Grief, a feeling we often know very little about, until suddenly we are thrown into it. Quickly it resonates inside of us as if we have just been pushed off a very tall mountain, without any survival gear, and so we hit the bottom bewildered, alone, and scared. Experiencing the death of a loved one becomes uncharted territory. Unfortunately, this feeling is something we will all experience during our lifetime, yet as a culture something we are not taught to cope with or even talk about.
When we experience a loss, regardless of its form, we must grieve what was in order to integrate what can be. As a society, we have been taught there are 5 stages of grief, yet when you actually experience a loss, it hardly follows any sort of schedule. Grief is organic with a life of its own, and can take on many forms from disbelief, prolonged sadness to debilitating, crippling devastation. Grief is a process. When a loss occurs, those left behind must learn to live in a new world, one where their loved one no longer exists. Life will never be the same, nor should it, because they are no longer here. Yet, this loss does not mean that in time we cannot still go on to create meaningful, beautiful, fulfilling lives.
Through my work and personal experience, I have found a transformative purpose in specializing in this area and providing compassionate support to those who have been impacted by grief.
In the process of grief counseling, we will work together to sort through many emotions, feelings and reactions. We will explore questions often asked including, “Will I ever be able to go on; will I ever be happy again?”. After a death, our roles in life often change. We might instantly become a single parent or widow, or we may no longer be caregivers. After a death, our lives are greatly impacted. It is often common for us to experience loneliness, forgetfulness, difficulty sleeping, eating and much more. To help navigate this difficult journey, grief support counseling can help you begin the process of exploring a new grounded path towards healing, while honoring your loved one. As a team, we will work together, one day at a time, sometimes one minute at a time, to find and build the survival tools to not only cope in this new world, but to live life once more with joy, hope and healing.
I support clients through individual counseling sessions as well as Grief Groups within the community.
I know that reaching out and asking for help can be a daunting step after a loved one has passed away. Please take your time and feel free to connect with me as soon as you feel ready. 626-703-2401