GRIEF & Loss Counseling.

There is no closure in grief but rather a new and a continuing bond.

Culture, spirituality, ethnicity, and religion shape a family’s values and beliefs—forming the foundation of one’s worldview. From within this system, children observe family members participating in loss rituals that help accept the loss and grieve a loved one’s death.

These early experiences can influence how we respond to loss in the future. One of my first tasks as your grief counselor is to invite you to share your first experiences with loss. This self-narrative helps me understand your core beliefs, values, and worldview.

While each individual responds to loss uniquely—and each loss evokes a unique response—our worldview and belief system buoy our early coping strategies throughout our life’s journey.

The Uniqueness of Mourning.

Each loss is unique. Each expression of grief is unique. There is no “right” way to grieve.

In our work together, I recognize your mourning as an individual person with and individual loss. I meet you where you are in your grieving process, assuring you that grief does not have a set of stages or a timeline. We work together to identify personal metaphors for your grief, and I provide validation for your wide range of emotions..

I encourage you to experience, heal, and grow from the pain and sorrow you experience in loss as human and pet parents, spouses, partners, adult children, friends, colleagues, and the world at large.

You can make meaning out of loss, identify ways to continue to strengthen your bond with your loved one, and reengage in life on your timeline—no one else’s.

Through the integration of healing talk therapy, expressive arts, and meaning-making exercises, you are able to share your loss stories, find meaning in your loss(es), and reconstruct a life that helps you maintain continuing bonds while reconstructing your new life.

WHAT DOES A grief counseling SESSION LOOK LIKE?

The first session gives you an opportunity to tell the story of you and your loved one, and we discuss five important areas of wellness during mourning.

During these sessions, you are the driver of your experiences. I listen closely with empathy and non-judgment. I pose questions, share observations, and actively engage you in a deeper exploration of your presenting topics to assist in finding a way to express your thoughts, feelings, and emotions in a safe and respectful manner.

Regular sessions are 53 minutes and focus on the issues you bring and continue our discussions from prior sessions.

WHAT TOPICS DO WE DISCUSS?

All topics are open for discussion. I encourage you to explore emotions associated with your grief and how your loved one made a life imprint on you. Our time together will include working through the 6 needs of mourning:

• Accept the reality of the death.

• Face the pain and suffering of your loss.

• Develop continuing bonds with your loved one.

• Reconstruct your self-identity.

• Find meaning and purpose in your loss.

• Reengage in life and relationships.

HOW MANY SESSIONS?

I recommend a commitment of at least 10 sessions, upon which we review progress and determine next steps together. You can terminate our work together at any time.