Grief Therapy

“Love and grief are two sides of the same precious coin. One does not—and cannot—exist without the other. They are the yin and yang of our lives… Grief is predicated on our capacity to give and receive love.” – Alan D. Wolfelt

Are you grieving a loss and needing support?

• Did you lose someone special to you, either to death, a breakup, diverging paths, or a major life-change?

• Struggling to move forward because the grief is so overwhelming?

• Is there unfinished business you wish you were able to communicate to the person you lost?

• Feeling tired, depressed, frustrated, having trouble coping and unsure what to do?

In our lifetime, we all experience loss in one form or another. Whether a parent, grandparent, child, pet, partner, or friend, we all go through some form of loss at different points in life. It is a natural part of the human condition. Unfortunately, there isn’t always room or a space to adequately grieve after such a loss. We feel pressure to either keep our work and home life running, or try to avoid the feelings altogether out of fear of falling apart. Culturally, we honor less and less the process of grief and loss, quickly trying to move through it like it didn’t even happen…

Often times repressing or defending against the feelings surrounding grief can only make them bigger, until we reach a boiling point. When we’re able to finally reach a place of acknowledging the grief and giving it room to fully be here, the healing can begin. Perhaps you are at this point now and ready to process some of it or know deep down that you need help getting there. Maybe you are aware you are holding back your true feelings out of fear, anxiety, or worry of falling apart, but deep down wanting space to be with all that’s here. Wherever you are in your grief process, know that you can have support along the way. You do not have to face it all alone.

“Each person's grief is as unique as their fingerprint. But what everyone has in common is that no matter how they grieve, they share a need for their grief to be witnessed.”

- David Kessler

Though each person’s grief process looks a little different, as part of the common human experience, we all understand in one form or another how it feels to lose something. In this, we can serve as empathic witnesses for each other’s process in a way that feels supportive and healing, without shame or judgement, or in directing how the process takes shape. We can trust the natural unfolding of the grief as it comes through, and follow the internal thread that ultimately guides us toward insight, wisdom, and relief.

Common problems that arise during these rites of passage include:

• Depression or feelings of lostness

• Chronic pain

• Intense mood swings

• Shutting down or acting out/rage

• Anxiety and overwhelm (See anxiety therapy for more on this)

• Problems with substance use and other maladaptive coping strategies

• Comparing oneself to others

• Insomnia

• More…

Grief therapy can help you get through the darkness into the light.

Getting help from a compassionate and competent therapist can support you in your journey toward becoming the empowered and confident person you want to be, both within yourself and in your relationships. In individual therapy, you will be provided with an intentional, safe space to talk about whatever issues are arising, address the needs that are going unseen or unmet, process feelings that are causing you pain, and begin to find the insights needed to rebuild yourself so you can feel more secure and on your path.

In individual therapy we will:

• Identify ongoing patterns and behaviors that are no longer serving you

• Address the major issues, including: unmet needs, emotions present that want to be processed, old and new traumas, relationships, situations, and and patterns of behavior no longer serving you, etc.

• Find and develop your “no” and your “yes”

• Develop tools, resources, and strategies for living a life in alignment with your most authentic and empowered self

Being a person in the world provides us with the opportunity for spiritual awakening and bliss, while at the same time showing us the vulnerable or hardened parts of ourselves that are still deeply wounded - all in order to come to a place of strength and wholeness. Our true nature can become hindered through experiences of oppression, trauma, mistreatment, insecurity, or overdoing, to name a few. These experiences can affect not only how we feel emotionally and in our bodies, but can also impact how we relate with other women, men, children, co-workers, and the like. In individual therapy, I use a mix of psycho-somatic therapy and EFT (Emotionally focused therapy) to inform the work. By understanding the deep messages of the body alongside emotions arising, we come to know more of what we truly want and need so we are more in tune with ourselves moving forward and equipped to respond to ourselves and situations in a more authentic and aligned way. I also utilize Hakomi immersion therapy, guided imagery, attachment theory, parts work, and mindfulness and meditation to supplement the work we do.

Common questions that arise when considering grief therapy:

“Will individual therapy be triggering?”

Therapy can inevitably bring things to the surface that were once dormant or hidden. It can unearth old wounds and make them more visible to you. In this sense, it can heighten your awareness of issues that have always been there and cause some stress. However, a good therapist will ideally help you to be with challenges in a way that is tolerable, and furthermore help you figure out what is needed in order to support yourself in moments when they inevitably arise again. In practicing this together in therapy, you will then be able to take this practice with you outside the session. During these intimate moments, we are able to more clearly see how to best support ourselves and to do so with ease moving forward.

“I’m fearful of doing the deeper work”

I offer a free initial phone consultation to ensure we will be a good fit before starting therapy. During this call, I can answer any questions or concerns that may be arising as well as offer a glimpse into the work we will be doing together. It is my goal to create an environment where each woman feels safe, seen, and heard. My hope is that you will be able to feel that from the very beginning of treatment and throughout each session together. It is also my wish that any resistance that shows up in therapy can be respected, spoken to, and explored. 

“I’m worried the therapy won’t work…”

Healing isn’t linear. Sometimes the experience of therapy can feel like two steps forward, one step back. In individual therapy, my aim is not to give you the answers, but instead to create a space and offer guidance so that you can find your own. In this way, the healing is deeper and more effective. At any given time, I am open to feedback on how the process is feeling and to make adjustments necessary for you to feel like you are getting what you really crave from the work we do and that progress is truly being made.