Grief and Loss Counseling in Westport, MA.

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.

I support clients in grief work by validating their experiences, sharing their pain, normalizing and educating them about the stages and transitions after loss and helping them re-center themselves in their lives to find purpose and meaning. Clients need compassion and a witness to share the story of the loss and often struggle to redefine their lives without the person who has died. I help them to work on that redefinition as they shift between and among the stages of loss.

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. .

All individuals, if they live enough years, experience the death of a significant other. However, not all bereavement occurs due to a loss from death, yet the emotional pain can be as severe if not worse. Separation, divorce, ambiguous loss, chronic or terminal illness, or loss of status (e.g., financial or social) also involve a grieving process for individuals, couples or families. Many times, the repercussions of a loss are manifested in other presenting problems, such as school or behavioral problems in children and relational discord in couples. Working this through in a safe therapeutic environment will help you develop a new identity, and reestablish balance in you relationships.

Grief is a mountain that I can help you climb by restructuring your thinking concerning the loss. You can move on to new chapters in your life. Although grief is a natural expression of loss, you may find it difficult to cope. I help you through it while retaining a healthy perspective on life. Through the grief journey, you realize you can enjoy your life again, and the loss does not have to define you.

Dealing with grief and loss are two of the five big emotionally distressing situations one can find themselves dealing with. It can be something big, such as the loss of a loved one to something smaller such as losing a family heirloom or an opportunity to get into a college or specific job. All if left unattended can lead to more severe situations. Learn to build your own psychological first aid kit in order to prevent or lessen the effects of smaller emotional "cuts" or allow yourself to sit with someone who can help you as your process a larger life event (death, chronic health issue) making it more manageable and returning you to a level of functionality before it occurred.