Grief and Loss Counseling in North Belle Vernon, PA.

Grief and loss is a difficult process that we all have to deal with at some point in our lives. Grief can involve a lot more feelings besides sadness. I explain the stages of grief so clients are aware of the many emotions they may go through in the grief process. The last stage is acceptance. This leads to a discussion about the four tasks of mourning. The four tasks include accepting the loss, working through the pain, adjusting to life without their loved one and finding a way to stay connected to their loved one while moving on with life. I help clients navigate these four tasks and support them while they are going through the process.

To help a client cope through grief and loss, I sometimes use the example of how an oyster forms a pearl. The oyster ingests a grain of sand that causes pain, and which cannot be removed or dissolved (just like we cannot eliminate the pain of missing a loved one). So the oyster begins to encase the grain of sand with layers of calcium-like substance, that makes the grain of sand easier to carry and hold, without the rough edges. Coping through grief and loss can involve learning how to unpack, experience, and adjust how we carry the pain. Therapy can help you soften and encase the pain of loss, forming a "pearl" around it that is easier to carry with you, and perhaps make it more precious.

Grieving is a normal process filled with pain. Sometimes the process can be made easier by talking to a someone. People who are grieving the loss of a loved one or the loss of a relationship are often confused about the meaning of the loss and have raw emotions just below (or sometimes directly on) the surface. I provide three things: 1) a compassionate place to talk about the loss, 2) ways to figure out what the loss means to you, and 3) ways to take the loving memories of the person in your heart while you manage to move on with life with a healthy sadness rather than intense despair.

Losing anyone often comes at a price to the inner self. With techniques geared at releasing guilt, pain and resentment, the process of loss/ grieving can happen in a healthy and non-self harming way. This allows for an increased strength and comfort to come through during this time of pain, so you can find in you a strength and hope to walk tall again.

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.

No matter how much you may want to, you cannot return to your "pre-loss" state--the person you were before the loss. My work with you will center on helping you to adapt to life after the loss. It is important for you to realize that everyone grieves differently, so don't you compare your grief journey to someone else's, and don't let others do it to you. Come in and let's have a talk and we'll see what we can do to make life better for you, and we will laugh while we do it!