Grief and Loss Counseling in Avocado Heights, CA.

Grieving can be such a complicated process, filled with mixed emotions. Even seeking closure can feel confusing and wrong at times. Therapy can provide a place to gently face painful feelings and thoughts. You do not need to stay stuck in the suffering, confusion, or pain. By processing through these layers with a trained professional, you can gain understanding, peace, and healing.

Loss can take different forms, and going through loss is one of life's biggest challenges. I understand this and believe it is essential for those going through a loss to talk about it, feel it, and grieve it. In time, healing will occur but time itself does not heal. I will provide a safe place for you to explore how your loss affects your life and help you to use the resources, time, and tools necessary to not only get through it -- but grow through it -- and survive.

Gentleness and patience are the key words for those in the process of grief and loss. When working with those who have lost a loved one, whether that be a close family member or a beloved animal companion, gentleness, empathy, and patience are of utmost importance. When working with clients who are experiencing loss. I provide special space for silence. The profound experience of loss is unique to each individual and requires space for the pain of the loss to emerge and careful regard for the mulit-dimensional experience of the empty space left behind. We will honor the healing process while simultaneously creating opportunity for transition to hope in a new season of emergent life.

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.

Loss can be experienced in many different ways - death (expected or sudden), ending of a relationship, and/or life transitions. Well meaning friends and family can try to get us to "move past it" faster than we are ready to. These interactions can be hurtful and sometimes add to our pain. Working through issues of grief and loss can give you a safe place to express your feelings so that you can work through your disbelief, pain, and anger to a place of healing.

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 dont 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 & 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.

No one grieves exactly the same way. While some may grieve a loss within a short amount of time, others take much longer and both are normal. Problem areas may be an extended grief process, along with other conditions, such as depression, medical conditions, or many other life's stressors and transitions. There is no set schedule towards grieving as some individuals may show pain and suffering openly whereas others hide their sorrow but may show it in ways that even they are unaware, i.e., medical conditions, struggles in every day life projects, and inability to connect with others. Psychotherapy can help; I have a great deal of experience with grief and loss of loved ones and/or pets too

Grief can occur after someone dies, when a pet dies, or when a significant event occurs (loss of a job, loss related to injury or disability, etc). Everyone grieves in different ways and over different periods of time. I tailor the way I work with clients to address their specific needs and experiences. Dealing with grief and loss can be hard. I'll do be best to support you in the process.

Loss comes in many forms -- the end of a life, a relationship, a job, an identity or phase of life, a home, a culture, or even losing "what could have been." The experience of loss can be one of the most isolating and confusing experiences a person goes through. You do not need to be alone in your grief -- however messy it is. I will come alongside you to help you find meaning and peace with your particular loss, so that you can begin to walk forward again.

I have worked with victims of trauma and abuse for over 15 years. I have been trained on many different methods to helping a client through their trauma so that they can begin living without PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) symptoms. Many people come to therapy because of the nightmares, trouble sleeping, having flashbacks, and having intimacy issues because they cannot let their guard down. For 10 years I worked using strictly a “person centered” approach to therapy. That means that I would let the survivor tell their story in their own way and not really guide them much. My main job was to make sure they felt safe and figured out ways to be safe. This process took a very long time, but it ....

When you lose something or someone important or close to you, it may be difficult to make sense of life or to feel that others can relate to or understand what you are going through. If you need someone to talk to about what happened, I am here for you. I understand that sadness is often something that shouldn't be fixed, but embraced. I also specialize in helping people who were hurt or abused by the deceased. Grief and Loss is a painful time of life, one that every human being goes through. You are not alone. I will come alongside you through the anger, loneliness, fear, shock, and panic. In the middle of the grief, the way forward can bring hope, strength, peace and freedom from guilt.

Grief counseling helps people cope with grief and mourning following the loss of a loved one or due to major life changes that trigger feelings of grief (i.e. job loss or divorce). It provides a space for individuals to work through and process the complex emotions surrounding loss. Healthy grieving results in remembering the loss with a newfound sense of peace, rather than searing pain.

My approach to Grief & Loss is for the client to be aware of the 7 stages of grief and to have them understand that their feelings about their loss are normal. Many times when someone close to us dies, we question whether not crying, crying too much, or perhaps feeling angry at the world is OK. These are all normal feelings and reactions people have to loss. Once a client understands this, they can continue to grieve without having any questions about their own actions or feelings.

No One Should Be Alone in Their Grieving! Grief and loss is a very delicate and personal process. The pain and hurt one experiences through grief and loss is so deep. I believe prayer, reading God’s word, and processing your experience in your own time is helpful. There is no one way to heal from loss. Each individual has their own personal journey, but this is a process where having a supportive, caring, and knowledgeable counselor can be of assistance. No one should deal with loss alone.

Losing a baby is the hardest challenge that any parent can face. There are no words to describe the grief and pain that follow. It is a loss that cannot be measured. Parents can feel utterly alone, wondering if they can survive as relatives and friends are encouraging them to move on. Anger can mount in trying to understand why. Grief and loss take time to heal. I work with fathers who have lost a baby, had a stillbirth, termination, or lost a baby in neonatal care. Take the time to reach out for help. This is a difficult journey that takes time and is slow. The death of a baby is hard for many to understand. I encourage you to care for yourself and reach out for help.

The loss of a loved one, colleague, friend, or pet can be devastating. Grief is the normal process of honoring the missed loved one, but sometimes we can feel overwhelmed or stuck with sadness, anger, regret, guilt, confusion, hopelessness... or a thousand (million?) other painful emotions. We help individuals and families journey through the difficult grieving process and ultimately find a day where they can find peace, comfort, and joy on this side of eternity.