Grief or Loss

Grief and loss affect all of us at one time or another. Coping with grief and loss - whether it is sudden or expected - is a highly individual process. Such losses can dramatically affect our ability to cope. It can be very scary and unimaginable for us to think about plans for the future without our loved one. Grieving becomes complicated when our loved one died from a traumatic event or suicide. Please reach out if you are struggling with these issues.

Emotionally preparing for the anticipated passing of a loved one; managing feelings and reactions to a death or loss of significance; support during the process of healing and acceptance

Grief and loss come in many shapes, from the death of a loved one, to the loss of a job, a relationship, or physical abilities. Many people are experiencing a loss but don't recognize it as such until we begin to talk about it. I am a certified grief counselor in addition to being board certified in general counseling. No two grief journeys are identical although there are landmarks that can provide some guidance along the way. I will be honored to walk with and support you on your journey.

Death Loss, Alzheimer's, Caregiving, End of Life, Miscarriage, Parenting after Loss, Caring for Aging Parents, Anticipatory Grief, Life Limiting Illness, Cancer Diagnosis.

Part of the human experience is encountering & coping with loss. This is unavoidable. Grief and loss encompass many areas including but not limited to the death of a loved one, a pet, the loss of a relationship, job or an unexpected change in health. Grief & loss may be related to a dream or narrative we had for self which may no longer be an option. Heartache is real and can be devastating. It is important to put words to our emotions and allow them to move opposed to remaining stagnant.

Do you feel as if you're unable to move forward? Does your loss encompass your daily life? Do you struggle with feeling numb or emotionally overwhelmed? I've worked with clients on honoring their grief and remembering their loss. We work towards honoring their feelings while helping them reconnect with their lives. You don't have to go through this alone. Together, we can work towards healing.

Loss can be both tangible and intangible. Perhaps the person you "lost" is still sitting in your living room struggling with mental illness and just so different from the person you knew. Or maybe the person you lost is you, and you're trying to find your way. To lose a loved one goes far beyond death and dying, but the ambiguous loss of losing someone when the loss itself isn't clearly defined is messy. Learning to grieve your expectations, hopes, and dreams is the work we will do together.

I completed my entire counseling training working within the cancer/chronic illness field and continue to do so. Grief and loss is an essential part of a process and have supported hundreds of people through the grieving process as they lose a loved one or grief the loss of the life that has changed. Additionally, I have completed specialized training through Hood College's Thanatology program and was an award recipient of the 2022 Donna Mowry Thanatology Award.

I have worked in hospice for over 15 years. As the Doug's House program coordinator, I had the privilege of managing a home for people dying of HIV/AIDS for 3 years. They and their families allowed me into their hearts at one of the most difficult times of life, and it continues to inspire me in the work that I do. Though life's transitions can be gut-wrenching and traumatic, they also offer us a unique way of growing and healing old wounds.

Despite profound pain, the human spirit can mend, create cherished memories, and bear loss with resilience and laughter. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing(EMDR) aids in processing grief and separation distress, promoting positive memories and emotional release. This therapy fosters compassionate integration and adjustment, transitioning from "I cannot connect" to "I can connect"in the face of grief, all while maintaining the importance of preserving memories rather than erasing them.

People are often affected emotionally, behaviorally, physically, spiritually, and cognitively when they experience a significant loss. Grief counseling helps people manage major life changes, such as death of a loved one, divorce, infant loss, pet loss, job loss and other losses. Because grief impacts our lives on various levels and at varying intensities, it’s healthy and important to cope with grief. For some people, grief counseling is the best way to help identify and manage their thoughts,

Losing someone is one of the hardest experiences in life. It's a strange and overwhelming experience that can hit us in waves. I can sit with you in this pain and loss. Together, we can help you feel strong enough and grounded enough to grieve.

If you’re looking for a straightforward, non-judgmental, and empathetic therapist who specializes in grief – you’ve found her. I’ve built my practice around both research and lived grief experience, and strive to meet my clients wherever they are in their grief process. I’m aware that grief radiates through every arena of your life and I believe that through our work it can be integrated, so that grief isn't the loudest voice in the room.

"Grief and loss touch us all, arriving at our doorsteps in many ways. Left unattended, these sorrows can seep underground, darkening our days. It is our unexpressed sorrows, that, when left untouched, block our access to the vitality of the soul. To be able to freely move in and out of the soul's inner chambers, we must first clear the way. This requires finding meaningful ways to speak of sorrow and loss. It requires an apprenticeship with sorrow" - Francis W.

I have experience providing others with compassionate and caring support as they process grief and adjust to loss. My practice is informed by a lifespan development approach to how loss impacts us at different stages of life, as well as by mindfulness techniques and diverse spiritual and philosophical understandings of how grief and loss are inevitable aspects of life from which we can learn and grow.

We are sorely prepared to navigate grief and loss, whether it's loss by death or non-death - it's stupidly hard and nonsensical. Talking about death, grief, loss, and betrayal is of great interest to me. I'd love to work with you while you ride this roller coaster of emotions.

We meet where you are in your grieving process, and you learn to 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.

Grief is my jam! While honoring your unique experience, I help you sort out the tangled mess of emotions grief has left you in, honor your loved one creatively, and rebuild life without their physical presence. Ready to begin finding strength again during the midst of this struggle? You, courageous human, have come to the right place!

Everyone will experience loss in their lives. How we grieve is a unique process, however. I work with clients to normalize their own experience while assimilating to life after loss. Grief is never about "just getting over it".

Emotionally preparing for the anticipated passing of a loved one; managing feelings and reactions to a death or loss of significance; support during the process of healing and acceptance