Grief and Loss Counseling in Wayne, IL.

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.

Grief looks different on everyone. Losing someone or something has different implications for everyone and we can experience a variety of emotions. Grief can happen not only after a death but also due to a breakup, friendships ending, moving, change in identity such as due to an illness, and more. Let’s explore what grief looks like for YOU and the emotions that come with it. I am here to meet you where you are at and at your pace. It’s not about “moving on”. It’s about learning what life looks like now and what is in your control. It’s about finding healing but healing is not the absence of pain.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

We are committed to meeting the needs of people who are struggling with grief and loss issues. We want to provide guidance and resources to help you work through your loss in healthy ways. Once a person faces the reality of a loss in his/her life he/she must experience grief. Because grief is a process, someone said, “The only way out of grief is through”. Grief forces us to deal with and face the pain of loss and work through the stages. As a licensed, clinical, professional counseling practice, we offer help. Though you will never forget your loved one - our goal is to help you identify how to move forward finding spiritual and practical resources to help you through it.

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.

Relying on personal (death of spouse/other family members/close friends) as well as professional training and experience, Grief Therapy is one of my specialties, including therapy for those affected by a loved one's suicide. Your grief journey is unique, and each loss is different. Therapy can help you to successfully navigate your way through the grief process and to learn that much of what you feel is a normal, natural part of the painful and often difficult grief process.

The death or loss of a loved one can be one of the most difficult events that you ever have to face. Sometimes therapy is needed to help you learn to cope with the thoughts and feelings that you are dealing with. If after a period of time, you have difficulty completing your every day activities and coping with life, it may be beneficial to meet with a professional. You may be "stuck" in one of the stages of the normal grieving process.