Grief and Loss Counseling in Oak Park, CA.

Using the tools of Grief Recovery, I help you accept and heal from the pain of a loss. I offer support in a safe environment where you can express yourself openly and work through your most profound feelings. With the help of counseling, you can process your feelings of fear, anger, guilt and deep sadness and find a way forward. You don’t have to be alone during this trying time. Discover coping strategies for adapting to a loss and releasing yourself from pain.

Grief and loss comes in all forms, from the death of a pet, to moving, to the loss of a dream, to the death of a child or spouse, and more. My clients discover grief and loss are a process (which includes: shock/disbelief, anger, blaming, depression/sadness, bargaining, and denial), and how to move through that process to an increased state of acceptance. As their state of acceptance increases, my clients experience an increase in forgiveness, healing, freedom and hope for the present and future. My clients see how they can begin to feel good about their life and future again.

Losing a person, relationship or beloved companion animal can leave you feeling alone, lost and scared. I can help you give voice to your emotions and begin to integrate the grief into your life in a healthy way. It's normal to grieve deeply when we love deeply. Honoring those feelings is an important part of walking the path of healing. Therapy offers those experiencing the tidal wave of emotions that are often present after a loss the opportunity to process the past, present and future in a safe, non-judgmental environment. I work together to process the loss, discuss stages of grief & begin working towards deeper healing & acceptance. We never fully "get over" the losses in our lives, but we learn how to accept them & move towards a healthier view of...(view profile to read more)

EXPERIENCING THE INTENSE PAIN OF LOSS? Whether it is due to the loss of a loved one, a job or something that means a lot to you, I can help! In counseling you can work through the feelings of sadness, grief, emptiness, regret, anger, guilt, frustration… so that you can come to terms with unfinished businesses and move on to healing, recovery, growth and empowerment. Don't hesitate to call me for a free telephone consultation session.

Everyone grieves in their own way. You shouldn't feel you are out-of-control because you grieve in unexpected ways or for a longer peroid. Cultural and religious differences in grieving exist which are perfectly acceptible. A therapist must be sensitive to these issues. Grief is said to involve denial, anger, bargaining, deperession and acceptance. We will monitor your reactions to validate those feelings in session. Unhealthy reactions to loss do occur; self-medicating, and isolating oneslef for long periods, experiencing full-blown depression -- these behaviors, can prove detrimental. We will monitor your behaviors and mood changes and deal with negative conditions, should they occur.

Most of us are familiar with Elizabeth Kubler Ross' model of grief with the 5 stages. While this is helpful information, this model does not fit everyone. I practice from the Winslade and Hedtke model of grief which practices "Remembering". I find that using this model or this model in conjunction with the 5 stage grief model is helpful to helping clients explore loss and grief in finding a pathway forward that honors their own experiences.

Grief is a reaction to any form of loss. Whether that is of a loved one, a relationship, pet, job or personal identity, therapy can help. Feelings can range from deep sadness to anger, and each person's experience is unique. Everyone grieves in their own way and in their own time. Therapy is an effective way to learn to cope with the stressors associated with the loss and to manage symptoms. Working through the stages of grief in a supportive and accepting therapy environment can help you to heal and enable more happiness in your life.

My approach to grief and loss is compassionate, supportive, and deeply individualized and personal. I provide a safe space to process the many emotions that accompany loss while assisting clients in adjusting to change as well as rediscovering a sense of identity. Together we will find meaningful ways to move forward without one feeling like they are leaving the person or the life behind that feels lost.

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. .

Saying goodbye to someone you loved, and who has loved you, is bittersweet. The thought of not seeing a beloved family member or friend again just plain hurts. It’s normal for someone to feel bitter, even angry during this time. I can help young adults grieve the death of a loved one, whether it be a person ... or a pet. I support my clients in making sense of their loss and healing their pain, so that they are able to move forward again in their lives.

There are losses so large that ordinary words seem to fail them, and yet finding words is often exactly what helps us survive them. If you're carrying a grief that feels too heavy or too tangled to speak about, you don't have to carry it alone or explain it perfectly. In our sessions, you can bring whatever is there: the sorrow, the memories, the things you wish you'd said, the parts of the loss no one else seems to understand. I'll help you give them a voice and make sense of an experience that may feel senseless right now. I've worked with many grieving people, and I've witnessed even the heaviest of grief resolve. Whenever you're ready, call me so we can work through your pain together.

First, please let me express how sorry I am for the grief you are experiencing. Grief. It is one of the most complex emotions to feel, process, cope with, and heal from. When one thinks of grief they often associate it with the passing away of a loved one. Grief can show up or manifest in different ways. Perhaps you are an adult and your own parents are going through a divorce. You might be very much dealing grief. Maybe you just went through yet another cycle only to find you are still not pregnant - or worse, you were and then you were not. Grief is not something to cope with alone. Please, reach out for help. I am here to support you and guide you.

Losing a loved one can be so difficult, whether it's a parent, grandparent, sibling or even a pet. I believe losing a child would be one of the most difficult losses a parent could experience. I am here to help you grieve through these losses by providing you with a supportive, safe and compassionate environment. I will also remind you that all the feelings that you are experiencing, whether it's anger, guilt, denial or sadness are all normal and need to be expressed. I will also make sure that your grief does not turn into a clinical depression, which will add to your sadness and difficult in functioning. Talking to therapist is different than with a friend or family due to our skill-set.