Grief and Loss Counseling in Playa Vista, CA.

The loss of loved one can bring a lot of mixed emotions ( anger, depression, sadness, desire, shock, guilt) for us. In personal therapy, in a safe environment, I will help you to process the negative events in order to move forward and start the healing process. I will practice positive communication, relaxation techniques and mindfulness during our session.

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 dont 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 can be overwhelming, confusing and debilitating. There are often overpowering feelings of sadness, fear, anxiety, guilt and anger. If you experience the loss of a loved one or the loss of your marriage (going through divorce), i am here to help. I will work with you through your feelings, whatever they may be, to provide a sense of clarity and self-connection in the journey of grief.

Grief and loss can be overwhelming and confusing, leaving individuals feeling alone and lost. My approach to grief and loss therapy is centered around empathy and creating a safe space for individuals to process their emotions and memories. Utilizing evidence-based practices, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness, I work with clients to navigate the grieving process and find meaning in their loss. Together, we honor the memory of the loved one while exploring coping mechanisms and building resilience for the future. You don't have to navigate this difficult journey alone, let me be your companion on this healing path.

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.

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 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.

Abby offers compassionate, trauma-informed support for individuals navigating grief and loss, including those coping with the death of a loved one, the end of a relationship, or major life changes. She has specialized expertise in child loss and complex grief, providing a safe space to process pain, honor the grieving journey, and begin to rebuild. Her approach helps clients find meaning, restore emotional balance, and reconnect with themselves and others after profound loss.

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.

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.

Grieving is a complex process. There is no right or wrong, ideal or non-ideal formulaic process to grieving. Grief is personal and varies from person to person. Allowing oneself to grief, while not loosing perspective on life is a difficult process and often requires assistance. This is where I can be of help. I will listen and provide guidance during the process of grief.

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.

Experiencing grief and loss are some of the most complex emotions to heal from. Grief touches every aspect of our lives, work, family, and even times when we are supposed to feel good. Often, guilt comes along with the grief and the loss that we feel. Frequently, one feels as if they must shoulder their grief alone. You don't have to deal with this alone. I work with clients to process their grief and loss, whether it's a loved one or something else dear to you. Additionally, we'll figure out what other emotions you may have tangled up with your grief that are holding you back. I will guide and support you so that you will see a brighter day without the pain of regret.

When someone is grieving, it is sometimes difficult to know what to say. People feel awkward and often are reduced to well-meaning platitudes. There is no magic wand to take away the feelings experienced in grief but having a place of safety and honesty can be an important step on the road to restoration. Being able to talk, weep, get angry and feel the feelings is often present in the early stages. The purpose of grief work is not about forgetting remembering with love in spite of the wounds it leaves behind.

Coping with grief and loss is unique to each person and situation. Grief is a natural response to losing someone or something that has meant a great deal to you and been part of your life. Even changes in your health, career, or lifestyle, can cause grief. I approach each case by starting where you are. Although there are different "stages" to working through grief and loss, each person experiences these stages in different ways, durations and may even revisit some of these stages multiple times throughout the process. My goal is to allow you the opportunity to experience each stage at your own pace while focusing on maintaining your health.

It is not a coincidence that losing a loved one feels like losing part of ourselves: I believe that is exactly what is happening. The people (or animals) that are closest to us help to make us the people we are. Whether through the end of a relationship, death, or moving away, the loss of someone dear to us presents a profound shift in our own life story, like a sudden storm on a calm sea. How do we navigate that? Do we sail on? Change direction? How do we even know where to begin?

I have lost people close to me and I can understand what you may be experiencing, even if you had violent/sudden loss. I offer a highly supportive environment in which we talk through your loss, share memories, and I can teach you about grief and loss. In addition, I offer a supportive therapy group for bereavement, which has been proven extremely helpful to people grieving. I use energy therapies and other alternative therapies along with more conventional psychotherapy which enhances your healig and working through losses. I offer a holistic approach to therapy through talk therapy, art and creative therapy, group therapy, bibliotherapy and energy therapies. Contact me because I can help!

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.

I help clients navigate grief and loss by welcoming their deep feelings as a part of the process and navigating them carefully when they become overwhelming. Grief is a growth process like other difficult experiences, and I help clients find the resilience inside themselves to both honor their loss while getting stronger. By honoring the pain of the loss, we can move into a new phase of life that allows for thriving.

Confronting the pain of loss may feel too intense, but counseling can bring relief. How? Talking about your sadness, regrets, guilt, anger, etc., will help you release thoughts and feelings… slowly accept how the loss impacts your life… give the lost loved one a new place in your heart... and eventually adjust to your changed life and often-new self. You can re-discover the joy of life without forgetting what you have lost.

We provide individual and group therapy for those struggling to come to terms with major life losses, such as the death of a significant other, relationship, career, or health. If you are grieving any loss, do not suffer alone. Our therapists are experienced and/or certified with the skills to help you through your journey to healing and reconciliation.

Grief and loss is a functional part of being human. While we all accept this reality we are all too often unprepared for the emotional impact of the event. The loss of anyone close to us is always difficult. Sometimes we are impacted by the loss of others whom we do not even know. The loss of a child, spouse or significant other is often the most painful. In therapy we will explore the level of grief and loss and help to minimize the pain while understanding and realizing our own needs. counseling will provide coping teaching tools, allowing us to move on with our lives.

Nothing in life can be more difficult and painful than dealing with loss. When we love deeply we will also grieve deeply. When we don't know how to grieve well, prolong sadness and pain can remain. The therapeutic relationship is one place where a safe place can be found to open fully the pain of loss. I also offer divorce support and grief groups where a community of suffers can join in the journey of recovery.

I address grief and loss issues with understanding, validation, and empathy. My deep respect for the fact that it takes time to sufficiently mourn and grieve the loss of what once was is key in working with clients who experience grief and loss. We are all unique, and we grieve in ways that may look different than other's ways. There is no wrong way to experience loss! I model compassion and patience, hoping that in time my clients can experience self-compassion and allow themselves to feel the depths of their feelings without excess shame or self-judgment. I believe that social and cultural factors may also play a role in our grieving process, so I explore those factors in therapy as well.

Grief is a normal reaction to any type of loss. The therapeutic objective is to help bereaved individuals recover from the emotional pain caused by the loss. Therapy goals consist of: recovery from the loss to help the client feel better, choosing a healthier approach to grieving, finding new meaning for living, reducing fears and unhealthy ways for dealing with the loss, and having the ability to enjoy memories and connecting to the deceased rather than resorting to isolation/depression. My therapeutic approach consists of educating about the stages of loss, working on issues complicating the grief process, validating emotions and teaching better coping mechanisms to handle the loss.