Grief and Loss Counselling in Barrie, ON.

Grief counseling helps people cope with grief and mourning following the loss of a loved one or due to major life changes that trigger feelings of grief (i.e. job loss or divorce). It provides a space for individuals to work through and process the complex emotions surrounding loss. Healthy grieving results in remembering the loss with a newfound sense of peace, rather than searing pain.

Clients experiencing grief and loss will receive compassionate, specialized support from our skilled therapists. Through our personalized approach, we help clients process their emotions, find meaning in their experiences, and develop coping strategies. Our therapists provide nonjudgmental and safe environment where clients can explore their grief at their own pace, fostering healing and resilience.

It is excruciating to endure the pain of grief and loss. Often we cope with avoidance, distraction, numbing or burying our feelings. It's understandable. What we know is that when we confront and face the pain we can heal. We can feel pressured by others to 'get over it' and this can cause anger, hurt and frustration. My hope is to hold space for the range of emotions you may be experiencing where ever you are in your grief process. Grief is not to be overcome but to learn to carry as we move forward in life. In therapy we can explore what mourning looks like and how to reduce suffering amidst the pain.

Often the loss of a loved one, pet, item, or aspect of a person can lead to intense feelings of grief. At times when the loss is surrounded by traumatic events this grief becomes complicated. Clients will often find that reprocessing these traumatic moments that led to the loss will help them be able to cope with any feelings that come up. They may find that their memories are no longer haunted by feelings of anxiety, extreme sadness, or loss of hope.

The grieving process is a natural and healthy reaction to loss, but individuals may become stuck in the process and unable to move forward with life. When the intense and overwhelming feelings of grief linger for an extended period of time, it is called "complicated grief". This heightened state of mourning prevents one from healing and recovery, which is where therapy can help. ​ If you are experiencing complicated grief, counselling can give you the support needed to healthily recover and find new meaning and acceptance in your life. You will learn how to cope with the painful emotions, accept the devastating loss, and adjust to your new reality.

Loss leaves a horrible feeling with a person. We feel left behind and unsure of where to go next. We ought to process these emotions in addition to imagining what moving forward could look like. It is my job to help facilitate this process and be a part of this journey venturing forward which may sometimes involve looking back. However, it is my ultimate belief that we can and will move on and move forward.

Grief and loss are often associated with death. However, we experience grief and loss in our daily lives, whether we lose a job, a relationship, a friend, a house, etc. Learning to cope with the grief and loss in our lives is important to living a healthy life. Grief and loss are not linear processes. You may experience stage 5 one day and stage 2 the following – and that’s okay. At the Reflection Centre, our team of trained professionals are here to help support you through the stages of grief and assist you in coping with the losses in your life.

First, my condolences... The death of a loved one or the loss of a significant relationship is the most stressful event we can experience. I can offer you practical support and strategies to cope with your loss as well as to establish new meaning. I also provide therapeutic support for those who anticipate the loss of a loved one during at end of life care as well as helping prepare individuals with their end of life transition.

Grief can feel overwhelming and confusing and it can be hard to know how to cope with these emotions and our sense of loss. In times like these it can be so helpful to have a person come alongside and walk this journey with you. In my work with individuals who have experienced grief, I support each person to discover their own unique path to healing from grief. Book a free consultation to explore if we are a good fit.

After loosing someone close to you it is often hard to find emotional balance. Therapy can provide you with a safe space to process your loss and the difficult emotions that often follow. Feeling sad, lonely, angry, and confused are all normal and healthy emotions to experience during this time. Working with a therapist can help you through these tough emotions as well as how to feel normal and happy again.

With Gestalt therapy the five tasks of mourning, are supported: (1) To accept the reality of the loss, (2) To experience the pain of grief, (3) To adjust to the environment in which the deceased is missing, (4) To withdraw (some) emotional energy and reinvest it in another relationship, and (5) To find a place for and maintain a continuing bond with what we lose, however not in any specific order. A gestalt therapist supports the bereaved with an emphasis on a "loving authentic presence and communication that allows expression of EACH other’s personhood" so that feelings are honored and explored at the clients own pace. The here and now is emphasized and that is what leads to support/change

In times of deep loss, finding a way forward can feel overwhelming. With rich experience supporting those living with terminal illnesses and families who have lost loved ones, I understand there are no "right" ways to grieve. I offer a compassionate, non-judgmental space where you can share your unique journey. I’ll be here with you, honoring your feelings and helping you heal at your own pace, with empathy and care. Please schedule a free consultation with me to see if we are a good fit.

Grief is a complex experience that may be accompanied by a diversity of difficult emotions that are challenging to work around. However, you are not alone. Each of us have a unique relationship with grief, and I am here to support you in discovering what that relationship looks like for you. You don’t have to know where to start or where you are going in your pathway to healing. There is no correct way to grieve. Contact me to book a free consultation to see if we would be a good fit.