Grief and Loss Counseling in DeLand, FL.

Grief hurts. People feel like they have been stolen from. Sometimes it’s grief over the loss of something we had. Sometimes it’s sadness about what we never had. If we minimize and deny our emotions, we no longer have them, they have us. Holding it in makes it feel worse and can make us sick. Grief heals when its emotions are expressed. I provide a safe environment where you can do that. It’s a place where you can take off the courageous face that you wear for others, be yourself and voice feelings you may usually hide from others. I can provide you with emotional support and the tools you can use to come to acceptance.

Loss is an extremely hard thing and finding a new reality without your old way of life can be even harder. Loss can be many things - a loved one, a friend, a pet, a job or a transition of something in your life you once had. It's a big deal. We often experience a range of emotions as a result - depression, anger, bargaining, pain, sadness - they are all so normal and yet overwhelming. At KML, we are here to be your support and help you get through this difficult time. Sometimes, it is just having a place to go where you can let the emotions out, other times it might be wanting to talk through the pain of the loss - everyone is different. We are here to walk through the pain with you.

Therapy for grief and loss provides a compassionate space to process your emotions, honor your experience, and find a path forward at your own pace. Whether you're coping with the death of a loved one, a major life change, or another significant loss, our practice offers support without judgment. You'll gain tools to navigate the pain, make meaning from your experience, and gradually reconnect with life. Healing doesn’t mean forgetting instead learning to carry your loss with care.

As an experienced Christian Counselor and ordained pastor, I’ve supported many men through the grief process. If you’re grieving, I will provide a supportive space for you to process your emotions. Because grief is a normal part of being human, I can’t take it away or rush you through it. However, I can help you identify barriers to grief, and help you prevent the grief process from becoming stuck. I know grief professionally. But I also know grief personally. Losing one of my best friends and my beloved grandparents was hard enough, but facing the untimely death of my father was, and is, a uniquely painful experience. If given the chance, I would be honored to help you process your grief.

We help our client to heal and process grief and loss through holding safe space for them to work through difficult emotions and experiences in a supportive environment. Everyone grieves differently, but it can be very beneficial to receive support from loved ones and therapists as you cope with grief and loss. Collaborative therapy, Emotionally-Focused therapy, grief psychoeducation, and techniques such as EMDR (Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and ART (Accelerated Resolution Therapy) can be especially helpful.

Grief shows up through several life experiences: the loss of a loved one, divorce, major life transitions, or realizing that something or someone in your life does not match "the dream" you had in your mind. In counseling I invite you to understand the stages of grief and work your way through each one. My role is to hold space for you to face your disbelief, express your anger, cry seemingly endless tears, bargain for a new outcome, and find the courage to delve into your sadness. Taking one step at a time, you eventually reach a place of peace and acceptance. Through this incredible experience of growth and expansion, I will support you in discovering the depth of your own strength.

I have worked with many clients who are dealing with grief and loss issues, including children and families who have lost a loved one. I have also worked with trauma survivors and their families and loved ones, including victims and others impacted by or involved in the Pulse nightclub shootings. I encourage people to understand that there is no "wrong" way to grieve and that it is a process that takes time.

With my experience in ministry, in counseling, and in life-coaching, I’ve helped men work through the complicated emotions around grief and loss. As men we feel pressure to be a “rock” for everyone else. Then our wives tell us to open up and feel our feelings. But do they really want to see us fall apart? Like many things, the truth is somewhere in the middle. Chances are that you’ve bravely put your feelings on hold to care for others, and regardless of what the world says, there’s love and nobility in that. And at the same time, you need a place to be real and work through the pain. If you’re ready to take the next step and face what needs to be faced, man to man, I’m here to help.

Losing a loved one or a relationship can be one of the most challenging events you will experience. I can help you turn this traumatic moment into an opportunity for breakthrough. This process includes redefining your relationship with a loved one, or re-discovering a piece of yourself that has been lost. I encourage you to embrace the reality that you can thrive even in the wake of grief or loss. The next season may bring renewal.