Grief and Loss Counselling in Chatham Kent, ON.

Assisting people through the natural process of grief after a significant loss has been an important part of the work I do for over 15 years. Loss comes in many forms: death of a loved one, sickness and health challenges resulting in a deeply experienced loss of self, loss of relationships through divorce, familial conflict, retirement and even through loss of employment. Each of us will experience loss in our lives and each of us needs to know that we do not have to go through it alone. Therapy can help support you through this difficult time.

Grief and loss are weaved into our lives in an intimate way. Grief is natural, normal, unique and universal. Grief touches us all at one point or another and is an inevitable part of being human. The experience of grief may be associated with a range of emotions, thoughts and behaviours. It’s important to remember that the journey of grief is not linear and there is no right way to feel. Therapy is a safe space where you can explore your grief. We will move at a pace that feels comfortable to you and I will check in to ensure that you feel safe and supported. Please contact me to schedule a free 15-minute consultation to see if we are a good fit.

When you lose someone or something you love, it may seem like the pain will never end. I will hold space for your grief, and any emotion that comes up, as you share your inner turmoil. Over time, the pain will lesson, and you will gain the energy, focus, and motivation that you have been missing. You do not have to walk this path alone. Reach out, and you will be met with a gentle voice full of compassion.

What makes grief so painful? Perhaps it's because we experience a double loss. The first is losing a loved one, the second is losing a part of our ourselves. This is why the familiar saying, "you gotta let go," can sometimes make things worse. Instead of letting go, I'm interested in how we can bring people closer: closer to what we hold dear, closer to what we cherished most… In doing so, we can begin to develop a new relationship with our departed loved one, and simultaneously offer comfort and healing to parts of ourselves.

Grief, loss, and bereavement, whether it is the passing of a loved one, the end of a career, or the falling-apart of a relationship are all similar: we are losing or have lost an important part of our lives. Understanding the emotions, feelings, and behaviours we have when we experience grief and bereavement is part of helping us accept what has occurred, why we feel the way that we are feeling, and what is next for us. In working with clients on grief, loss, and bereavement it is important to understand that the way we process these experiences is unique to each person, and the pillar of respect is paramount.

Grief is a normal process that each of us goes through when we have been separated from someone or something that we have felt connected to. There is no time limit to the experience. During this journey, you may find yourself grappling with a range of emotions, from anger and isolation to fear and many others. These emotions are all part of the normal process of grief, as we navigate our way through the loss. You can stay trapped in these feelings which will extend the time you grieve. Alternatively, you may consider new events from the perspective of how your loved one enjoyed or managed them in the past.