Grief and Loss Counselling in Oshawa, ON.

Drawing upon the work of Elizabeth Kubler-Ross ("On Death & Dying" and "On Grief and Grieving"), I support people in their grieving journey, assessing the challenges and also the strengths each person has to most effectively adjust to loss and develop effective coping strategies. Ultimately, finding ways to carry this loss and grief in the most graceful way possible is the goal to be attained. Courage and faith along with a growing spiritual understanding and openness contribute greatly to the success of this work.

Grief comes with many emotions whether it be sadness, relief, anger, anxiety, etc. During therapy, we will discuss ways to accept and cope with these feelings so they are not so overwhelming in your day-to-day living. We will also explore what the value of the loss is to you, and discuss ways of honoring this so you can move forward with an accepting and fulfilling life.

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.

Grief is a potential reaction to a loss of any kind whether through death, divorce, abandonment, separation, job loss, illness, disease diagnosis, kids leaving home, etc. Feelings of anger, resentment, shame, confusion, isolation or abandonment can result. Friends and family may not know what to say or how to provide support. A trained professional, who is profoundly sympathetic, respectful and empathetic, with the skills required to help one navigate through this difficult time, can be critical in helping one regain equilibrium.

Are you using alcohol, substances, or addictive behaviors to cope with grief and loss? Although they provide relief in the short term, their long-term effects on your relationships and health can make it even more difficult to cope. Through a compassionate non-judgmental approach, I help clients explore their relationship to grief and loss so that they can overcome addictive coping strategies. If you're looking for another way forward, feel free to reach out and we can set up a free consultation to discuss further.

When life falls apart, the pillars you hold onto are no longer there. There is a groundlessness to it. Therapy can help you move through the depth of feelings and thoughts that may feel too uncomfortable to share with friends. Acknowledging the pain and loss and finding ways to rebuild slowly and gently are the ways therapy can help in these painful and human life experiences. Therapy helps you move through the almost surreal pain of loss and grief. Together, you work on grieving the loss, learning how to find pleasure in life again without guilt and moving through the experience without suppressing how you feel and move forward in supported and healthy ways.

Grief can occur in many ways. Fundamentally it is a loss of something or someone important to our lives. The loss leaves a void behind. Moving through grief and healing from it is a process that occurs over time. Sometimes it helps to go through this with someone beside you. If you feel the need for a companion on this journey who may have some ideas that could help your grief process, please reach out.

I open up space for clients accept and share their grief, since many people don't feel comfortable doing so, especially with others. I help clients to work toward resolving unresolved grief and express their unexpressed grief. I help clients to honour & give space to their grief. In today's rushed world, people often don't take adequate time to honour their grief & sense of loss. I help clients to try and honour what their lost loved one would have wanted for them, or, sometimes to take back their life back from a lost loved one who didn't value or validate them. I work to prepare clients for grief to be lifelong, though that doesn't mean that it will always have the same intensity.

Everyone experiences grief and loss differently. And everyone, at some point or another experiences the loss of an important person, animal, place or thing in their life. If you have come to a decision where you feel you are ready to express the feelings and thoughts that you have been going through, I am here to listen. My goal is to guide you through your unique process so that the pain is no longer unbearable. I wish to help you understand your relationship to the person, animal, job, etc. that you lost and work through any feelings that may be inhibiting your overall health and well-being.

Losing someone close to us can be among the most painful of life experiences. An example of one of my approaches to working with grieving clients involves learning how to live with the pain and loss along with finding ways to honor the life and memory of the bereaved. However, grief is a largely personal process, with many different types of loss that each require their own unique approach and attentiveness depending on what feels best for clients during this most vulnerable time. Contact me to book a free consultation.