Grief and Loss Counselling in French River, ON.

Bettina Kealy, B.A., M.A., R.P. provides counselling and psychotherapy services to individuals suffering from various life losses. Many individuals struggle with feelings of depression, anxiety and guilt when faced with the loss of a loved one and other life losses including separation and divorce, loss due to disability and other life difficulties. Existential, mindfulness and cognitive-behavioural strategies are used in treatment to address the emotional impact of the specific loss and assist the person in accepting the loss and rebuilding their life.

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.

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.

During the grieving process, people often face various challenges, whether they're intense emotions, physical symptoms, or self-care/self-compassion. We provide a safe space for individuals to process their emotions, navigate through the stages of grief, and to help them find healthy coping mechanisms. Therapy can help individuals find support, gain insight, and develop resilience during these difficult times.

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.

What makes grief so painful? Perhaps it's because we experience a double loss. The first is losing a loved one, the second is losing a part of our ourselves. This is why the familiar saying, "you gotta let go," can sometimes make things worse. Instead of letting go, I'm interested in how we can bring people closer: closer to what we hold dear, closer to what we cherished most… In doing so, we can begin to develop a new relationship with our departed loved one, and simultaneously offer comfort and healing to parts of ourselves.