Grief and Loss Counseling in Lonaconing, MD.

To help a client cope through grief and loss, I sometimes use the example of how an oyster forms a pearl. The oyster ingests a grain of sand that causes pain, and which cannot be removed or dissolved (just like we cannot eliminate the pain of missing a loved one). So the oyster begins to encase the grain of sand with layers of calcium-like substance, that makes the grain of sand easier to carry and hold, without the rough edges. Coping through grief and loss can involve learning how to unpack, experience, and adjust how we carry the pain. Therapy can help you soften and encase the pain of loss, forming a "pearl" around it that is easier to carry with you, and perhaps make it more precious.

Loss is inevitable. It is the flip side of love and the greatest pain we know. Hearts can break and hearts can heal. We must first accept ALL feelings. We can cultivate gratitude for the gifts our loved one gave us. Sometimes it is also important to acknowledge and learn from the mistakes of the one we have lost., the ways they may have caused pain to themselves and others. If the person has been a large part of our daily living, it is as if we need to recreate our lives bringing new resources into the emptiness. The waves of extreme pain become less frequent with time. The person's memory remains with us, and their gifts to us can inspire those very strengths in ourselves.

I understand how deeply painful and confusing grief can be, and I’m here to walk alongside you through this difficult time. In our work together, you’ll find a safe and caring space where your feelings are heard and honored-no matter what they are. Grief is different for everyone, and I’ll support you at your own pace, helping you make sense of your emotions without judgment. Using gentle, practical tools like mindfulness and self-care, I’ll help you find moments of peace and strength. My hope is to help you heal in a way that feels right for you and to guide you toward hope and renewed meaning in your life.