Marriage and Family Therapist, Woodland Counseling
Grief and loss are painful emotional experiences we will have during our lifetime. As you know, your loved one can't be replaced. l will partner with you to assist in your healing from the loss you are experiencing. We will work together to rebalance your life and I will facilitate your healing process. We will work on what the relationship meant/means to you and support you in honoring your loved one in whatever way is most meaningful to you. Therapy methods will be adapted to your preferences but many people find EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing) especially helpful.
Grief is a process that is painful, beautiful and intense. Grief counseling involves exploring emotions and feelings around the loss, identifying coping strategies and practicing good self care.
Grief and loss is a normal part of the human experience, yet the suffering is intense and often lengthy. Grief work can be for the loss of a loved one, pet, job, identity, social group, dream/goal, ability, or construct. In therapy, we discuss the difference between "normal grief" (though grief looks different for different people) and "complicated grief" where any number of factors can act as a hinderance to the grieving process. Complicated grief can look like any of the following: having a complicated relationship with the deceased (unsaid words, unsettled grievances), death that is unexpected or violent, underlying attachment wounds, lack of support/understanding from your others, or any traumatic aspect of the experience surrounding the loss. At Denver Wellness Counseling, we approach grief work with the goal of healthy grief, which is a two pronged (somewhat conflicting) goal of moving on in life while also remaining connected to the deceased in a way that feels right. We often use EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) to address the complicating or traumatic factors that are hindering the grief process. Grief work always includes a component of future work, guiding the client to successfully imagine a future where they can maintain some connection to the loss, while also living what they consider a good life.
In many areas of life, we are not "out of moves." However, in grief, there is nowhere to eventually go but acceptance, and there are so many feelings that are part of this process - that are not linear. I take a companion approach to grief and am with you every step of the way.
Losing someone you care about can feel devastating and as though your world is crumbling. Perhaps you are unsure as to how to move forward in life. Please reach out and do not face these losses alone.
Grief, loss, end of life concerns, death anxiety, terminal illness, and life-limiting illnesses are all areas of speciality for me in psychotherapy. It is an honor to be with an individual and family as they navigate grief and loss. I have experience working with
children and adults after a loss and those who are preparing for the loss of a loved one.
Overcoming a significant loss or the weight of grief can feel like being tossed and turned by your emotions like a whirlpool. I will sit with you in it and be there for you to process and work through all of the complex feelings involved with the depths of bereavement.
Loss and grief work entails understanding that grief encompasses a roller coaster of emotions. Grief work is not linear. One day, we can feel "some normalcy" and the next we feel the world is shattering around us. Grief can be a lonely journey due to feeling those around us do not understand our pain and despair. There is hope and while the grief may never go away the journey takes us to a place where our grief evolves.
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW/LMSW, CBEIP-MH
Most therapy involves a certain level of processing grief. I work collaboratively with clients to help process grief as well as explore effective coping strategies to manage problematic symptoms.
When we experience loss or grief, it can be consuming, overwhelming, confusing and sad, especially if we are going through this alone. Here at MTS, we strive to provide a safe space for you to process those feelings of sadness, anger, confusion and other feelings due to your loss with a qualified mental health professional that can assist you in finding happiness and meaning in your life, once again. Contact me today for a free 15-minute consultation to get started on your therapeutic journey today!
Grief and loss is a universal human experience, one that often plays a role in depression, anxiety, and complex trauma reactions. I help clients process loss and learn to understand grief and loss as emotions that are natural, at times overwhelming, and often as a sign that we experienced love and meaning.
Navigating the terrain of grief and loss is a deeply personal process, and my approach is rooted in compassion, patience, and understanding. I recognize that each person's experience of loss is unique, and there's no "right" way to grieve. In our sessions, I offer a supportive space where you can express your sorrow, confusion, and memories without judgment. We'll explore the impact of your loss, acknowledging the pain while also discovering ways to honor your loved one and the relationship you shared. Together, we'll work on coping strategies that resonate with you, helping you to gradually find a new sense of balance and meaning in life. My aim is to walk beside you through your grief, offering support and guidance as you move through the healing process at your own pace.
Loss or grief can be overwhelming for your mind to handle. There can be healthy coping skills and ways to allow yourself to heal. CBT, DBT, ACT, TFCBT, and solution focused therapy is used to provide coping skills, and with my help, we can bring healing.
If you have ever experienced some sort of loss from a loved one, a pet, your home, career or anything that has left a space where you are grieving. Therapeutically, working through the stages of grief allowing yourself to feel all the feels can be an amazing but tough journey. Grieving looks different for everyone. Allow me to meet you where you are therapeutically in order to support you on your journey of healing.
Loss or grief can be overwhelming for your mind to handle. There can be healthy coping skills and ways to allow yourself to heal. CBT, DBT, ACT, TFCBT, and solution focused therapy is used to provide coping skills, and with my help, we can bring healing.
Whether it is the loss of a loved one, the loss of a close relationship, job, hope or dream, grief is a painful, devastating and overwhelming experience. My journey as a grief counselor began with providing individual, family and group therapy at a volunteer Hospice where I saw bereaved, actively dying, caregiver and anticipatory grief clients of all ages. I have the experience and understanding to guide clients through the process of learning how to get through the day despite deep pain, develop ways of coping with their emotions and finding a healing path forward.
"Grief is love with no place to go" -- that is the framework that guides my work with grief and loss. I work to make space for the love that no longer knows where to go.