Grief and Loss Counseling in Mercer Island, WA.

Grief may arise due to the loss of a loved one, a break-up of an emotionally intimate relationship, loss of a pet, loss of a job, and many other life events. Everyone experiences grief and loss in their own unique way. It is often accompanied by sadness, irritability, guilt, regret, anger and many other feelings. Whether you are experiencing any of these feelings or symptoms, or simply are having difficulty in your daily functioning, I can help to wade through the stressors causing you grief by teaching coping skills that you can use on your own.

Grey Matters International and the work of Kevin J. Fleming, Ph.D approaches issues of grief & loss through the lens of innovation----instead of growing the same neural networks responsible for the pain in weekly therapy sessions, we reset the brain to move forward quicker and efficiently by working on the stuck limbic system so as to empower the person with more success and traction. For no one wants to stay in a grief mode for too long; but when you don’t include the brain in your work with someone, you risk describing the water to them while they drown and calling it success. Contact Grey Matters International, Inc now at kevin@kevinflemingphd.com or 877-606-6161.

Many times surprising emotions come up after a loss. Often much guilt, regret, anger and blame contribute to thoughts of what we could or should have done differently. These thoughts keep taking up space in the mind and stop us from processing and coming to terms with loss. I help clients during this difficult time by listening empathetically and using methods that help clients grieve in a healthy productive way. I help client find self-compassion, forgiveness and hope during this time time of adjustment.

I often contribute grief and loss to being like a tsunami. It comes over you and there is little it feels like you can do, besides bend to its demands. I've found that grief is a lot more varied that what we give it credit for. We deserve to grieve the loss of the relationships that we deserve and needed, if that person is still alive and just not able to meet our needs. If that person passed both the living, and that persons memory, deserve to be honored and actively grieved. The goal in therapy is to learn what that looks like and to do so in manegable ways.

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.

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.

Suffering loss can result in a mix of strong emotions such as sadness, anger, confusion, and regret. I lost my mother in my twenties, so I can relate to the overbearing range of emotions you might deal with. You can benefit from my first-hand experience, along with learned counseling techniques that can help you find peace. Personally, I learned that my feelings of sadness and loss meant that I loved my mother, and that she had a stronger impact on my life than I realized. I’ll always miss my mother, but I’ve found ways to deal with the loss by honoring her memory, and helping others who are struggling in this way. Talking with someone who understands can help you tremendously.

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.

Loss can be found in almost every experience - even the most positive changes in life ask us to let go of something, something we are familiar with, something that - for good or ill - is part of us. Loss can create confusion and discontent and other defeating patterns that can keep you stuck, blocking the sometimes frightening yet relieving, healing flow of grief - grief that can lead you to new hope and renewed or expanded meaning in life. With this in mind, as you are able, we'll explore what loss you have experienced or are currently facing in your particular situation or life story, and thus find our way to your heart and soul where grieving can open up space for hope and new perspective

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.

Grief is a difficult issue for all of us because it looks differently for everyone. However, there are some common themes in how we grieve as men and women. If you or someone you know is grieving and finding it difficult to acknowledge their grief or know what to do next, therapy is the best place to explore how they might grieve fully and in so doing, be able to move forward in life.