Grief and Loss Counseling in Castro Valley, CA.

Children express grief differently from adults and their grief can look different at various ages. For example an infant will experience the loss of a significant caregiver through his or her senses (father's cologne, mother's skin, nanny's voice). A school aged child may ask a lot of questions or not seem affected at all from the outside. While many children can be resilient, they are often the "forgotten mourners." Unresolved grief can lead to problems down the road.

I first help you ground yourself out of the shock of the loss, feel calmer and able to connect with the rest of your life. Then we process the feelings that come up in layers - the stages of grief - until they resolve. Often they tap into previous losses, or negative beliefs about yourself, which also need to be healed. We can use EMDR and/or body-related awareness and release techniques to do this work. I always use whatever skills and pacing work for you.

I help men cope with grief and loss, to find meaning in their pain, and to move forward in their lives. My clinical work over the past 10 years has taught me that the way men cope with grief can sometimes be different than women. Cultural ideals and "male training" can lead many men to suffer alone in stoic silence. But you are not alone, and you do not have to be. The benefit of psychotherapy with a therapist who specializes in psychotherapy with men, is that you are much more likely to feel heard and understood in a way that is right for you. Over my career, I have been honored help many men transform themselves. I am happy to offer a free initial phone consultation. Give me a call today.

Get emotional support to cope with the death of a beloved person or pet and for life changes. There is loss in changing or losing a job, moving, getting married, having a baby, growing older and other life transitions. Talking to a therapist can help you process the loss and let the feelings flow through you instead of stagnating and causing problems. Talking to a therapist can relieve some pain and help you find meaning in loss and death.

Grief can be a mysterious process. Just as every organism is unique, everyone's process of grief is different. Some of us may grieve for a few days while others may take years. Some of us may find ourselves in anger or sadness due to the loss, while others may have difficulty feeling anything. All are normal and completely valid. In working with clients experiencing grief, that is the basis of my work: that all of what you are feeling and experiencing is okay and valid. My main goal is to provide a safe space for you to experience all of your emotions in result of your loss so that you can heal and find a sense of peace.

When someone we love passes, there are no words to describe our hurt. We may experience pain and alienation. Our world may seem shattered and without meaning. Our life may feel lifeless and dull. While there are no predictable responses to grief, these are some typical responses: denial, anger, confusion, depression, and eventually acceptance. Grief is most challenging when it gets complicated. Other issues can be entangled with our loss. Our grieving process can get stuck. When we are grieving, we most need sensitivity, patience, understanding, kindness, and caring.

More than 35 million Americans are living with some form of chronic mental or physical illness or disability. The vast majority depend upon their families for care. Caring for a family member who is ill can have a dramatic effect upon a family. Although it can provide opportunities for closeness, it can also be stressful. If you or someone you love is ill, you may need psychological support to continue to live life as optimally as possible. You may also need help in processing your grief, especially if your loved one has become debilitated or has died. Please call me to discuss your particular needs and how counseling can help. I can be reached at 415-533-9724.

Loss, whether sudden or not, is often one of life's most challenging experiences. Many people enter therapy with me grieving the loss of a family member, or the end of a relationship, or a difficult change in a work situation. The grief that can follow such losses has its own rhythm and timeline; as much as we would like to "get over" our pain, it is often our effort to do so that stunts our own healing. As a therapist, I have seen again and again that the more we can lovingly attend to our suffering, the more we are able to move through it, and grow as people in the process. I have helped many people find their way through the grief process to a place of healing and peace.

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 believe grief is not a linear process. It is a very personal experience. Each person's journey through grief is unique and should be honored. My approach in therapy is to meet you where you are and partner with you to help you cope with this very painful experience. My specialties include perinatal loss, pregnancy, SIDS, newborn and infant. I have also worked with families who have lost a child or a parent. I do sibling work as well.

Grief is a natural response to loss and it takes many forms. Everyone grieves differently and contrary to popular belief, there is no set amount of time grief is "supposed to last." I acknowledge a client's unique response to grief in a sensitive and compassionate way while letting him/her know that his/her response is normal. I help clients recognize and understand the wide range of feelings that come with loss. I assist clients in developing healthy coping strategies based on their innate strengths.

Grief, if left blocked, can be a significant drain on our energy. It is possible (and common) to move at such a fast pace through life that we are completely unaware of unprocessed feelings. When sadness, loss, and regret are identified, expressed, and released we reclaim our vitality and improve self-esteem. Another benefit of this process is improvement in our relationships. I provide a safe, comfortable environment to explore these issues.

Having lost a son, I know from personal experience about grief and how to help people work through the stages of grief and loss. It is never easy, and I always approach the person seeking help with tremendous gentleness and compassion. Since everyone has a different response to loss I find that the best counseling is collaborative, finding a way together through what sometimes seems insurmountable. I also make myself available by phone on a daily basis. Especially in the early phase of grief such support can make a tremendous difference. Depending on the client's comfort level, I offer a wider, spiritual perspective and non-sectarian spiritual practices as well.