Grief and Loss Counseling in California 

*Online Therapy in San Diego, CA Available*

How are you?

In the wake of a loss, you may hear this question frequently. But, feel stumped as to how to answer it. There is no one word that can clearly capture the depth and breadth of feeling that grief and loss brings. Sometimes, it may even feel quite absurd to assume that there is. It is more than just sadness. It feels different than depression. More than just loss. More than just anger. Truthfully, you may find that your feelings of grief change from day to day and sometimes hour to hour. This is normal, especially in the immediate aftermath.

There is no correct way to navigate grief and loss.

The experience of grief and loss comes in many shapes and sizes. It shows up after experiencing both big and small losses, in anticipation of, or in response to a death. Other times, a separation or even a change in your circumstance. The feelings that are elicited are all valid. What’s more, it can come after we lose something instead of someone. Perhaps we’re grieving what was supposed to be, what could have been, or what should have been. There’s no funeral attend for these losses. And, the expectation that we should just move on.

Starting grief counseling can bridge the grieving process

Regardless of where you are in your recovery from a loss, you’re navigating a lot of hard feelings. You compare yourself to where you’re “supposed” to be when looking at where you are. No matter your efforts, it doesn’t feel like you’ve come far enough. It’s been long enough. No one around me is upset, so why am I? I’m just being too sensitive; everyone goes through loss and my situation is not special. Grief counselors know how heavy this weighs on your mind and your life. Grief counseling in San Diego, CA, can assist you in navigating extending yourself some grace.

When do people seek grief counseling?

Through experience providing grief counseling, I understand that grief is different for each person. There is a wide range of what’s “normal” when it comes to grief. Furthermore, different people begin grief counseling for different reasons. Furthermore, we cannot expect their experience or the therapy process to look the same.  However, grieving is a normal and healthy response to the losses you may have experienced. For some people, however, support can be very helpful to process the experience. Some of the common reasons people might seek support through grief counseling include:

• Needing a space to share all of your thoughts and feelings with someone outside of the situation
• Getting through anniversaries and holidays
• Parenting while grieving
• Working through family conflict after a loss
• Developing the coping skills needed to work through the loss
• Building understanding and acceptance of the loss
• Tolerating the distress of the loss and the feelings of grief
• Navigating unresolved feelings, such as guilt
• Figuring out how to continue living while experiencing the loss
• Needing a supportive space to explore spiritual and existential questions
• Inconsolable and ongoing sadness and despair as a result of the loss
• Trouble adjusting

Grief Counseling in the San Diego, CA Area Can Help

Grief is heavy. It is a lot to carry. No matter how big or small your loss, the feelings it elicits can be very distressing and overwhelming to manage. As a clinician who has worked with people who have experienced losses of all kinds, support is needed. For some, it’s the loss of a loved one and they do not know how to go on without them. For others, it’s the loss of the life they were supposed to have. And now, they have no idea what step to take.  Loss has looked different for each person I’ve worked with. Additionally, loss feels different for every person that experiences it.

As a grief counselor, I have walked this road with many people. Providing a compassionate ear to hear your journey as you navigate the changes and challenges of this loss. This has been enormously helpful to work through how the loss has impacted them. And, how to continue going on despite the depth and breadth of their loss.

The Headway Therapy Approach to Grief Counseling

At Headway Therapy, grieving is recognized as a normal and healthy process. Your story of loss is processed together. With all of its complexities and accepting the reality of this loss, as painful as it might be, is an important step in your healing journey. Exploring your relationship to who or what has been lost is paramount. This can provide a meaningful and profound understanding to what this loss means for you. And, how it has changed you. Experiencing the resultant feelings this brings up is another step in working through your grief and loss. This is often incredibly apparent through our process in grief counseling.

Grief Counseling Can Help You Learn to Adjust

Similarly, learning to adjust to your new reality is another step in working through grief and loss. Typically, this is about learning to continue on your path. This also includes how to find joy again. And, to develop other relationships and to engage in your life without guilt and without feeling that it is a betrayal. At the end of the day, this is our goal in grief counseling.

Finding authentic contentment again, is one of the goals of grief counseling. This is most healthfully accomplished by finding a way to maintain a connection with who or what has been lost. Of course, this can look different ways. This can happen either by celebrating time shared together or lessons learned from your experiences. These are all valuable and important for you as you navigate your grief and loss. This is a possibility for you once you take the first step and begin grief counseling in San Diego, CA.

Online Grief Counseling in California

Grief counseling can be offered to anyone in the state of California through online therapy. Even if you don’t live in the San Diego area. Online grief counseling uses the same format as online therapy. So, this means that we are not limited by geographic location. On top of that, an added perk of online grief counseling is that you can fit our sessions when it works best for your schedule. No need to get a babysitter or arrange transportation. Regardless of you’re in Oakland, Bakersfield, or Riverside, our grief counselors are ready to work with you!

Begin Grief Counseling in San Diego, CA Area

Navigating grief and loss can feel like impossible tasks. However, you don’t have to do this alone. To start grief counseling in San Diego, CA area, follow these steps:

1. Contact Headway Therapy.
2. Meet with Amanda Freeman, PhD, PMH-C.
3. Begin working through your grief and loss.

Other Counseling Services at Headway Therapy

Grief and loss counseling is not the only service we offer in our Encinitas therapy group. Currently, we are seeing all of our through online therapy in California. Other mental health services at Headway Therapy include depression counseling, anxiety treatment, counseling and support for infertility, pregnancy counseling,  and postpartum support . I look forward to continuing this path with you!