Grief and Bereavement
Losing a loved one is one of the most difficult transitions in life. You may be uncertain how to move forward in a world without the one you loved. Initially the pain, disorientation, and shock can lead the way to anger, hopelessness, and withdrawal. The thought of moving forward seems like a daunting task. The grief counselors at A Healing Path Counseling & Consulting, PLLC are committed to helping you walk that journey to a new and different life by coping with the grief and pain. We are honored to serve and support you in this new reality.
Medical Diagnosis
Life changes in a split-second. One second you are living a normal existence, the next you are told that you or a loved one’s life will be forever changed. The words, “you have cancer”, “you have to have surgery”, “you have to change your entire life”, “you have 6 months to live” can be devastating. Everything in your world becomes secondary in that moment. Life change often happens this quickly.
Whether you are the patient or care for the patient, A Healing Path Counseling understands the complexities of those emotions, not to mention the navigation of the medical system. As the patient, you have a million thoughts about the future and worrying about the people around you and their well-being. As a care giver, you may not know how to best help your loved one suffering or cope with the feelings of hopelessness. Additionally, you may now be in the stressful position of having to make decisions about how to move forward with care.
These situations are so incredibly difficult. We recognize this and empathize with you, and our counselors are here to help. We know this is not easy, so we are ready to talk about these concerns with you.
LGBTQ Issues
There has been a remarkable change over the past 20 years in the way society accepts folks in the LGBTQ community. The part of life that used to be hidden is now openly embraced on television and in the media. Yet, there are still areas of discrimination and rejection right under the surface. These can be magnified by whatever our parents, church community and school taught us about being different. We all have internalized homophobia, the same way we all have internalized racism. It doesn’t mean we are bad –just wounded and carrying around the baggage of our upbringing. Navigating relationships, family, dating, and work environments is challenging for straight folks – add the layer of homophobia – acknowledged or subversive adds an extra dimension of challenge for those that are struggling. We offer a safe, compassionate and understanding place to examine whatever road blocks and issues are before you.
Adoption / Foster Care
Adoption can be a beautiful journey, but it can also entail so much heartbreak and grief. From awareness of, and acceptance of, infertility for the adoptive parents, to the agony of placing a child for the birth family, and to the hurt of rejection and the loss of the biological family for an adoptee; there can be so many emotions to work through.
The same goes for foster families and children in care. For children who have been through the foster care system, it can be extremely difficult to navigate the experience of possibly bouncing around from home to home and having your biological family in and out of your life. For foster parents, it can be incredibly tough to learn how to parent children who have been through so much. Together, we will discuss the joys and heartbreaks of adoption and foster care.
A Healing Path Counseling has a professional who has worked in the adoption and foster care industry for many years. She can help you work through the thoughts and feelings that you have experienced as an adoptee or child in foster care, or as an adoptive or foster parent.
Other Life Transitions
Life transitions come in so many forms, and all create feelings of upheaval and mental instability for a moment in life, some are longer than others. Some of the most common transitions include:
- Ending a relationship / Divorce
- Getting Married
- Going to College
- Beginning a new job
- Moving
- Having Children / Empty Nest
Often these circumstances bring stress and anxiety. These feelings can create changes in your behaviors, your work, and your relationships. Your old identity seems to be lost. The people that have been in your life for support are no longer a part of your solution. This is when research-based interventions at A Healing Path Counseling are available to assist and support you in your journey.