Areas of Expertise
Grief & Loss
“You will be whole again, but you will never be the same. Nor should you be the same. Nor would want to.” -Elizabeth Kubler-Ross and David Kessler from On Grief and Grieving
The loss of someone we care about is one of the most difficult things we will ever go through as humans. At times we may ask ourselves, “Will I ever be the same again?” Although a significant loss is bound to change you, it doesn’t mean you can’t feel better, begin to have hope for the future, or move past the gut-wrenching pain that a death can leave you with. Remember though, there is no timeline for grief.
People often ask me, “Am I going crazy?” The multitude of emotional and physical symptoms experienced after a loss are common, but can be distressing for you. It is important to keep in mind everyone grieves differently and there is no “right way” to grieve. It can be helpful to have someone to share your thoughts and feelings with and help you understand what’s normal in the grieving process. It IS possible to starting enjoying life again.
Pet Loss
The death of a pet can be extremely difficult and can come with its own complexities. Often people feel embarrassed to talk about how the loss of a companion animal is affecting them. It can be isolating because people don’t seem to quite understand the heaviness and significance of the loss. You may hear unhelpful and hurtful comments like “it’s just a dog/cat” or “why don’t you just get another one?”. The unconditional love we receive from our pets can leave us with a huge void after their death and one that others may not seem to quite comprehend. I understand the impact the death of a pet can have on a person and the common emotions associated with pet loss, allowing me to better help you through your grief.
"I gave you shelter,
You gave me joy.
I gave you food,
You gave me loyalty.
I gave you walks,
You gave me companionship.
I gave you my heart,
You gave me unconditional love."
-Unknown
Self-Esteem
“You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.” -Buddha
Low Self Esteem is characterized by feeling badly about yourself or having a lack of confidence. You may feel unable to live up to the expectations of yourself or the perceived expectations of others, despite continued efforts otherwise. Self esteem issues can keep you from reaching your true potential and can impact aspects of your life including your job and relationships. Issues with self worth, feeling hypersensitive, or having the fear of not being perfect, can also stem from lowered self esteem. Beginning to restructure negative self talk can help you begin to gain confidence and acknowledge your worth, leading to a happier, healthier, more successful you!
Depression
“The only thing more exhausting than being depressed is pretending that you’re not.” -Anonymous
Depression is one of the leading causes of disability in the U.S., affecting more than 16 million American adults over the age of 18. It is also one of the most common reasons people seek therapy. Depression can affect every aspect of your life including your mood, physical health, work, and relationships. It can leave you feeling deflated, hopeless, irritable, like you are “in a fog” or “empty”, and sometimes even lead to thoughts of suicide or death. I want to encourage you that you can feel better! Depression can be isolating, but you don’t have to go through it alone.
Life Transitions & Stress
“The Art of life lies in a constant readjustment to our surroundings”. -Kakuzo Okakura
Stress can wreak havoc on our minds and bodies. This stress can be the result of things such as an occupation (such as a firefighter, police officer, correctional officer) that results in regular exposure to trauma, or a new role (such as a caregiver, a new mom). It can also be the result of a transition in life (such as a divorce, break-up, a move). Transitions bring about change, which is never easy. Regardless of the cause, it can be difficult to cope with ongoing stress and can leave us feeling helpless, anxious, depressed, and/or feeling drained emotionally and physically.
I can help you work through this difficult time by helping you find positive coping strategies and modifying your emotional responses to the stressful situations in your life.