Grief and Loss Counseling in Durham, NC.

Much of life is about dealing with loss. We learn a great deal about ourselves by how we respond to these losses. Often, we do not allow ourselves the time to grieve. Due to this, we often find ourselves overwhelmed with emotions at a single loss, because it triggers years of accumulated losses. I work with clients to help them find closure and a way to move forward into their life.

While grieving is a healthy and normal life experience, it can also be hard, lonely, and confusing. Loved ones don't always know how best to support us. The unpredictable nature, intensity, and sheer variety of emotions we experience may make us feel like strangers to ourselves. In my work, I help clients to cope with the impact grief has on their moods, behaviors, thoughts, beliefs, physical well-being, relationships, work, and sense of self. I act as a compassionate guide, teacher, and deep listener as clients find their way through the pain of loss to a sense of healing. We may use written exercises, creative arts, or create rituals, according to a client's needs and wishes.

Feelings of grief and loss are normal--up to a point. When a client comes for help because their grief is interfering with their lives beyond a reasonable mourning period, it is often caused by the "loose strings" and uncompleted issues in a relationship which now can never be healed. My goal in helping people with grief involves helping them to accept their loss by living the life their loved one would want them to live and, in doing so, to honor the highest values of their loved one--whose voice is now living within the client.

Losing someone you have loved is very painful. Many difficult emotions may arise such as fear, anger, shock, uncertainty about your own mortality, guilt, etc. It is normal and natural to go through a period of time where you feel the loss at a very deep level. It is important to let yourself feel the loss instead of avoiding or coping with it in unhealthy ways. It is also important to know that these feelings will lessen, and you may find that your loss may turn into an opportunity for deep discovery. Everyone is different; therefore, everyone’s length of time and style of grieving is different. But, there is no shame in asking for support if you feel your grief is causing a significant chan