Grief and Loss Counseling in Lawndale, CA.

Nothing in life can be more difficult and painful than dealing with loss. When we love deeply we will also grieve deeply. When we don't know how to grieve well, prolong sadness and pain can remain. The therapeutic relationship is one place where a safe place can be found to open fully the pain of loss. I also offer divorce support and grief groups where a community of suffers can join in the journey of recovery.

How we grieve depends deeply upon our own personal experiences and pain. I work to assist each individual to grasp the depth and poignancy of this ended relationship and give them the tools that they need to live without this person/creature. Once this is completed, I help them to embrace the qualities that they can make part of their own legacy.

Grief following a loss is not only normal, but part of the healing process. Sometimes however, a subset of people experiencing normal grief find themselves drifting into a clinical depression. Dr. Levine offers supportive therapy for those experiencing normal grief and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for that subset of grieving people who grief has gotten out of control and morphed into a more severe emotional state of despair and hopelessness. Dr. Levine has over 30+ years of experience both professional and personal dealing with the grieving process. He is here to help 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.

Saying goodbye to someone you loved, and who has loved you, is bittersweet. The thought of not seeing a beloved family member or friend again just plain hurts. It’s normal for someone to feel bitter, even angry during this time. I can help young adults grieve the death of a loved one, whether it be a person ... or a pet. I support my clients in making sense of their loss and healing their pain, so that they are able to move forward again in their lives.

Grief & loss is often felt with the death of a loved one. It can also be experienced from the loss of a relationship, your health, your job, or your home. The grieving process can be complicated. You may love someone who suffers from a significant memory loss due to Alzheimer’s, stroke or a traumatic brain injury. You may feel guilty for grieving the loss of the person you knew before the illness because you feel you should be grateful he/she is still alive. As a person loses their memory, an important part of who they are gets lost. It is appropriate for this grieving process to begin before death. I would love to support you through whatever loss you are currently experiencing.

Confronting the pain of loss may feel too intense, but counseling can bring relief. How? Talking about your sadness, regrets, guilt, anger, etc., will help you release thoughts and feelings… slowly accept how the loss impacts your life… give the lost loved one a new place in your heart... and eventually adjust to your changed life and often-new self. You can re-discover the joy of life without forgetting what you have lost.

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.

It is not a coincidence that losing a loved one feels like losing part of ourselves: I believe that is exactly what is happening. The people (or animals) that are closest to us help to make us the people we are. Whether through the end of a relationship, death, or moving away, the loss of someone dear to us presents a profound shift in our own life story, like a sudden storm on a calm sea. How do we navigate that? Do we sail on? Change direction? How do we even know where to begin?

Grief is a normal reaction to any type of loss. The therapeutic objective is to help bereaved individuals recover from the emotional pain caused by the loss. Therapy goals consist of: recovery from the loss to help the client feel better, choosing a healthier approach to grieving, finding new meaning for living, reducing fears and unhealthy ways for dealing with the loss, and having the ability to enjoy memories and connecting to the deceased rather than resorting to isolation/depression. My therapeutic approach consists of educating about the stages of loss, working on issues complicating the grief process, validating emotions and teaching better coping mechanisms to handle the loss.

Coping with grief and loss is unique to each person and situation. Grief is a natural response to losing someone or something that has meant a great deal to you and been part of your life. Even changes in your health, career, or lifestyle, can cause grief. I approach each case by starting where you are. Although there are different "stages" to working through grief and loss, each person experiences these stages in different ways, durations and may even revisit some of these stages multiple times throughout the process. My goal is to allow you the opportunity to experience each stage at your own pace while focusing on maintaining your health.

I help clients navigate grief and loss by welcoming their deep feelings as a part of the process and navigating them carefully when they become overwhelming. Grief is a growth process like other difficult experiences, and I help clients find the resilience inside themselves to both honor their loss while getting stronger. By honoring the pain of the loss, we can move into a new phase of life that allows for thriving.

Grief and loss is a very personal and individual experience. Finding one's words in relationship to a significant loss can be very helpful and healing. Traumatic loss, out of time loss and abandonment are specific losses that may need a sensitive and unique understanding. In a safe and empathic environment, psychotherapy for grief and loss can be a part of the healing process.