Grief and Loss Counseling in Mountain Park, GA.

Although at some time we all experience loss and the grief that follows, there are few life experiences that are lonelier. Summer can gently walk with you through your experience of grief, and help you process your sadness and pain as you move through this difficult time. Although grief and depression are distinct, at times they feel the same, and sometimes loss can precipitate depression. If you feel that you are alone and stuck in your grief, it's probably time to ask for help.

Grief is a process and the length of grief will vary. Grief needs to be respected to be addressed and we live in a society that wants people to "get over it" quickly. People also want to get out of pain as quickly as possible. Grieving and mourning needs to be faced and supported. When people get stuck in issues such as anger or even guilt, they often need assistance with addressing these issues. Therapy is beneficial with these issues. Depending on how the person died, there may be some trauma accompanying grief as well. At times addressing the trauma may be necessary.

Grieving is messy and painful, and it would be my honor to be able to enter into your hurt and provide a listening ear so that you can process through all of the feelings that you are experiencing. Together we will organize the mess and honor your loved one that you have lost. Please do not shoulder this pain by yourself- reach out so that I can share the load with you.

Understanding that what you are experiencing in your grief is normal can be an important part in healing. Friends and family may not know what to say, and in their desire to see you stop hurting, they may tell you that it's time to get over it and move on. With me, you will find that wherever you are in your grief process is accepted. While I will help you process your feelings so you may heal, I will not hurry you along faster than you are ready to go. I will never have the expectation that you will "get over" your loved one. Instead, I will help you to redefine your life without that person in it so that you can experience joy again.

Dealing with the loss of a loved one can be one of the hardest things to overcome. Allowing yourself to feel the grief is the best thing you can do. Bridgette strives to provide her clients a compassionate ear and safe place to heal from their loss, help understand the different stages of grief they are experiencing and start seeing hope in each day.

Losing someone you love and care about is the most difficult thing. Properly grieving their loss will help you move forward. With my support, I can help you understand the rollercoaster of emotions you may be going through and reassure you that they are normal, but different for everyone. In the safe and compassionate space we will be in, you can work through your grief, anxiety, and loss in a healthy way.

No safer place. No better time. Loss happens to all of us, at some points along our journey. The experience can be intensely painful and even alter the direction of our lives in negative and harmful ways. In times of grief we can either turn to God or away from Him. In His goodness, God will not waste your pain, and can turn your ashes into beauty. Let me help you grieve in a healthy manner, and move forward with hope in spite of what you have faced.

Working through the stages of grief: Anger, Denial, Bargaining, Sadness, and Acceptance can be very helpful. Being able to share your emotions with another person throughout the process can be very healing. Using EMDR ( eye movement, desensitization,reprocessing) technique for the traumatic parts of your grief can also be very beneficial. I am here to help you through that process.

At Anchor Point, we describe ourselves as "a haven in a storm". Whenever we experience deep pain through a death, separation, loss, moving to a new location, etc. people often have a feeling of being oeverwhelmed and lost- much like being tossed about in a storm. We offer a listening ear, a place to honor the loss, and a compass to find your direction again. I have a spiritual background with an advanced degree in theology in addition to my education and training in couseling to help you come to answers that help you begin the healing process.

Grief and loss can feel overwhelming, affecting emotions, thoughts, and daily functioning. In therapy clients process their experience while building practical coping strategies. Rather than staying stuck in pain, sessions gently explore strengths, resilience, and meaningful ways to move forward. Clients learn to identify unhelpful thought patterns, manage intense emotions, and reconnect with purpose. Benefits include improved emotional regulation, reduced feelings of isolation, and a clearer sense of hope. The goal is not to “move on” from loss, but to integrate it in a way that supports healing, growth, and renewed engagement in life.

I utilize an active model of grieving that helps the client have a map, so to speak, to be able to recognize where they are in the process of working through the loss. For example, the first step is to get through the denial and shock of what has happened to where one can accept its reality. Secondly, it's important to tell one's story in order to address a person's desire to regain what was lost. Third, is to address the despair and effects to one's life by coming to terms with what has happened, making meaning, identifying specific goals for therapy along with a treatment plan. Then finally, moving forward, withdrawing the energy once given to the trauma and redirecting it to find meaning.

Grief is the body and spirit's response to significant loss. Grief is involuntary and necessary. Grief is natural and the only way to heal the body and spirit is to go through it. Suppressing, denying, minimizing and avoiding the process that is grief will be rejected by the body and spirit. Grief is not a linear process and is unique to each person. I help by teaching ways to cope that will reduce the negative symptoms of grief, such as the difficulty with focus, concentration and memory, fatigue, and sadness, while respecting and honoring your process.

Walking through grief recovery can be a life long journey, we focus on the healing and positive memories to help bring peace. Grief can come from losing someone suddenly, long term illness, suicide loss, pregnancy loss and others. Whatever the loss, you are not alone. This is a safe space to help you heal. Take your time, be patient with yourself and understand that you are not alone. Reach out for support duering you processing and healing journey.