Grief and Loss Counselling in Kingston, ON.

My training with the complex facets of bereavement counselling is from McGill's School of Social Work. There, I learned the importance of validating a person's feelings and varying reactions in a non-judgemental way. My focus is to provide a caring, empathic response to encourage emotional healing. My theoretical framework is largely based on the work of Therese A. Rando's 6 stages: 1- Recognize loss, 2- React to loss, 3-Recollect and Re-Experience the lost relationship, 4-Relinquish and start a process of accomodation to the loss (not necessarily of accepting it) by working on 5- Readjust and 6- Reinvesting in life. I also use the Grief Recovery Handbook by James & Friedman.

Everyone experiences loss. This could be a loss of a family member, spouse, friend, or even a beloved pet. With such a loss, a rollercoaster of emotions and changes can occur for weeks, months, or even years. My role as a counsellor is to listen and provide space to process the loss. As counselling moves forward then we can process difficult thoughts and feelings about the loss (e.g., survivor's guilt, previous abuse, and/or changes), and support with realignment with what is important. This may allow you to RE-participate in life again, accept this new chapter, and move forward the way you see feel is best. I would be honoured if you reached out to support you through this journey.

There are many forms and causes of grief and loss: death, miscarriage, loss of employment, loss of a dream or goal. Every loss is validated . We explore how you think about the loss, what you do to feel better. I can help you process loss and begin the grieving process. There are a myriad of emotions one can feel while grieving (pain, sadness, anger, guilt, frustration, relief). There is no right way to mourn a loss.

We all grieve differently; there is no right or wrong way to grieve. It is a uniquely personal experience. My therapeutic approach is to meet my clients where they are and address their current needs. That may be sitting in a safe space and expressing your emotions, talking about how life will be different after the loss or focusing on self-care. I will provide guidance, validation, and support but this journey is yours so I will check in with you regularly to ensure that your needs are being met. Please contact me if you would like to book a free consultation.

Being alive means experiencing inevitable loss, which is normally followed by grief and recovery. The loss can be the loss of a person, image, ideal, or even a hope. However, the grief and recovery can sometimes be complicated. Every person follows a unique pattern of grief processing. The key for a healthy recovery lies in understanding this pattern in a supported environment. The therapy is about helping the client to get to this insight. Schedule a free 15-minute consultation to see if we are a good fit.

The experience of loss may result from many life experiences including the passing of a human loved one or a beloved pet, the ending of a relationship, job loss, or changes to our physical or mental capabilities. Grief is one of the most challenging of human emotions. Together, we will navigate your unique grieving process to enable you to experience growth and empower you to create a life you can accept and enjoy despite your loss.

Grief and loss are parts of life, and yet, everyone grieves in their own way. Grief can be complicated by other conditions, most notably depression. The person’s level of dependency on the departed can also cause complications. The grieving process often involves many difficult and complicated emotions. Yet joy, contentment, and humour do not have to be a lost memory. I work with you to help you recover from grief and loss and find your way back to feeling joyful again.

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.

Loosing some one to death, the loss of relationships, or being separated from people, places or things that are important to you are all things that people experience grief over. I use a compassionate and narrative approach to addressing these issues. Clients can expect to examine the stories they have been told or are telling themselves about these experiences and be encourage to re-author those stories so that they support a preferred way of living and healing from these experiences.

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.

Grief and loss are inevitable and an inescapable part of life. Grief can of course include the loss of someone to death, but it can also be ambiguous. Ambiguous loss can include the loss of relationships, family connections, our identities, our careers, or even who we were pre-pandemic? Grief around post-traumatic events or grieving the loss of a childhood you never had are also types of losses and grief that I can help you with.

Grief is like a gut-punch that seems to never subside. With a compassionate approach and gentle style, I help individuals navigate the complexities of grief, providing tools to cope with the pain of loss while honoring their unique experiences. Through empathetic listening and tailored therapeutic techniques, clients will learn to understand their grief, develop healthy coping strategies, and find a renewed sense of hope and meaning in life.

Anytime we lose someone significant we experience grief and loss. But what about when something in our life changes? What about when our hopes or dreams get shattered? This too is loss and it too causes grief. If either of these experiences get in the way of your daily life functioning, then it might be time to talk someone. Let's connect and help you navigate these deep emotions.