Grief and Loss Counseling in Wake Forest, NC.

There is a range of emotions involved when there is a major loss, whether that loss was a death or the end of a relationship. Not all your reactions may fit neatly into “stages” and that is okay. Many people are hesitant to pursue grief counseling because they fear that “moving on” means forgetting their loved one or giving up on a dream. Counseling after a loss can help to find a balance of honoring what you lost and deciding what you would like your life to be like now. Grief is a personal process and counseling can help you feel comfortable to go at the pace that is right for you.

I specialize in treating grief and loss, and believe that counseling after losing a loved one can be a helpful, healthy and effective way to process feelings and work towards healing. I like to educate my clients about grief, because there are many misconceptions about grief. I walk with people through their pain and work hard to help them honor and memorialize their loved ones as they work hard to keep living their lives with purpose and value.

Working through grief and loss can be confusing and feel isolating. With my approach, I can walk alongside you through the different stages of grief, help you identify the unique ways you are currently grieving now and will need to grieve in the future, and bring you back to a place of resolution regarding your loss. I'm available for free 20-minute phone consultations or by email to further discuss your needs, answer any questions you might have, and outline what the therapy process can look like for you.

Grief and loss may be a normal part of life, but that doesn't mean that it is simple or easy. One of the most important things to experience when grieving is someone who is willing and able to listen to you. Often, caring others are so overwhelmed that they don't know how to respond, leaving the grieving person feeling alone and possibly stuck. I will be here for you to walk through this journey with you, providing a listening ear and helping you explore what you need to only when you are ready in order to travel through the grief process in a health fashion.

Clients with eating disorders must grieve the loss of their thin fantasy if they are to recover successfully. I challenge clients to address what beliefs they have long held about who they will be, how they will feel, what opportunities they will have and satisfaction they will achieve when they are thin. I ask them to reach for those things now, in the bodies they currently have instead of waiting until that day when they see themselves as "good enough". Believing that they must be thin to deserve good in their lives keeps them stuck . The willingness to grieve the thin fantasy allows them to offer a bit of what they really crave, unconditional love.

Grieving can be experienced in the death of someone you loved, or in a number of other areas including job transitions, moving, separation or break ups, having children, children leaving the home, or other ways as well. Major changes or transitions can be very difficult to cope with. I help people adjust to the different grieving stages, better understand them, and learn ways to heal from loss. Using the Kubler-Ross model as well as utilizing a person's supports and strengths, I will guide you through this journey to a place of acceptance and peace.

Our Therapists & Counselors are trained in helping clients navigate grief and/or loss. We understand the difficulties associated with processing trauma and ensure our treatment approaches and goals are designed with the individual needs of the client. We believe the client is in control of their needs and we are here to guide them through the process.

When you experience loss, it is normal to feel clumsy, confused, and overwhelmed or numb at times. Many people feel hopeless and worthless, and sometimes guilty and "left behind". My practice is focused on couples, and we often face our losses together as a couple. Counseling can help you learn how to be there for each other during your grieving. Counseling can help you if you desire to: Get the support you need to recover from loss. Identify the stages of grief and your progress through them. Find out what to expect, so you can stop wondering if your grief is "normal". Let go of painful guilt and shame about your losses, while building hope and renewed interest in your future.