Grief and Loss Counseling in Anna Maria, FL.

Grief is a normal reaction to loss. Grief has different forms and sometimes is seen as “acceptable” – loss of an elderly parent for example, and sometimes is “hidden” such as contracting a disease such as HIV or a miscarriage for example. Whether the loss is seen or hidden, it still causes a physical and emotional reaction which is absolutely normal. I help people understand their grief and its process and help them move through the stages of grief.

Grief and loss can be so difficult to manage and come out of nowhere. When we work together, we will gently learn the about the grief journey you are experiencing. As we learn your life experiences, we may find that some of the distress is rooted in early childhood trauma and attachment wounding. We will welcome all parts of yourself and learn about the challenging messages you may have grown up with that manifested into the distress you feel today. Disordered eating can be a messenger, an alarm telling you that it is time to heal experiences from earlier in life. I am trained in using EMDR, Emotion Focused Therapy and Expressive Arts to help you become your best self.

Life can throw some seriously tough challenges our way, and when we go through difficult losses, it can hit us like a ton of bricks. Sometimes, these losses pile up, and it's like an avalanche of emotions that we can't escape. I'm here to walk alongside you shedding light through what seems like a dark path. I get it because I've been through tough times too. I use some special therapies like EMDR and Trauma Informed Therapy that can help find hope and renewed purpose. Many find this relief in 1 to 3 sessions. It's like giving your heart some room to breathe and find its way back to hope in the midst of deep sadness.

As an experienced Christian Counselor and ordained pastor, I’ve supported many men through the grief process. If you’re grieving, I will provide a supportive space for you to process your emotions. Because grief is a normal part of being human, I can’t take it away or rush you through it. However, I can help you identify barriers to grief, and help you prevent the grief process from becoming stuck. I know grief professionally. But I also know grief personally. Losing one of my best friends and my beloved grandparents was hard enough, but facing the untimely death of my father was, and is, a uniquely painful experience. If given the chance, I would be honored to help you process your grief.

I am sincerely sorry you are suffering. When you lose someone, or something, important, it can be so very painful. I have a very high level of training in helping people with these sorts of pains. You may have lost a person, a relationship, or perhaps a pet? I understand how bad such losses can be. It can feel like no one will ever understand. But you will receive my full attention, support, and high level of both academic and clinical training as we work together to attempt to sensitively, properly process your loss and slowly increase your quality of life. I know you might be feeling at your worst, or even worse than your worst. I hope to have the priveledge of supporting you.

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 a life long journey we are thrust upon, oftentimes involuntarily, whether it is a reaction to loss of a loved one or a major life change/transition. While on your journey I can offer support by providing a safe and caring environment where permission is granted to grieve and encouragement given to share your story and where you can process your feelings, learn coping skills and ways to regain a sense of purpose, and the importance of self-care.

Losing someone or something is incredibly hard. I believe that one of the great myths that we are told is simply that “time heals all wounds.” Time can actually reinforce the pain of loss and it is important to mourn and grieve that which we no longer have. I am honored to partner with my clients on their journey through healing and finding peace after a loss. I look forward to the opportunity to work with you.

Grief is hard. Grief is natural. Animals grieve. Grief is something we feel deep in our bodies and can be disorienting and destabilizing. Grief brings up questions about who we are, the world, the existence or goodness of God, and purpose and futility of life. Dealing with grief, especially when the loss is traumatic and unexpected, requires a slow and tender space to allow the grief to move through our body and to settle in our hearts with warmth and memory. I am here to help you grieve the loss of your loved one, experience, health , future or even your beloved pet. .

A lot of people run from grief work - I don't. I understand the pain of loss and I will help you through the darkness. Grief is a very profound and personal experience. The pain of loss never goes away completely - that person will always be an important part of your life and experience. I am happy to help you walk through that pain so that you are not alone in your grief.

Grief and loss is always difficult and people often don't know where to turn to. When working with clients with these issues, I make sure I listen empathetically. Often times what needed most is a listening ear. I make suggestions to help clients through the grieving process which is usually some gradual behavioral steps to get back into the flow of life. We sometimes will have a ceremony to honor the loss, and I encourage clients to turn to whatever their spiritual beliefs might be for support.

With my experience in ministry, in counseling, and in life-coaching, I’ve helped men work through the complicated emotions around grief and loss. As men we feel pressure to be a “rock” for everyone else. Then our wives tell us to open up and feel our feelings. But do they really want to see us fall apart? Like many things, the truth is somewhere in the middle. Chances are that you’ve bravely put your feelings on hold to care for others, and regardless of what the world says, there’s love and nobility in that. And at the same time, you need a place to be real and work through the pain. If you’re ready to take the next step and face what needs to be faced, man to man, I’m here to help.

The stages of grief are universal & experienced by people from all walks of life. Coping with death is a deeply personal experience that often leads to isolation & depression. In grief counseling, you can safely explore & learn to cope with the overwhelming feelings of sadness, anger & helplessness in order to eventually achieve a more peaceful acceptance of your loss.