Grief and Loss Counselling in Riel, MB.

Death is something that seems far from us. However, sometimes, it could happen so suddenly and so close to us. To help my clients process their grief and loss, I encourage them to talk about how it felt and looked like in their relationship and talk about their rememberable stories. At the same time, it could be a chance for my client to reflect on the meaning of life and death and what they believe about “after death” spiritually. Empty chair, secret letter, and personal ceremony are the interventions I may use in grief and loss therapy.

While grief and transition are a natural part of life, we are still often overwhelmed by sadness, anger and all the confusing emotions that come with loss. There is no right or wrong way to grieve—just your body and mind doing what it can to process the pain of major life change and the loss of how things were. Working with me means compassionate care that helps you to approach and feel your feelings in a safe way, taking things one step at a time. I promise you that all grief can be transformed into a gentle honouring of who or what was lost. I would be happy to team up with you in your journey towards peace and acceptance.

Life can be very unfair at times. We all have losses that occur at various times. They may really throw us. Our perspectives and coping can be really stretched. My belief is that an unbiased professional can help give that perspective. I can help walk alongside when the pain is so deep. I can help educate and help clients walk through the stages of grief, normalizing feelings and helping them cope. I believe that each person grieves differently. Some seem to get on with life quickly, while others seem to struggle longer. Both are "right." I can help make the transition slightly less painful and possibly a bit less lengthy.

We all experience loss in many areas of our lives. The loss of loved ones, loss of pets, transitions in our lives, health related issues, and changes beyond our control. It is challenging to navigate these losses and resulting grief on our own. Losing someone or something you love or care deeply about is very painful. You may experience all kinds of difficult emotions and it may feel like the pain and sadness you're experiencing will never leave. These are normal reactions to a significant loss. As a counselor therapist I will join you in your journey as you endeavour to bring balance and equilibrium back to your life.

Losing someone in your life can be acutely painful regardless of whether you had a positive or a complicated relationship with the person. While grief is not limited to losing a person, losing a loved-one is often particularly complicated because it can leave you with feelings of guilt and confusion, especially if the relationship was complicated. You might feel a mix of guilt and relief, making it hard to even talk about the loss and grief. I often use EMDR alongside talk therapy to help my clients process grief and loss, including complex grief from childhood attachment wounds and traumas. EMDR can be so helpful because it helps process the grief at the body level.

Grief & Loss therapy helps individuals and families cope with death and/or areas of major life transitions (such as divorce, children leaving the home, career loss, etc.). Individuals experience the emotions, feelings, and thoughts of grief and loss differently. Working together in a safe, supportive, caring environment, clients share their stories. Together, we think creatively about the challenges of coping with loss & grief. We explore feelings of being disorganized, tired, confused, poor sleep, loss, hurt, anger, and/or sadness. The process involves helping clients move through the grief using healthy, positive coping strategies.

After significant loss, you may experience difficult and surprising emotions, such as anger, shock and guilt. It may feel like the sadness will never go away. I know personally what this feels like and I support many people who are trying to find ways to cope and find their reason to continue. There is no right or wrong way to grieve. There are however many healthy ways to cope with the pain. You can get through it! I can help you.

When we are facing grief and loss, there is often a complex web of emotions and many layers of meaning-making to encounter in our healing process. The path is never linear. The timeline requires sensitivity and nuance. Compassion, patience and the ability to hold seemingly contradictory feelings are paramount. With gentle presence, we can hold the magnitude and the subtleties of this experience moving step by step towards healing.

We experience loss throughout our lifetime in various ways. When we mourn we allow ourselves to heal. In group settings and individual sessions I have helped those who need to process their loss to experience comfort and lasting peace. If you are struggling with loss you can journey through it confident that you will not be alone in it and that you will have someone caring for you throughout it.

So many of the losses we experience come suddenly; our life changes in an instant from what it used to be. All of us experience this at times; sometimes in waves and torrents it seems will sink us. We have all either had, or will have, our sufferings. I endeavor to help by finding resiliency, coming to terms with what is, and discovering renewed purpose beyond the depth of real loss.

Dr. Russell can walk beside you on the journey back to wholeness after a loss. He understands the road of healing and wholeness. His approach is a gentle guide to bring back the peace, orientation and wholeness of life. Often Dr. Russell helps people experience that loss is a doorway to greater life, freedom and appreciation for the gift of each day.

A divorce or death of a loved one is a crisis that changes and challenges the meaning of your life and sense of self. This can result in deep sadness, confusion, disorientation and disbelief. Therapy offers you the opportunity to move through your grief more quickly. You can experience a sense of peace and hope for the future. You can learn to cherish and find comfort in his/her memory. Therapy can help you redefine your place in the world and learn to be without him/her.

No two people's grief is the same. Everyone deserves the respect to journey through the valley of grief in a way that is suiting to their needs. Family, friends and neighbors often do well at soothing and comforting the one stricken by grief, but sometimes they are not enough or they seem awkward or even make blunders. It's not unusual to need professional help. We offer a calming presence, guidance through the tasks involved in living with loss and sadness, and the hopeful discovery of meaning and purpose in your life.