Grief and Loss Counseling in Placerville, CA.

Loss is like an emotional injury that requires grief to heal. There is a natural healing process that occurs, but sometimes our grief does not resolve and therapy can help support you during the natural process of healing or help when healing is not progressing. I will help you accept the reality of the loss, have a safe place to experience and understand the pain of grief, and adjust to the loss and all that it requires to create a "new normal." Moving forward means finding meaning in life in spite of the loss and also holding on to and remembering the parts of the loss that held joy.

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 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.

When we lose someone we love, it feels like we have lost a part of ourselves. Something within us has been torn out, leaving a hole that we easily imagine will never heal. The pain can be profound, the feelings of helplessness, or regret, or guilt overwhelming. Having a partnership where you can talk through these feelings can make a huge difference not only in how quickly and how well you are able to move through the process of grieving, but also how you ultimately are able to frame the experience and your memories of the person lost into the narrative of your own self and life as you move forward. What you carry with you afterward is just as important as surviving the hurt of the loss.

Life is full of endings and losses of all kinds - some natural and expected, others tragic and unexpected. Many times, your friends and family are not able to offer the depth of support needed to help with the pain and anguish you are feeling, as much as they love you and do their very best. Having a safe, nurturing place to grieve and heal can help you integrate and adjust to losses and endings in your life. Every ending is also a new beginning. You deserve as much time as you need to experience your grief. Finding meaning and hope after loss is the next step after grieving. Let's work on both!

Each experience of grief is unique, complex, and personal, and I will tailor treatment to meet your specific needs. I will help you find different ways to maintain healthy connections with the deceased through memory, reflection, ritual, or dialogue about the deceased and with the deceased. I will help you view your grief and loss with curiosity and without judgment, in an effort to understand and heal. I can help you recognize and access your inner strength, autonomy, and capacity to step back into life after loss.

Are you using alcohol, substances, or addictive behaviors to cope with grief and loss? Although they provide relief in the short term, their long-term effects on your relationships and health can make it even more difficult to cope. Through a compassionate non-judgmental approach, I help clients explore their relationship to grief and loss so that they can overcome addictive coping strategies. If you're looking for another way forward, feel free to reach out and we can set up a free consultation to discuss further.

Grief and loss comes in many shapes and forms and can take a toll on various aspects of your life. Processing grief and loss takes time and is different for everyone but doesn’t have to be done alone. I will offer support, empathy, and a safe space for you to process your emotions openly. Together we will get through this difficult time in your life. You are not alone.

Grief is a normal part of loving and losing the person you loved. For many, however, it can become overwhelming and even lead to symptoms of depression. Or maybe you think you should be over it by now, and can't understand why you're not. For five years, I volunteered with Hospice, helping people with complicated bereavement issues to come to terms with the loss of the one who had been so important in their lives. You don't have to carry this alone. Get the support and relief you need as you say good-bye to your loved one so that you can move forward again in your life.