Grief and Loss Counseling in Pleasanton, CA.

Grief and loss is often complicated by a painful, irrational belief that you could have done something different to prevent it. Using EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing), clients can experience relief from the tremendous burden they carry of what they should have/could have/ought to have done differently. Through the processing of thoughts, feelings, sensations, and memories, clients feel a greater sense of relief and acceptance.

I have taught and practiced grief counseling for over 24 years. One thing I observed early on is that people who share their grief with others progress through the stages of grief and get much relief, while those who try to grieve on their own seem to just stay locked into the early stages of suffering for many years. I offer compassionate and loving support through the process. Loving, gentle support can make all the difference.

Life leaves little time for grief. Instead it demands constant attention and engagement. Therefore it’s a separate set of tools you need to keep going when grief and loss come into your life. Taking a dedicated amount of time and space for the work is where counseling with me comes in. I’m here to help you process and make room for the grief as well as develop the tools to keep going.

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. .

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.