Grief and Loss Counseling in Santa Cruz, CA.

There is no one way to grieve a loss. In our society we may find ourselves bereft of support as if feels like the world moves forward while we reel from the death of a loved one or a life transition. In sessions, we will take our time and make room for your feelings and thoughts using modalities such as story telling, art, music and writing. Following your beliefs, timeline and needs, I will assist you in processing your loss and help you to rebuild a sense of meaning and purpose in your life.

When you lose something or someone important or close to you, it may be difficult to make sense of life or to feel that others can relate to or understand what you are going through. If you need someone to talk to about what happened, I am here for you. I understand that sadness is often something that shouldn't be fixed, but embraced. I also specialize in helping people who were hurt or abused by the deceased. Grief and Loss is a painful time of life, one that every human being goes through. You are not alone. I will come alongside you through the anger, loneliness, fear, shock, and panic. In the middle of the grief, the way forward can bring hope, strength, peace and freedom from guilt.

Are you using alcohol, substances, or addictive behaviors to cope with grief and loss? Although they provide relief in the short term, their long-term effects on your relationships and health can make it even more difficult to cope. Through a compassionate non-judgmental approach, I help clients explore their relationship to grief and loss so that they can overcome addictive coping strategies. If you're looking for another way forward, feel free to reach out and we can set up a free consultation to discuss further.

I use an empathetic and compassionate approach combined with a range of specialized therapeutic techniques, including sensorimotor psychotherapy and internal family systems, to address Grief & Loss. Together we will master the intricacies of the grief process to enable a personalized and profound healing journey for those grappling with one of life's most challenging transitions. Clients will find solace and strength in my care, and I will create a safe space for exploration and growth, fostering resilience and understanding during grief. My methods not only alleviate the immediate pain of loss but also nurture a path towards long-term emotional well-being and empowerment.

No grief has the same footprint and it is one of the most different emotional experiences to go through. Whether it is a loss of a loved one, a recent breakup, sudden job loss, divorce, a child going off to college, new health conditions or financial changes, I am here to support you as you walk through the experience, and to help you understand your loss, feel witnessed in the process and find new meaning in your experience.

Grief can be experienced in many different ways and sometimes the loss felt so strongly that it is helpful to talk to a professional. I offer a safe and comforting space to listen and suggest ways to process and move through grief for adults, teens and children. Making meaning through means of ritual, journaling, art or simply making space are several approaches that I utilize to support my clients during times of loss.

Grief and loss comes in all forms, from the death of a pet, to moving, to the loss of a dream, to the death of a child or spouse, and more. My clients discover grief and loss are a process (which includes: shock/disbelief, anger, blaming, depression/sadness, bargaining, and denial), and how to move through that process to an increased state of acceptance. As their state of acceptance increases, my clients experience an increase in forgiveness, healing, freedom and hope for the present and future. My clients see how they can begin to feel good about their life and future again.

Losses from death, miscarriages & abortions, divorce, important relationships, jobs, friends, pets, integrity, independence, are all significant and important to process. Complicated grief requires skill and patience but is possible. Spirituality is an important component of grieving, finalizing and reconciling losses especially the most difficult ones.

So much of my experience as a therapist has roots in supporting clients with grief and loss. Grief is a process, and I can guide you through each phase of grief. We all grieve in our own time, but it's best to do so with a therapist. By allowing the feelings (anger, sadness, frustration, fear, sorrow) to flow through you, the grieving process will happen at a healthier pace. If you feel lost, alone, and struggling to process a loss, I can be your guide. Facing hospice, palliative care, or the loss of a loved one suddenly can each have its own special set of challenges. This is a personal journey, and I am here to offer you support, understanding, and a safe place.