Grief and Loss Counselling in Whitby, ON.

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.

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.

Moving forward in life without someone, who you thought would always be by your side, is devastating to say the least. And sometimes even harder to talk about. But you're not alone. We all need support, especially in times of high stress. Everyone reacts differently to grief and loss. My goal is to provide a safe online space for you to take charge of your healing, in however that might look for you.

Grief is a natural process that feels completely unnatural and so unwanted. We often have thoughts or expectations around grief, mostly that we want it to go away. Therapy can help us process the different stages of grief, and move towards a space of acceptance and peace with our loss. The process of grief is not linear, and coming to terms and understanding our unique ways of grieving can be a path towards healing.

Whether through a death or a break up, loss and the grieving process is extremely difficult. I’m sure you’ve heard of the stages of grieving (denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance). But, they don’t always go in that order, and they often jump around in your time line. Your grieving process has no time limits, and every journey is unique. I will walk with you through that, at your pace. No matter which stage of grieving you’re in, reach out to schedule a free 15-minute consultation to see if we are a good fit.

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.

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

When a person has experienced the loss of someone or something significant, it is not uncommon for them to experience overwhelming feelings of sadness, a sense of confusion or "being at a loss", as well as difficulty experiencing happiness and joy. At New Roots Therapy, we acknowledge that these feelings - as well as many others - may emerge for you as you move through your own experience of grief and loss. We believe that, in working with grief and loss, it is not just about "moving past" or "letting go". Rather, our hope is to honour the uniqueness of your experience and to help you connect your feelings of grief to the importance of the lost relationship on your life.

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.

Navigate the journey of grief and loss with supportive, compassionate guidance through each stage. Grief therapy combined with an Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) approach offers clients a safe space to process complex emotions, find meaning, and rebuild connections. EFT helps clients access and understand their deepest feelings, leading to profound healing and resilience. Embrace a therapeutic path that respects your unique experience, empowering you to honor your loss while gradually rediscovering hope and balance.