Grief and Loss Counseling in Mercer Island, WA.

Death of a loved one or loss of something significant can creep up in ways you hadn't expected. Together, you and I look at your situation with compassionate presence to help you explore your feelings and allow you deeper freedom to get through this difficult time. Finding the right fit with a counselor is of utmost importance. For that reason, I view our first few sessions as a period for us to get to know one another. I

I have learned that grief and loss are experienced very uniquely from client to client. The stages of grief are not necessarily experienced linearly. Working through grief and loss is not so much about recovery as it is about finding ways to incorporate the experience into a new version of yourself. There are ways to be proactive in processing grief and tools available that can help you through this process.

When you're going through a time of significant loss, our therapists at Mill Creek Family Services provide the support, care and understanding you need. We come alongside you with genuine warmth and compassion as you move through your time of grief. During a time that you just want the deep hurt to go away, we offer you a companion on your path as we shine a light in the direction of hope and renewal.

Are you going through a break-up, separation, or divorce? Do you need help through this difficult period? I provide a safe, warm, and understanding space for you to go through the grief and healing process needed to recovery from any loss you may be experiencing. Some aspects of loss include: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and finally acceptance. I will help guide you through the stages and help you get unstuck so that you can find the peace you want.

Is grief making it difficult to function in daily life, leaving you unable to enjoy living? Are you feeling overwhelmed by excessive bitterness, guilt or anger? Do you find yourself withdrawing from friends and family with near constant feelings of despair? If you find you answered yes to several or all of these questions, your grief may have evolved into clinical depression and it may be time to seek help. Be gentle with yourself, knowing there is no right or wrong way to grieve and all of your feelings are normal, even if it feels like you're going crazy. I will help you to understand what is happening to you and walk beside you as you move through your very personal grieving process.

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.

How do you move on when desire, hope, a loved one, or the something core to you has been lost? I am hesitant to answer that question in words because I think that there are no cognitive solutions to loss. You may have experienced this. In some ways, the only way to work with the grief is to go straight through it. It is a difficult journey, one you may have just entered or one you may have found yourself in for years. I offer a caring hand in your journey through it.

Grief and loss are very challenging. The difficulty of processing these complex emotions is compounded due to the fast paced nature of our lives pushing us forward, not providing the space and time for the necessary reflection. In order to move forward, we need time to grieve what has been lost. Our work begins with addressing the loss currently burdening your heart. It continues with examining the depth of the loss and its various levels of impact on your life. For example, losing one's mother could also mean the loss of a confidant, a cheerleader, a friend, an advocate etc. Finally, we will work together through the stages of your grief, supplementing with reading material when necessary.

When grief and loss hit, life can feel unbearable. When this happens, we sometimes try to avoid our painful feelings, but this never works for long and can lead to unhealthy ways of coping. As hard as it is, the way to heal from loss is to lean into the pain instead of running away from it. I provide a safe place for my clients to heal and move through their pain so they can fully engage in life again.

The loss of a loved one is difficult to work through. It helps to have someone to talk to. Sometimes new relationships are difficult because of loss of past relationships and the abandonment we feel. It is hard to love, trust and move forward after loss and the grief that accompanies it. I provide a comfortable, confidential environment with tools to help you move into your future.

If you have lost someone close to you through death, relocation or the end of a relationship, and feel isolated and lonely, it takes time and support to gently move forward in life. If you are shy or feel anxiety in social situations it can be hard to reach out for help and create the supportive relationships you need. I can help you move forward, gain a new sense of self worth, and begin to create meaningful nurturing social connections.

Grieving and recovering from the Loss of a beloved companion can be difficult and traumatic. Many people are surprised and confused when they are caught off guard at the intensity of their emotions regarding the loss of a loved one. Sometimes friends and family offer all of the care you need, but if you need more help and support, working with therapist can give you the additional warmth and nurturing care you need to move through your grief. I specialize in helping grieving clients to process their grief, so they can find peace again.

At Bluestone Psychological Services, you will find Dr. Bill Roedel and Randie Clark, LMHC, each of whom have had extensive and yet unique training in helping people cope with grief and loss. In a way that honors what has been lost, each will help you express all that has changed and figure out how to shape your life in a way that respects and maintains your connection with what is missing as well as build a life filled with meaning as you go forward.