Grief and Loss Counselling in Port Hope, ON.

Grief can be experienced through loss of a loved one from death, the ending of a relationship or even loss of a job. It is important to understand that grief isn't linear but we experience it in waves that ebb and flow and can feel, at times, exhausting and overwhelming. As a counsellor trained in art therapy and psychodrama techniques, I use these modalities to help you accept and experience your grief without letting it overwhelm your life.

Contemporary approaches to coping with grief and loss have shown that the path of acceptance and healing is not linear, but a winding road and unique process for every individual. Psychotherapy can help you along your path by providing an outlet for those challenging emotions and providing you with tools to help you cope. With personal experience, I will lend a hand in helping you to cope and integrate the challenges presented by the loss of a loved one or a significant relationship as you find your new normal. Those we lose remain in our hearts, and by remembering them with gratitude we can begin to heal.

I know this is a difficult time for you. Everyone reacts differently about losing someone significant in their life. It can be hard when other people do not understand why you feel or react as you do. I honor your courage in reaching out for support and would like to assist by offering a compassionate ear. It may be that your grief is complicated by a traumatic loss. I want you to know that you are not alone and that I have supported many others through this difficult and painful time.

Your experiences of grief and loss are unique. Therapy can provide a safe space to learn about grief and what to expect during this process. It may be helpful to explore some of the emotions you are experiencing, while understanding how to stay connected to others and develop a new relationship to and understanding of the loss you have endured. Book a free consultation to explore if we are a good fit.

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.

I believe that grief has no timeline. It is an incredibly painful and complex human experience, that is unfortunately universal, yet a completely individual and unique for everyone. I will work with you exactly where you are at to hold space for your complicated feelings. I find that rituals are often helpful to create connection with loved ones who have passed on or to mourn relationships that have ended. Grief and loss impact couples and families immensely. Often the way one person grieves can be experienced like an insult to another's grieving process. This can create conflict and feelings of betrayal, anger or abandonment. I can help you sort through all of these complexities.

This can be an extremely overwhelming time in your life. I will assist you with the grieving process through active listening, support, education where appropriate, and building acceptance Forms of grief and loss include: loss of a spouse, child, parent, friend, co-worker, physical injury, job loss, fertility issues, loss of identity, moving, separation, divorce, and aging.

Grief and loss can be overwhelming for people. Having someone to share their story with can help make the journey a little easier. Therapy can help lower feelings of isolation for clients. I help clients come to understand that grief doesn't just go away once the funeral is over, or the situation is over ( such as separation of spouses). Grief takes time. I provide a listening ear, compassion, and respect for how each person grieves. Art making can often be very helpful for clients moving through grief. It can provide them with an outlet for their emotions, and a way to express feelings that are sometimes hard to put into words.

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.

When we lose someone we love, our relationship with them doesn’t need to end. Your loved one is still very much a part of life. Grief counselling can give you a safe place to talk about your loved one, any regrets you are holding on to and resolve any guilt you may be feeling. Grief counseling can help you with “stuck points” and help you oscillate between sorrow and function.

Grief & Loss is difficult to manage, and looks different for different people. What we do know, is processing our grief and loss is important in order to move forward and heal from our losses. We will move through your grief and loss in a client centered approach and at your pace. Our sessions are designed with your needs implementing a variety of modalities (CBT, ACT, trauma informed, art therapy, or play therapy). We may also used education to help with processing as we remember and find hope in our future. Look forward to walk with you through this life journey.