Grief and Loss Counseling in Imperial Beach, CA.

Grief is only natural after suffering a significant loss. Nevertheless, it can take a great toll on our mental and physical well-being--and just because it is a naturally part of our life experiences, doesn't mean we should suffer alone. When working with clients who are in mourning, I provide warm and patient supportive counseling, as well as effective psychotherapy tailored to help the client cope with feelings of deep sadness and sorrow, with an eye towards ultimately finding meaning and hope moving forward.

Grief is a potential reaction to a loss of any kind whether through death, divorce, abandonment, separation, job loss, illness, disease diagnosis, kids leaving home, etc. Feelings of anger, resentment, shame, confusion, isolation or abandonment can result. Friends and family may not know what to say or how to provide support. A trained professional, who is profoundly sympathetic, respectful and empathetic, with the skills required to help one navigate through this difficult time, can be critical in helping one regain equilibrium.

Free 30 minute zoom call - Grief & Loss are normal experiences in life. Yet, they are often overwhelming - combining experiences of sadness, fear, anxiety, surprise & disorientation, frustration, worry, loneliness, confusion & more. Grief is truly not meant to be experienced alone. The guidance of a caring therapist as well as the support of loving, friends, family & community is invaluable and truly needed. Grief takes time, comes in waves and needs expression in multiple ways, through tears, writing, talking and the help of a grief counselor.

Grief and loss is, unfortunately, a normal part of living. There is no single "correct" way to grieve: different cultures and even individuals from the same culture grieve differently. The only consistent feature is that grief takes time. The most effective thing anyone can do for someone grieving is to be there—to listen, to empathize, to walk along with the grief. There is no "fixing" grief. But counseling can help prevent normal grief from developing into major depression or other mental health conditions.

People experience many different kinds of grief and loss, from the death of a friend or family member (including pets) to loosing a job or one's health. Therapy for grief and loss can help you through a very difficult and painful transition. Grief is a normal reaction to loss, and allowing yourself to spend time grieving instead of pushing down the feelings and emotions that ought to be expressed can help you to manage through this time in the best way possible. I provide a safe and caring place and a supportive therapeutic relationship as you work through your experience and manage the wide range of emotions you may feel.

When you suffer the loss of a loved one, you certainly will experience great sorrow. But it is also possible that you may experience symptoms similar to clinical depression. It is normal for these symptoms to last for days. But if they continue at a significant level for a week or more, you may need extra support. Grief counseling can be of benefit. I will help you move through the grief process in a constructive and purposeful way. We will engage you in specific interventions that honor your loss, and help you find the meaning in the painful reality you experience. Taking time for purposeful grieving, you learn to re-engage in your normal life, minimizing the risk of clinical depression.

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.

Everyone at one time or another experiences loss and goes through the grief process. What helps a person through this is to cognitively process the event. An excellent way to do this is through the EMDR technique. I have received training through the EMDR institute (Emdria) and can assist individuals through times of loss and help them through the grief process. EMDR is one of the most effective methods to help process the loss, allow the person to experience the wave of emotions and bring the feeling and belief of resolve and completion which will help the person move forward.

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.

There are many forms of loss that can significantly impact a person's life (i.e. losing a job, friendship, home, death of a loved one, giving up a destructive habit or addiction). The pain that accompanies grief and loss can be so overwhelming that it takes all of our will power just to get through the day. Depending on the nature of the loss, it can feel like purpose and passion for living are missing. I assist clients in a 3 step process which involves acceptance of the loss, finding meaning to the pain they are experiencing, and developing goals to help the client continue productively on their life journey.

Grief and loss can be associated with the loss of someone close to you. It can be associated with the loss of a significant job. It can be associated with illness and the loss of abilities to function normally or even the potential or inevitable of life due to chronic illness. This usually managed by processing feelings and emotions, reminiscing about the past, the loss, recognizing disappointment and feelings of hopelessness and despair. There is supportive therapy to help with progressing through the emotions and returning to more functional life process.

When we lose someone we love, it feels like we have lost a part of ourselves. Something within us has been torn out, leaving a hole that we easily imagine will never heal. The pain can be profound, the feelings of helplessness, or regret, or guilt overwhelming. Having a partnership where you can talk through these feelings can make a huge difference not only in how quickly and how well you are able to move through the process of grieving, but also how you ultimately are able to frame the experience and your memories of the person lost into the narrative of your own self and life as you move forward. What you carry with you afterward is just as important as surviving the hurt of the loss.

Grief can be a difficulty beast to manage, a beast which can surface at any moment without warning and often comes in waves. When I’ve been grieving I’ve felt like I was in an emotional pong ball. With the aid of tools like EMDR CBT and guided visualizations I can help you to heal and leave the pain, loss, and grief in the past while holding on to the happy memories. Additionally, I can provide tools, coping skills, and other resources to help you manage this particular issue.