Grief and Loss Counseling in Addison, IL.

While everyone grieves in their own way and in their own time, losing a loved one feels devastating. Furthermore, grief can be complicated by other conditions such as depression and level of dependence on the departed. The good news is that therapy is a very effective way to manage grief symptoms and cope with stressors from the loss. When you see me for grief & loss therapy, we will discuss how the grief is impacting your life and create a plan together to accelerate the healing process without losing any healthy emotional connections with the deceased. Give me a call today for a free consultation and we can put together a preliminary plan over the telephone.

In grief therapy, my approach is compassionate, grounded, and personalized. I offer a supportive space to help you process your loss at your own pace, without judgment or pressure to “move on.” We’ll explore the emotional, cognitive, and physical impact of grief, while also identifying ways to find meaning and connection in the midst of pain. I gently guide clients through the complexities of loss, helping them honor their experiences and move forward with care and clarity.

I specialize in short-term grief and loss as well as prolonged bereavement. Loss of loved ones, loss of health, a job, survivors' guilt, or any significant loss in life can cause periods of extreme sadness, anger and a myriad of other emotions. I work with my clients to process their loss and move through the adjustment period so as to come to a place of peace and acceptance.

Processing a loss or trauma occurs in many ways, starting with talking. Losses by death of family and friends are likely our greatest losses in life. Maybe you didn't consider retirement, moving away, a serious heath diagnosis, or the end of a longterm friendship as a loss. Loss is actually uncontrollable change. Talking about how you are feeling is how you begin to let go. Time does not really heal all wounds. It is what you do with time that heals the wound.

The key areas of grief and loss is learning to create what is known as a "new normal". This new normal can be created after a death, loss of job or even the loss of a relationship like divorce. Being able to understand the grief steps and what to expect brings hope to individuals and families who may have just had what they once new as normal completely change sometimes overnight.

Losing a loved one is probably one of the most difficult challenges we can endure. Our entire perspective on life can change in an instant. Your greif experience is unique because only you know the nuances of your relationship to the person you lost. This is a time to be gentle with yourself as you move through the stages of grief but also to make healthy choices for yourself, which is not always easy to do on your own. I'd be honored to walk with you through this painful time as you explore your thoughts and feelings and learn to embrace life without your loved one.

Personal loss is a painful process and requires time to heal. Having a healthy means to work through grief is important. In my counseling experience I have had the opportunity to walk many individuals through the grief process. Because of my background in Christian ministry I find that I can also help people sort through the questions they have about faith and loss. One of the common questions I hear is, "How can a loving God allow this to happen?" If you are struggling with loss and have more questions than answers you need to find a safe place to process your feelings, find comfort and hope. I would like to walk this journey with you.

Healing in the grief process looks different for everyone and I can provide a space for you to feel and share what you need to. I will provide support and empathetic listening to remind you that you are not alone during this difficult time. We can also identify other ways to connect with others and feel supported within your friends and family as well. Although nothing can fix a loss, therapy can be a powerful tool in the process to experience some relief and begin to heal.

Know that your most important thoughts and feelings are held with great care and sensitivity, as I listen closely and compassionately to your stories of grief, loss and change. Your personal experience is unique and valid for you, and it's ok that others' experiences are different. I will support and assist you as you talk, write, and find additional ways to express yourself and what your losses have meant to you, so that you will find healing and peace over time.

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.

"As for grief, you'll find it comes in waves. When the ship is first wrecked, you're drowning, with wreckage all around you. You find some piece of the wreckage and you hang on for a while. Maybe it's some physical thing. Maybe it's a happy memory. Maybe it's a person who is also floating. For a while, all you can do is float. Stay alive." Grief and loss comes in all forms - from job loss to death of a loved one. Emotional based therapy will help you cope with the loss and adjust to a "new normal". I'll help you explore the loss, your grieving process, and help you find closure.

Are you struggling with the loss of a loved one? Even a job loss or the loss of a relationship such as divorce can bring on feelings of grief. Are you experiencing feelings of anger, guilt, sadness and confusion? It may seem impossible to return to "normal" life. You may feel unprepared to deal with what is happening around you. Unfortunately, we will all experience grief in our lifetime. There is no "correct" way to express grief, but it can be softened and even resolved with kind and compassionate care. For more information, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Here in the US we have a backward approach to grief in that we suffer in silence. I want to help you facilitate healing by allowing a full expression of emotion, to normalize the path of grief, and to hear the stories about the person(s), relationships, or even jobs you've lost. The benefit of grief counseling is it assists you moving forward and through all the stages.