Grief and Loss Counseling in Lakeland Village, CA.

Dr. Laura Adams is a licensed MFT and Psychoanalyst in Mission Viejo and Newport Beach CA, specializing in grief & loss counseling and psychotherapy. Dr. Adams counsels Individuals, families and couples using a Psychodynamic approach as a way to help patients to process feelings and experience following the loss of a loved one. Dr. Adams can be reached at (949) 244-1992. www.SouthOCTherapist.com

Is your grief stopping you from living the fulfilling life you desire? I believe that while grief is a natural reaction to experiencing loss, the process differs for everyone. Grief can have physical, cognitive, behavioral, social, and philosophical dimensions. I work with individuals and families on processing grief as the difficult and eventual acceptance of loss. The loss becomes a vital part of one’s life narrative life rather than its center. Healthy grieving is a gradual process toward coping with the loss and developing a renewed interest in daily activities. I understand the devastation of loss. Please feel free to call me at 949.370.4726 or e-mail at info@southoccounseling.com.

Grief and loss counseling helps individuals process the loss of a loved one. Sometimes our losses feel so overwhelming, we lose our way and we are unable to use normal coping mechanisms. I work to help such individuals express their emotions and thoughts about the loss - including guilt, anger, anxiety, sadness, loneliness, relief, confusion, anger, or numbness. When words are too difficult, especially with children, I use art and play therapy.

Grieving is a process. I can help and will walk you through the stages of the grief cycle. We will work on coping skills and finding ways outside the therapy room to process the loss. I will support you until you feel that you no longer need/want my support. I will also suggest resources that will help. Often when someone is grieving, there's a tendency to isolate. Don't grieve alone!

Grief & Loss is part of the rhythm of life through our growing, living, and dying. No matter what phase we are at in life, loss has been experienced, and when that loss is heightened by death or suicide of a loved one, grief can feel overwhelming and unbearable. I offer support around the pain in grief & loss so that you can heal and have the quality of life that honors the loss.

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.

Living in relationship with others leads to pain of loss when those relationships change or come to an end. But Grief work is helpful for more than just the death of a loved one- marital affairs, the empty nest, and retirement are other times of grief in the family life cycle. I will create a safe place for you to identify and express your feelings as you work through the stages of grief, with the goal of coming to a place of acceptance where you can once again move forward in your life.

As a certified Bereavement Counselor, I help adults and children who are struggling with the process of grief. The journey through loss is not about letting go, it is about creating a new, and different relationship with your loved one that provides comfort and that is everlasting. There are no "shoulds", despite what well-meaning friends and familiy members might tell you. I will help you get in touch with what is right for you, and you alone.

Although grief is an inevitable experience in life, coping with loss can be immobilizing. Because each individual is unique, finding the support you need to move through to a place of peace and acceptance is vital. I work with clients to help them process the pain of loss by addressing the physical, emotional, and spiritual issues that may be keeping them from resolving their pain and moving forward to a place of healing and acceptance. We work together to build a structure that both motivates and enables the healing process to begin and ultimately gives them the opportunity to overcome and triumph over grief.

Loss is part of life. Many times we can get overwhelmed by loss and start to shut down. Together we can help you to process the many complex feelings that you may experience during the grieving process and help you to learn how to accept and come to terms with loss in your life. It's important to reach out to others when you are hurting and not to isolate yourself. Finding the right therapist may the first step to beginning your healing and finding new and healthy ways to cope.

I have worked with various types of depression, loss, hopelessness and grief since I have been in this counseling field for close to 30 years. This is what a client recently stated..." I wasn't able to function on my job. I had to have someone else do my work! I'm now doing GREAT at work! Before I was only able to sleep 2-3 hours a night. Now...My sleep's back to normal! No more thoughts of suicide and no more depression! I can't believe it! Now...I'm... EVEN... happy! I've been doing the things you've suggested and THEY"VE WORKED! I feel blessed! All this within a few visits?!"

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.

Losing someone you love can leave you shocked, numb, sad, lonely, confused or frustrated. You cannot NOT grieve. It needs to be expressed in a healthy way so that you can heal and eventually feel joy again. One of my specialties is working with people that are grieving. It doesn't matter if the loss was recent or a long time ago. I help my clients to accept, allow, express and cope with their feelings of loss and sadness, so that it doesn't rob them of feeling the joy they can eventually have in life.