The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain. – Kahlil Gibran
Individual Grief Therapy
There are so many ways that grief and loss show up in our lives. Sometimes they are big and profound losses and their grief feels like an earthquake. Other times they are losses that leave a quieter impression, yet still change us. Sometimes grief comes immediately after a loss, other times, it shows up later - even years or decades later and often when we least expect it. One thing that is common about the different types of grief and loss is that they are all life altering and require us to pivot and reinvest in our lives in ways that we had not expected. Whatever your loss, it is as unique and individual as you are. I would be honored to walk alongside you in support.
Specialty Areas of Grief Counseling:
Adults who were bereaved in childhood
Suicide death
Death of a loved one
Delayed grief
Re-emergence of old grief
Traumatic death
Family Estrangement
Consultation with caregivers of children who experienced the death of a parent, caregiver or sibling
Other types of loss that I work with:
Loss of a relationships - divorce, long term relationship or friendship (LGBTQ+, ENM affirming)
Loss of a job, changes in financial status
Chronic illness, changes in health and physical abilities
Aging
I am unable to provide therapy for children/adolescents and individuals experiencing grief from pet loss. I am happy to assist you with locating a provider who specializes in these fields.
I find it helpful to think of grief as a living, evolving being; one that pulses through your life with varying degrees of intensity. And as a living, evolving being, grief needs first and foremost to be seen, to be witnessed; it then needs to be integrated or metabolized. The grief process is not linear and despite popular belief, we do not move through stages and arrive at an end point. For many people, grief happens while you are living your life. Afterall, life carries on, even when we have experienced tremendous loss. I will work with you to explore and identify ways you can modulate between creating space for your grief and still attending to life’s essentials.
Initially therapy will involve you sharing with me about your loss and the pain you are experiencing. We will explore how you are coping (or not), who the person (or thing) you lost is and what they and their loss means to you. I will want to know what your support systems are, if any, and how you are engaging with them.
During this narrative process, we will work on building a toolbox of coping and emotional regulation skills that can support you in your day to day life outside of the therapy office. We will identify ways that you can honor your loss in a meaningful way. You are transforming from the moment your loss occurred and eventually you will start making meaning out of your loss and finding strength within it to move forward.
Utilizing evidence based models and integrating your own individualized needs and goals, I will be paying attention for key indicators that you may be ready to start taking steps towards developing a new identity after loss. I will check in with you frequently and never make assumptions about what the loss means to you. Eventually, you will be ready to identify ways to maintain an enduring connection with your loved one or your previous life, while embarking on your new life.