When change occurs, there is always some kind of loss associated with it. Often changes are pleasant and sometimes change is the result of a significant loss. Loss can be due to many things including:

• Major life changes such as getting laid off of work or having to move
• Serious injury, illness, or the death of a loved one
• Violent crime such as theft or physical violation

Losing someone or something you love or care about deeply can be very painful. When grieving a loss, you may experience a roller coaster of unpleasant emotions such as sadness, anger, confusion, guilt, numbness, and profound loneliness. Often it can feel like the pain and sadness you’re experiencing will never end, like something inside you has died. There is a wide range of normal reactions to significant loss. And, there is no right or wrong way to grieve. Sometimes it can be too difficult to cope with the thoughts and emotional pain by yourself. Often people try to put the pain aside by keeping busy or using drugs, alcohol, and other distractions. Many people say that they do not want to burden their family and friends by sharing their unpleasant, intense, and ongoing grief process, so they try and go it alone.

I am an experienced grief therapist who has assisted individuals and families in effectively working through complex grieving situations such as multiple recent losses, sudden and/or violent death, delayed grieving, parent loss, partner loss, and child loss. I have a background working with the dying and bereaved at a local hospice agency. I find I have a considerable ability to create compassionate and sacred space for clients to experience a healthy grieving process.