Grief and Loss Counseling in Santa Cruz, CA.

Dr. Dufford provides a safe, caring environment to resolve issues of grief and loss. Donald Dufford, Ph.D., Licensed Clinical Psychologist has over 25 years experience in helping clients release emotional stress and trauma associated with losses in life. He provides the tools and techniques to let go, access inner resources, move on and create the life you want to have. Dr. Dufford integrates various therapeutic approaches including talk therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, EMDR, hypnotherapy and guided imagery. Call now for a free 10 minute telephone consultation.

Grief and loss is, unfortunately, a normal part of living. There is no single "correct" way to grieve: different cultures and even individuals from the same culture grieve differently. The only consistent feature is that grief takes time. The most effective thing anyone can do for someone grieving is to be there—to listen, to empathize, to walk along with the grief. There is no "fixing" grief. But counseling can help prevent normal grief from developing into major depression or other mental health conditions.

The experience of grief and loss, while expected at various life stages, can result in physical pain, and the emergence of symptoms that lead to experiencing a slow downward spiral in overall wellbeing, and perhaps desire to withdrawal from personal and professional commitments. Many clients seek compassionate and sensitive guidance to navigate through the ups and downs of any number of losses, ranging from diminishing health, to ending a relationship, or other life transition. Together, clients and I develop a transformative plan to stabilize, heal, gain insight and to enhance their proficiency to improve the strength needed to reconstitute their skills and hopes for today and the future.

Loss is part of life. Loss of a loved one, of a life as we knew it through illness, divorce, or unemployment. It is as natural as changing seasons. Yet it still causes pain and suffering. Sometimes we get stuck in grief. I often start therapy by asking: would your loved one want you to be in pain for the rest of your life. Nobody ever said: yes. Acknowledging that there is life after loss is the first step to recovery. After that we will talk about your sadness, grief, sometimes guilt, sometimes resentment, sometimes abandonment. All these feelings need to be respected, processed and slowly you will start noticing that the sun is still shinning and there is a new challenge in front of you

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.

Losses from death, miscarriages & abortions, divorce, important relationships, jobs, friends, pets, integrity, independence, are all significant and important to process. Complicated grief requires skill and patience but is possible. Spirituality is an important component of grieving, finalizing and reconciling losses especially the most difficult ones.