Grief and Loss Counseling in Lonsdale, MN.

Grief and loss are part of life. We all go through grief at our own pace and it is not a linear process. It is more of a jumbled process landing on different phases of: anger, denial, depression, bargaining and eventually acceptance. After consulting with a grief counselor for a couple years I feel competent in helping clients move through their grief.

When you lose someone or something that you love, it can feel as though your world has ended. Grief can feel crushing. It can abate and a crushing tsunami of heavy may get triggered with seeming small instances where you suddenly 'remember' that this is happening and it is real. There is no 'getting over it'. It is so hard to even accept that this is really happening. You are faced with learning to move forward with this void. If you are further into your grief, you may feel alone and worried about burdening others with this pain. I understand and I want to help you.

Grief counseling helps people cope with grief and mourning following the loss of a loved one or due to major life changes that trigger feelings of grief (i.e. job loss or divorce). It provides a space for individuals to work through and process the complex emotions surrounding loss. Healthy grieving results in remembering the loss with a newfound sense of peace, rather than searing pain.

As difficult as it is, loss is a part of life, for all of us. By learning to focus on the richness of what remains, what is still in front of us, we can build, or rebuild, a new chapter, full of life and new experiences. We will always miss people, places, happy times in our lives. The sadness will fade, if we allow it to and if we focus on moving forward. More than anything else, this honors the people and memories in our past.

I have extensive experience working with grief and loss. I have worked with every type of loss and understand the importance of having someone sit with you in your grief and help you understand and navigate what you are feeling. I have worked extensively with parents who have had a child die and understand the unique complexities of that type of loss. I don't think people get "over" losses but rather their grief and feelings changes throughout the years.

Overcoming grief and loss requires a balance of experiencing emotional pain and the conscious attempt to move forward in life in positive ways. This is a delicate balance and healing may take time. But there is always hope for a positive future that must be nurtured within the reality of one's loss.There must be an authentic experiencing of the feelings of hurt and pain. And this may take considerable time and patience, though every person is different in the way that they handle loss. Every person should be respected in their path taken for personal healing.

Grief and loss do not necessarily relate to just death. ~ The loss of family through divorce, drug or alcohol use, or anger is another aspect where one feels grief and loss. ~ Loss of an ideal for a job, the ideal child, ideal spouse or ideal self is also an area of grief and loss. ~ The loss of one’s health or that of someone close to them through illness or an accident is also an area of grief and loss.~ My point is there are many circumstances where one may feel grief and loss. ~ We will identify your area of grief and loss and develop a plan of action to help understand and face the reality of a changed future due to this loss together. It is a difficult journey but one that is made easier w....

The loss of a loved one, career, pet, or other important aspect can often shift our world and leave a tender, gaping wound. Working together to work on this sense of, or actual, loss through compassionate, gentle and affirmative therapy. Helping process through the pain does not mean you do not care about the loss, but you do not need to struggle through the pain alone.

As an experienced Christian Counselor and ordained pastor, I’ve supported many men through the grief process. If you’re grieving, I will provide a supportive space for you to process your emotions. Because grief is a normal part of being human, I can’t take it away or rush you through it. However, I can help you identify barriers to grief, and help you prevent the grief process from becoming stuck. I know grief professionally. But I also know grief personally. Losing one of my best friends and my beloved grandparents was hard enough, but facing the untimely death of my father was, and is, a uniquely painful experience. If given the chance, I would be honored to help you process your grief.

Children of Narcissistic Parents often express great loss. If you are such a survivor, you know you don't mourn something you had--you grieve the loss of what will never be. You may never know that safety, nurturance and affection in your relationship to your parent. Deep sadness resides within you. You never felt seen, heard or appreciated by your parent. You were told you were never enough, never did things right, and as an adult, you carry forward deep shame. You are tired of this burden. I understand and I can help. I invite you to email or if you are ready to start now, you may also schedule our first appointment via the website.