you start feeling better.

Grief and loss can feel so lonely. Loss comes in many forms and often needs the support of another individual for healing to occur. As we explore your loss experience, you will be able to move through the grief and return to a state of joy and peace. You will learn the stages of grief and loss; the steps to move through the process; and, find support in a safe environment.

Loss is like an emotional injury that requires grief to heal. There is a natural healing process that occurs, but sometimes our grief does not resolve and therapy can help support you during the natural process of healing or help when healing is not progressing. I will help you accept the reality of the loss, have a safe place to experience and understand the pain of grief, and adjust to the loss and all that it requires to create a "new normal." Moving forward means finding meaning in life in spite of the loss and also holding on to and remembering the parts of the loss that held joy.

Each experience of grief is unique, complex, and personal, and I will tailor treatment to meet your specific needs. I will help you find different ways to maintain healthy connections with the deceased through memory, reflection, ritual, or dialogue about the deceased and with the deceased. I will help you view your grief and loss with curiosity and without judgment, in an effort to understand and heal. I can help you recognize and access your inner strength, autonomy, and capacity to step back into life after loss.

I am a Certified Advanced Grief Specialist. Grief is a natural process following a meaningful loss and it can influence physical, emotional, behavioral & spiritual aspects of our lives. Grief is most associated with the death of a loved one, but also occurs with the loss of a pet, job, relationship, and changes in your health. People cope with grief in a variety of ways. The intensity and duration of grieving differs between individuals. Therapy is a safe place to express & explore your feelings. I will help you learn to cope and transform your pain into healthier ways of meaning and remembrance. Through therapy you will find permission to live your life and develop connection again.

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.

Life is full of endings and losses of all kinds - some natural and expected, others tragic and unexpected. Many times, your friends and family are not able to offer the depth of support needed to help with the pain and anguish you are feeling, as much as they love you and do their very best. Having a safe, nurturing place to grieve and heal can help you integrate and adjust to losses and endings in your life. Every ending is also a new beginning. You deserve as much time as you need to experience your grief. Finding meaning and hope after loss is the next step after grieving. Let's work on both!

When experiencing a loss, having the support of a compassionate and understanding therapist can be very helpful. I can support you through the difficult experience of grief by helping you gain insight into your unique grief experience, and by supporting you in increasing your access to your own set of internal coping mechanisms and external tools. You deserve compassionate support during this difficult time.