Grief and Loss Counseling in Wheeling, IL.

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.

We all experience a deep feeling of grief or loss at least once in our lives whether it is unexpected or suddenly. Grief isn't just secluded to the loss of a person but can also include a pet, home, divorce, or anything else you have felt a deep attachment to. Grief is a multi-faceted feeling that manifests itself differently in everyone. I have grieved and I believe I can help you with simply understanding and relating with how you're feeling.

I hold grief with deep compassion, honoring it as a tender, human response to the ache of life not going as it should. When left unspoken, grief often takes root in the body or spills into our relationships. In our work together, we’ll gently make space for what hurts—because only by feeling it can we begin to heal. Grief can be a sacred bridge from pain to hope, from disconnection to renewed life and meaning.

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.

Times of grief are some of the most painful experiences we have as human beings. But these times are also wonderful in the sense that this is part of our humanity - it's painful because of our ability and capacity to love. With love comes loss - and with loss comes great emotional pain. But the grief journey can also be a time of amazing reflection, growth, and renewal. Sometimes grief is fresh and sometimes grief is deep-seated from events long past. Either way, learning to not fear your grief but to be able to sit with it and use it as a tool to transform yourself is a powerful benefit of this great emotional pain.

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.

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.

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.

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.