Grief Counseling 

Are you someone who has not been able to get over a loss of someone, your health status, a relationship, a job, your previous way of life, or some other major change of life?  Do you struggle with the loss and not being able to get on with your life, or not being able to function after the loss...not being able to work it through?  Do you sometimes think 'If I could just get on with my life and not be haunted by the loss...to regain some sense of normalcy--not that I'll ever totally get over' what is is that you've lost?  Do you have trouble just getting going--doing the things you normally do?  And if you do get going you're dealing with the memories, either of the loss itself or a loved one that you lost, finding yourself thinking 'I just can't seem to get past it.'  

Everybody Has to Deal with Loss

This is not an uncommon thing.  Everybody has to deal with grief and loss at some point in their lives, as everyone is affected by death and dying sooner or later.  The immensity of the loss is a complicating factor:  as spouse, a parent, a job, a child's death can be hugely impactful.  Even a positive life change can evoke feelings of loss.  If you think something 'shouldn't' make you feel bad, that can make it hard to overcome.  Even losing a pet can be a terribly difficult loss to get through.  

Why Grief Counseling Can Be Important

Grief counseling can help people get 'over the hump' and to move on with their lives, even if it will never be the same again.  I have several techniques in addition to regular talk therapy that can aid in working through a loss.  I can safely say that over 90% of my cases have resolved in under 6 months or 20 sessions.   

What Makes Counseling with Me Particularly Helpful

My clients can expect to gain a thorough understanding of the grieving process, and how to work through each particular stage.  They will also understand their unique reactions to the loss and to have these worked through to completion so the loss is no longer something that they are haunted by and that keeps them from getting on with their lives.  I approach my clients with an attitude of reverence and compassion, with safety being of primary importance.  I use techniques that are designed to help you process the intense feelings that can keep you from healing.  Each of these is chosen based on what works for you.  Your brain is built for healing and to help you get through your grief.  I've been working with clients in the Austin area for almost 10 years now.   I researched this issue throughly as part of my master's degree work in the midst of my own father's demise and passing, so I know how to work with this issue because I had to get through my loss to put some ideas to the test.  

Some Common Obstacles to Getting Grief Counseling:

1)  Thinking  'I'll never get past the loss.'  Just because you haven't overcome it yet doesn't mean you never will.  Getting grief counseling is one of the proven ways of doing this.

2)  Thinking that getting past the grief would dishonor your loved one.   Your loved one wouldn't want you to suffer endlessly after their death, so why entertain thoughts that this is so.  I can help put this idea to rest in my work with you.

3)  Thinking 'No one really understands what I've been through anyway, so it won't help to get help.'  No one has experienced your particular loss, but that doesn't mean they don't understand your feelings about it and can't relate to them.  The more people I work with the more I understand the universality of the grief experience and can assure you the feelings and emotions are so much the same that the differences are paled by them in comparison.  

One Case of Successful Completion of Grief Counseling

I've worked with a widow in the not too distant past who was able to get closure on a very traumatic loss of her husband within several months using EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and Image Transformation Therapy (ImTT).  These two therapies help with loss that has been particularly shocking or profound, also known as complicated grief.  There are other ways of resolving losses that can be equally effective, but I've found these two to be especially helpful in allowing people to get closure with losses they've experienced.  

If you'd like to find out how I can help you in getting through your grief and loss, feel free to fill out the contact form below, give me a call at 512-648-3053, or fill out the form below to arrange a free 15 minute phone consult.  I've worked with many people on their grief for almost 10 years now in the Austin area.  I'd be happy to talk with you and give you a better idea of what working with me would be like, as well as a chance to answer any questions you may have.  Chances are any help is better than you continuing to suffer alone!