Grief and Loss Counseling in Lomita, CA.

Grief is a normal part of our lives, but it feels so jolting and unnatural when we're in the midst of it. We can experience grief as a result of a loss of a loved one, a job, a miscarriage...any loss that changes our lives or our future. In our therapy work together, we'll evaluate the loss itself, dreams and hopes connected to it, and the different feelings that will hit you along the way. I want to walk through your loss with you.

We are so lucky to have people in our lives that we love and whom have made an impact. It is a painful thing to have to say goodbye to that person. It is a process which is unique to each individual. No one can determine how long you will grieve for or exactly how you will navigate the grieving stages. With understanding, empathy and some tools to help you through the suffering, you can move through grief in a healthy way. If you feel you are struggling with grief then getting professional help is the next step.

Grief and Loss are some of the most real and difficult emotions and feelings to deal with and to cope and live with. Loss of a beloved family relationship, dear friend, mentor, as well as a beloved pet can cause a shock and vast loss that is seemingly impossible to overcome. Grief and loss therapy is very important to me and has been a major part of my decades of counseling. Grief and loss therapy is not a band aid to the pain. It is a process for working to create closure and a continued internal relationship which can still sustain life after loss. When relationships are important, grief and loss are a process of dealing with the depths of love and attachment which are key to being human.

Every one of us experiences grief and loss at some point in our lives. It is part of the human experience. How we manage is what sets us apart from one another. Grief and/or loss is not always connected to losing a person to death, it could also be losing an opportunity, a career, a stage of your life, a relationship or coming to terms that your life at this time is different than the life you planned. I can help you manage feelings that arise, and make sense of the event that has or is triggering your grief. I can accompany you in those dark moments and help you regain your mental equilibrium to find your way back to happiness.

In compassionate surroundings, explore how you can heal in the grief process and honor those you love as an ongoing part of your story. I offer support during many different kinds of loss, knowing each person’s experience is singular and different. Individuals, couples and families go through transitions, loss and change. I can nurture connection and remembrance, listening deeply to what matters most.

Everyone experiences loss at some point in their lives. Grieving is a natural response to loss. Sometimes, though, a person's ability to grieve is thwarted by life stressors, resulting in feelings of guilt, confusion and depression. There is no right way to grieve, but it is important not to avoid it so you can begin your healing. If you have lost a significant other: a partner, parent, friend or pet, therapy is an safe place and an effective way to begin or continue your grieving process.

Depression and anxiety are often a result of not having processed past difficult situations. We all experience loss, and we have a natural process involving our emotions which helps us recover. Most of us do not receive the permission or the teaching to help us use this natural process. Therapy can help work through "stuck" experiences so that we are freer to move forward in life with less restriction.

Grief can be an overwhelming process that takes time and support to work through. I offer a safe place where you have permission to grieve the loss and permission to take the steps to continue with your own life. Grief counseling also teaches coping skills to help you get through the most difficult days of the grieving process. How to honor your loved one and how to move through anniversary dates and learn to live again.

Are you grieving from the loss of a loved one? Are you grieving the loss of an important part of your life, such a your job, your health or a relationship? You may be feeling tired, confused, somewhat lost at sea. You may wonder if you are normal. It is normal to experience a period of profound sadness. It is normal to experience a period of disorientation, as you come to realize the full extent of your loss, and that you are not reoriented into a new reality yet. Be assured, grief is not a mental illness. It is normal. The purpose of therapy is to provide you with support, without judgement, as you gradually find your way into a "new normal" (whatever that may be).

At some point, everyone experiences the grief and loss of something or someone valuable in life. The key is knowing how to grieve one's loss. Most people don't know how to grieve and our culture does not allow for it. Entering therapy after a loss of a job, relationship, or a loved one can help heal the wounds and help the individual move on with life.

Loss and grief are natural occurrences in life. However, they can be major intrusions in the quality of our life if we are too caught up in them. They can also interfere if we are so defended against them that they limit our ability to function or impair our daily interactions with others. Sometimes, what we have lost is not a person but a job or a situation in our life that has had great meaning for us, like our self-image. That can feel devastating. Just like losing a person, these events must be grieved if we are to be able to move on. Grieving doesn’t mean forgetting or being weak. It’s a sign of love and strength. Together, we can work through the grief so you can move on.

We all encounter loss. It's and inescapable part of life. Painful as it can be, how we deal with grief and loss determines how we either thrive or live our lives always feeling the loss that once was. The inability to work through grief or loss keeps us from living fully in the moment. The ability to let go of the things we've lost is crucial to moving on. People who grieve well live well. Those who don't, don't. Feel free to call my office for a free 15 minute telephone consultation at 800-474-1445.

We experience grief not only when someone we love dies, but also when we experience any other loss like an illness, a child who is disabled, the end of a career or job, a break up, a change in our identity or the identity of someone we love, etc. To successfully cope with grief we need support and compassion and information about what to expect. One of our clinicians can provide all 3 of these necessary components to assist you with coping with your grief.