Grief and Loss Counseling in Menlo Park, CA.

Grief and Loss come in many forms and symptoms can sometimes mimic other issues like depression/anxiety. We can carry grief about many things; the relationships we desperately longed for with our parent, children, partners that never materialized, the betrayal of our bodies as we age or deal with disability, loss of a loved one, pet, or dream. Working through grief is its own very personal journey. My experience working with Bereaved families with Hospice and my own personal losses help inform my approach with clients to deal with their own grief and mourning.

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.

There is no one way to grieve a loss. In our society we may find ourselves bereft of support as if feels like the world moves forward while we reel from the death of a loved one or a life transition. In sessions, we will take our time and make room for your feelings and thoughts using modalities such as story telling, art, music and writing. Following your beliefs, timeline and needs, I will assist you in processing your loss and help you to rebuild a sense of meaning and purpose in your life.

I am a Certified Advanced Grief Specialist. Grief is a natural process following a meaningful loss and it can influence physical, emotional, behavioral & spiritual aspects of our lives. Grief is most associated with the death of a loved one, but also occurs with the loss of a pet, job, relationship, and changes in your health. People cope with grief in a variety of ways. The intensity and duration of grieving differs between individuals. Therapy is a safe place to express & explore your feelings. I will help you learn to cope and transform your pain into healthier ways of meaning and remembrance. Through therapy you will find permission to live your life and develop connection again.

Grief and loss can take many forms in our lives. If you have lost a loved one to death, divorce, addiction or estrangement, the pain can be intense and disorienting. Other forms of loss such as disability, loss of health, infertility, infidelity, loss of faith or the loss of a lifelong dream can also leave us reeling and grieving. Loss is very personal. While others may not understand what you're going through, I will respect your experience and walk through it with you for as long as it takes.

Grief and Loss Therapy is one of my specialties. I will help you all the way through, until you can remember your loved one with fond memories. We often get stuck in our grief and can't get to the point of fond memories. I will gently and compassionately guide you through. Just remember, no one grieves in the same way. Anyway you grieve is normal and natural as long as you do it your way.

Have you recently experienced a death, the loss of a partner, a friend or pet? Grief, anger and difficulty functioning are normal but very challenging responses to loss. Most people tell themselves they must reach closure, but this takes more time than most people realize. Don't isolate or just tell yourself to be strong- lets work it through together.

So much of my experience as a therapist has roots in supporting clients with grief and loss. Grief is a process, and I can guide you through each phase of grief. We all grieve in our own time, but it's best to do so with a therapist. By allowing the feelings (anger, sadness, frustration, fear, sorrow) to flow through you, the grieving process will happen at a healthier pace. If you feel lost, alone, and struggling to process a loss, I can be your guide. Facing hospice, palliative care, or the loss of a loved one suddenly can each have its own special set of challenges. This is a personal journey, and I am here to offer you support, understanding, and a safe place.

I know personally how painful grief and loss can be. Also, my studies and my work at Hospice, counseling people in grief, showed me the many facets of this journey. Whether a loved one has passed, or you are going through divorce, change of home or career, a major loss presents big challenges. You may very well face day to day difficulties like low energy, foggy thinking, overwhelming feelings, physical pain, and changing relationships. I can help you navigate these challenging days and weeks and months. Your journey through your grieving can ultimately be a blessing in your growth, self understanding, and in the expansion of your loving heart.

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.

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.

Grief can be overwhelming to navigate on our own. One thing I have learned from my studies of Carl Jung and Sandra Ingerman is the importance of honoring your soul when you are grieving. I will hold the safe space for you to actively move through your grief so that you don't end up with depression or soul loss. Grief can be a beautiful process, like entering sacred grounds where you come to understand your own soul and its needs. I am always honored to guide a client through their grief. Grief work is often a catalyst for coming into more authenticity and self compassion, and developing a deeper understanding of concepts such as Soul mates, forgiveness, and how to create healthy closure.

In grief and loss therapy with me, you will learn to identify, feel, and let go of past losses so that you can live more fully in the present. By processing unresolved grief, you will be able to achieve more consistent happiness and a deeper level of satisfaction within yourself and in your relationships. Learning with me about your own unique path through the grief process will help you to get more quickly through the experience of loss in the future as well as to do so with more peace. I will also teach you valuable skills so that you can stay more current and comfortable emotionally even after completing therapy. Call me with any questions or to schedule an initial appointment.

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.

Devastation through grief and loss are unspeakable. Let me help you navigate through the maze that is your new reality. Sometimes these feelings must be experienced in a safe place with a counselor who understands that at times, there are no suitable words to express the extent of this pain. As an expert in this area of grief counseling, I will help you achieve the self compassion needed to deal with the pain, and thrive in your life.

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 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.

Grief looks differently for different people. Grief needs its own time and can't be forced. Many contemporary cultures have forgotten their collective ways to face loss and to support grieving people through ritual and community. Therapy provides an ongoing compassionate relationship, a rock for you to return to again and again with your process. An ear that won't get tired of listening. Bringing presence to the grieving process allows healing and the rich rewards of a strong and open heart. You will feel joy and peacefulness again.

The healing process for grief and loss first begins with allowing your grief to fully be expressed. Within the safety of the therapeutic relationship, you will be accompanied on your journey through mourning the loss of your loved one. Sitting with the emotional pain of grief will support self-expression and meaning making. The grieving process allows for transformation: new awareness of life, reality, interconnectedness, wholeness, and gratitude. Therapy will help you be more fully present in your life and your relationships.

I am a caring presence as a psychologist during the grieving process. I listen and comfort and help with pressing decisions which are difficult to face while grieving. I understand that grieving takes many forms which need to be understood. Sometimes grieving takes a very long time and sometimes grief is a lifelong presence. Sometimes loss can lead to positive changes or new life directions.

Sometimes you might feel like you are searching for how to heal from grief and loss in relationships, times of your life, or getting past an old way of being. I am here to help you get through times that might be confusing and seem unmanageable, and transform them into a more soothing and supported experience. It can be difficult with others telling you just to get over it, or move on, as well as if people you want understanding from distance themselves. The best part of this is to know how to approach loved ones about these issues and how to be comforted and fully alive within yourself! Allow me assist you with your grieving or transitional process, and things can feel manageable again.

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.

Grief is hard. Grief is natural. Animals grieve. Grief is something we feel deep in our bodies and can be disorienting and destabilizing. Grief brings up questions about who we are, the world, the existence or goodness of God, and purpose and futility of life. Dealing with grief, especially when the loss is traumatic and unexpected, requires a slow and tender space to allow the grief to move through our body and to settle in our hearts with warmth and memory. I am here to help you grieve the loss of your loved one, experience, health , future or even your beloved pet. .

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.

My practice is centered around helping my clients find their own unique paths to healing from grief and loss. I use a combination of psychoanalytically-informed therapy and psychodynamic therapy to help people find the courage to be with and move through their pain. My goal is to provide comfort and support to my patients, while also helping them to uncover their hidden strengths and resources. I believe in the power of meaningful relationships and strive to create a safe and secure space for my patients to explore their feelings and experiences.