Grief and Loss Counseling in Montebello, CA.

Grief following a loss is not only normal, but part of the healing process. Sometimes however, a subset of people experiencing normal grief find themselves drifting into a clinical depression. Dr. Levine offers supportive therapy for those experiencing normal grief and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for that subset of grieving people who grief has gotten out of control and morphed into a more severe emotional state of despair and hopelessness. Dr. Levine has over 20+ years of experience both professional and personal dealing with the grieving process. He is here to help you.

Loss comes in many forms -- the end of a life, a relationship, a job, an identity or phase of life, a home, a culture, or even losing "what could have been." The experience of loss can be one of the most isolating and confusing experiences a person goes through. You do not need to be alone in your grief -- however messy it is. I will come alongside you to help you find meaning and peace with your particular loss, so that you can begin to walk forward again.

Most people come to therapy because of some loss and the need for grief work . Whether it is the loss of a job, the loss of a relationship, the loss of a loved one, most therapy involves grieving. We listen to the clients loss and validate their pain. We help educate them about the stages of grieving, then give them tools to help them tolerate the pain. It has been said ,"Most people don't care about how much we know, until they know how much we care". We genuinely respect each and every person who calls. We provide clients our direct cell phone numbers , because we want to be easily accessible to them.

Dealing with loss can be an overwhelming and deeply painful experience. Adjusting to life without a loved one or a major life change can be a difficult, long, and often a lifelong process. I believe that in times of grieving, having a space to work through all of the emotions that it can bring up can be valuable. My hope is to help people experience healing and peace as they work through a life changing experience such as grief and loss.

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.

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.

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.

Grieving a loss can feel overwhelming and isolating. Whether you are grieving a recent loss or need to process a loss from your past, a safe space to freely express your thoughts and feelings can be healing. Children's response to loss is framed by their developmental capacities. For this reason, children may process a loss and then need to reprocess at a later stage of development. Therapy provides an opportunity for children and adolescents to process their loss in age appropriate ways.

My years of experience as a psychologist has confirmed that there is no particular timetable for overcoming grief whether from a death of relative, partner, friend, pet or the more symbolic losses of empty nest, end of career, decisions not to have children or marry. I provide a safe environment for patients to explore the many feelings associated with grieving on their own terms and timetable.

I know grief too well, having lost significant, beautiful people in my life. Thus, I am able to help you navigate the complex waves of emotions that overtake us in grief and leave us feeling depleted and empty. 1 Corinthians 12 (Living Bible) states that, "Love never ends". Christ promised we will meet our loved ones again in eternity. This is the greatest comfort one can hold onto in time of grief and loss.

We all will inevitably experience loss- i.e., the passing of a loved one, the end of a relationship, possibly significant life transitions. Grief and loss work focuses on developing effective and healthy coping mechanisms while moving through often challenging emotional states. Often individuals utilize maladaptive coping strategies, such as substances, alcohol and/or food to help minimize painful feelings. My philosophy is that while there are identifiable stages of grief and loss, they are not experienced sequentially. Navigating often confusing and competing emotions is necessary to ultimately heal.

Grieving and losing loved ones can be such a difficult time. Everyone grieves differently, and you partner may even pull away. Sometimes your friends don't know what to say, so they don't call or come around. This can leave you feeling alone, sad, angry, and depressed. You need someone to talk to and support you during this difficult. The worst thing you can do is stuff those feelings down. They will find their way to surface one way or another. Hopefully, with caring, supportive counseling, you can express yourself and get through this difficult time.

Loss in all its forms in an integral facet of life. Most of us have formed deep bonds with spouses, family, and friends, and grieving is both a testimony to the deep importance of those others to us, and part of a difficult, gradual process of letting go. Therapy work includes the honoring of either ended or failed relationships--deaths of many types--and also the grieving of we go through due to illness and aging.. A good therapist-patient relationship deals with numerous such painful "necessary losses", as well with successes in life.