Grief and Loss Counselling in Richmond Hill, ON.

Grief and loss can feel overwhelming, disorienting, and deeply personal. Whether you are grieving the death of a loved one, the end of a relationship, a major life transition, or a loss of identity or future you imagined, the experience can affect every part of your emotional world. In therapy, I offer a gentle, supportive space to process your grief at your own pace without pressure to “move on” before you’re ready. Using a compassionate, Emotion-Focused approach, we make room for the sadness, anger, confusion, and love that often come with loss, while helping you find ways to carry your grief and reconnect with meaning, stability, and yourself over time.

There are many forms of loss we encounter in life - relationships, places, work, meaningful engagements, roles at work or at home, etc. The deeper any of these mean to us, the harder it can be to process the loss. I offer a place to sit with loss, to explore what's going on with it, to learn what's normal & what to expect in this type of journey. Grief has it's own schedule, it's important to honour this, and to grieve well.

As someone who has experienced loss and studied loss, I understand how unique and different everyone's experience with it is. Grief can be one of the most complex and complicated of human experiences and can occur with or without a tangible loss. Using a person centered and strengths based foundation, I will hold space with you and aid you in navigating these complex feelings at your own pace.

I have personally suffered a great loss in my life, as a result, I feel that I am uniquely qualified to work with clients who have also suffered similar tragedies. Textbook grief therapy is not enough. My experience has helped me formulate a deep understanding of the particular fears, sadness, and problems one faces while dealing with a profound loss.

In my practice you will find a safe place to talk about and work through pain, and the feelings of sadness, confusion, guilt, shame and anger that often accompany the experience of grief and loss. Moving through grief and loss is your personal journey that takes time and is experienced uniquely from your own perspective. I provide therapy, counselling and and support for people who have lost a loved one such as a family member, friend or colleague whether through death or the ending of a relationship, those who have lost an important pet or animal companion or people who have experienced a loss that includes a loss of a job or personal identity.

Many people have ideas about how grief should look or feel based on expectations from family, society, or the media. There are so many experiences and events that deserve be mourned, whether society recognizes them or not, and your feelings about the loss are valid. Your experience of grief is unique to you and there is no correct way to process your loss, which is why I work collaboratively with clients to explore meaning in the thoughts and feelings that emerge as you begin your healing journey. Book a free consultation to learn more about my approach and explore if we are a good fit.

If you are dealing with the loss of a loved one, whether it be from death, divorce, or other circumstances, you are on a very painful journey, one that takes some time to traverse and is not easy. It can be helpful to have someone like myself walk with you on that journey and honour your feelings of loss and sadness and, when you are ready, to help pick up the pieces and continue to live a productive and satisfying life. That does not mean you leave the past behind but that you find a way of integrating a new life with the old. Reaching out is a sign of courage and strength.

Grief and loss are significant life experiences that can be difficult to manage. I have heard from many that sometimes it seems like the extreme sadness will not leave them. I work with such clients to try and make space in their life to experience positive emotions along with the sadness. Grief is very individual and some clients desire help to "move past the grief", while others do not agree with this. I work to meet clients where they are, to optimize their day to day life experiences according to their own individual hopes. In addition, I help clients to find meaning in their experience of grief and loss, honour the life of their lost loved one, and manage the related difficult emotions.

Grief can feel overwhelming, whether you're coping with the loss of a loved one, a relationship, or a future you imagined. It can bring waves of sadness, guilt, anger, or numbness, often all at once. In therapy, we create space to process your grief without pressure or judgment. Together, we’ll explore what your loss means to you, make room for your emotions, and support your healing in a way that feels right for you. You don’t have to go through this alone.

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.

Processing loss is painful, confusing and often isolating. This is not something that is as simple as progressing through "stages" in order and typically involves emotions that we have been taught to avoid or suppress. Working with a therapist to unpack and go through grief and loss can offer some space and perspective that is not there when we talk with friends and family. Here you can have a non-judgmental space to take the time to work this out in the way that you need. This is not always easy, but we can navigate this together.