Grief and Loss Counseling in Clarendon Hills, IL.

Grief and loss is like a deep well where pain lives. Counseling is a process that allows you to talk about your loved one or the loss you've experienced in an on-going way until healing begins to occur. This is not a conversation you have with friends or family very often as most people don't know how to handle your grief or loss. I've worked with many grieving individuals and somehow we find a way to find life and live it fully again.

In my approach to grief and loss therapy, I provide a compassionate, nonjudgmental space where clients can process their emotions at their own pace. I integrate evidence-based practices such as narrative therapy and mindfulness to help individuals explore their loss, acknowledge the complexities of their grief, and find pathways to healing. Clients benefit from tailored support that honors their unique experiences while fostering resilience and acceptance. My goal is to help clients build meaning and navigate their journey with empathy, leading to eventual emotional growth and restoration.

I work with those experiencing grief and loss, and provide a safe, empathic, and understanding environment for you to have the space to process this tragedy. I am here to listen to you, support you, help process the chaos of this experience, and provide any guidance if necessary and when appropriate. I have experience helping those who have lost loved ones, are going through a traumatic loss, and/ or are experiencing complicated grief. I am here to support you on your journey to healing and putting the pieces back together.

Grief counseling applies to many types of loss, not just death. Counseling for loss can be an opportunity to memorialize the person, relationship, or experience you lost. Counseling should include the joy and laughter of the loss as well as the sadness and pain. Uncomplicated grief counseling can be short-term, 1-6 sessions, and is covered by insurance in many cases.

There are multiple forms of loss, ranging from lost friendship to to the loss of a loved one, which could be a pet or a person. I would encourage open communication about feelings and strongly believe that an individual's feelings should not be judged or criticized. I would also encourage the individual to allow sufficient time to recover from their loss; there is no "right" amount of time to process a loss.

I like to help the person work through grief and loss by helping them connect with their sorrow and bring loving closure to those relationships. This may include role playing and also narrative writing allowing them to express their feelings, memories, regrets, etc. Often we may create an experience where they can say goodbye and begin to let go and move on.

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.

Losing a loved one is one of the most devastating experiences in life. Losing abilities or functioning in chronic pain is a loss of another kind, but a loss nevertheless. Getting past the numbness and overwhelming pain is a uniquely personal process with a very individual timeline. I provide loving support and understanding of the grief process while carefully encouraging you to move forward when ready to see and understand the new landscape you are now living.

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.

Grieving is a deeply personal process that can bring intense sadness, confusion, or even numbness. I offer a compassionate and safe space to help you process your emotions, honor your loss, and move toward healing—at your own pace. Through support and reflection, you can rediscover meaning, find comfort in memories, and learn to carry your grief in ways that feel manageable and grounded.

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.

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.

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.