Grief and Loss Counseling in Flower Hill, NY.

Experiencing loss can be one of the most devastating parts of the human experience . Pain, shock, denial, anger, depression, rage, and acceptance are some emotions you may experience. I am here to sit with you and hold your sadness, as you process whatever it is that you are mourning; the death of a loved on, the end of a love relationship, position or change in family. Grieving is a necessary step in processing what has just happened, in effectively processing, understanding and slowly rebuilding your life, adjusted to the changes. It would be my honor to join you on your journey in healing and rebuilding your new reality, with inner strength, health and courage.

Grief and loss are the tragic feelings in life that can come on suddenly - from a shocking loss, or be long term, from a loss that occurred in the past or one that is ongoing. We never know how to handle the all-encompassing feelings experienced at this time, and we never think it will end. I will help guide you through these terrible times you might be experiencing by allowing you to fully express your feelings when you need to. At other times you may need guidance on how to just get through the day. As with all my clients, you will show me what you need at each moment, and I will do my best to get you through the pain of grief and loss.

Grief and loss is, unfortunately, a normal part of living. There is no single "correct" way to grieve: different cultures and even individuals from the same culture grieve differently. The only consistent feature is that grief takes time. The most effective thing anyone can do for someone grieving is to be there—to listen, to empathize, to walk along with the grief. There is no "fixing" grief. But counseling can help prevent normal grief from developing into major depression or other mental health conditions.

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.

When we lose someone we love, it feels like we have lost a part of ourselves. Something within us has been torn out, leaving a hole that we easily imagine will never heal. The pain can be profound, the feelings of helplessness, or regret, or guilt overwhelming. Having a partnership where you can talk through these feelings can make a huge difference not only in how quickly and how well you are able to move through the process of grieving, but also how you ultimately are able to frame the experience and your memories of the person lost into the narrative of your own self and life as you move forward. What you carry with you afterward is just as important as surviving the hurt of the loss.

We all experience loss at one point in our lives, but that doesn’t make it easier. Whether you’ve experienced the loss of a loved one, a relationship, a job, or something else meaningful to you, loss can leave us feeling alone, depressed, confused, and empty. I have extensive experience working with children and adults who have experienced loss and complicated grief. I provide a safe, gentle, and non judgemental environment and use a mix of trauma focused cognitive behavioral and insight oriented interventions. Through our work together you will begin to process your grief experience, learn coping skills to get you through the day, honor what you have lost, and to ultimately heal.

Grief in and of itself is not a diagnosis. However, many people find themselves seeking out professional help following the loss of a loved one, the end of a relationship, or the loss of financial means. In grief and loss therapy you will benefit from a compassionate and warm environment where you can explore your grief with out judgement or fear. Grief is often isolating in our sessions not only will you be given the space to process and remember your loss, but also the tools and guidance necessary to eventually continue a fulfilling life.

Loss in the face of betrayal is both unique and universal. If you've been betrayed by someone's sexual addiction, you may feel like life has up-ended. Although your story is unique, there are universal qualities to betrayal trauma. Rage, shock, fear, unsafety, and mistrust are some of the common feelings betrayed partners experience. You may feel dysregulated and find it difficult to function. This is a normal response to betrayal trauma. Together, we will work to help you learn about sexual addiction and why it is not your fault! I will help you grieve the safety you thought you had and we will work to help you restore a sense of safety in your life and nervous system.

Grief is about loss and the threat of loss. The stronger the bond between us and the person we have lost, the more we will hurt both physically and emotionally. When we are torn from a family member or friend, a part of us dies as well. Our natural need for attachment gets severed, often bringing the return of childhood fears. The world feels like a more dangerous place. As a result, we may feel out of control. We ache to have the loved person back. We know in the rational part of our minds that the person is not coming back, but it also seems impossible to let him go. We will remain emotionally conflicted until we can release our loved ones. Because letting go is so difficult, we must do it slow....

Personal loss such as a loved one or due to trauma needs to be mourned in order to move on in one's life. This difficult process requires a 'witness' to the emotional loss. Psychoanalysis serves the function of enabling a person to speak about the loss. It enables an individual to remember in a way that enhances the individual survivor.