Grief and Loss Counselling in Lakeshore, ON.

If you are dealing with grief and loss, there is help available to assist you in navigating this storm. Learn how to move forward through acceptance, understanding the pain and emotions, filling the gaps left behind in healthy ways, and finding a healthy balance between cherishing the memories and moving forward with life.

Grief, loss, and bereavement, whether it is the passing of a loved one, the end of a career, or the falling-apart of a relationship are all similar: we are losing or have lost an important part of our lives. Understanding the emotions, feelings, and behaviours we have when we experience grief and bereavement is part of helping us accept what has occurred, why we feel the way that we are feeling, and what is next for us. In working with clients on grief, loss, and bereavement it is important to understand that the way we process these experiences is unique to each person, and the pillar of respect is paramount.

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.

Any loss can cause a person to feel grief; whether it is the loss of a job, a relationship, the death of a loved one, or the loss of a cherished dream etc. I find that my clients find it helpful to use Narrative techniques, such as writing personnel journals. However, the use of Somatic Experiencing which is a form of therapy aimed at relieving and resolving the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental and physical trauma-related health problems. Regardless, a person needs to re-connect and make sense to painful emotions and past events in order to effectively deal with a loss or a post traumatic event, such as a motor vehicle accident, rape, sexual attack, childhood trau....

Unfortunately we all will encounter grief and loss at times during our lives. There is no set time frame for working through the waves of emotions. However, sometimes we may feel stuck in our grieving process and it is comforting to find support along this journey. I use various techniques dependent on a collaborative treatment design. Therapeutic modalities include Narrative Therapy, Expressive Art Therapy and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing).

Assisting people through the natural process of grief after a significant loss has been an important part of the work I do for over 15 years. Loss comes in many forms: death of a loved one, sickness and health challenges resulting in a deeply experienced loss of self, loss of relationships through divorce, familial conflict, retirement and even through loss of employment. Each of us will experience loss in our lives and each of us needs to know that we do not have to go through it alone. Therapy can help support you through this difficult time.

As loss may be best described as the absence of something valuable, grief is the reaction to this absence. It permeates every area of our lives. The way we experience grief is personal and changes as we adapt to the loss. Feelings of guilt, disbelief, anger, yearning, and sorrow are often present. Going through the stages of grief is difficult. Together, we will explore the healing journey ensuring you are self-companionate while honouring the one’s you have lost and to explore and understand your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours that are integrated into your bereavement process. Schedule a free consultation to see if we are a good fit.

Grief and loss are weaved into our lives in an intimate way. Grief is natural, normal, unique and universal. Grief touches us all at one point or another and is an inevitable part of being human. The experience of grief may be associated with a range of emotions, thoughts and behaviours. It’s important to remember that the journey of grief is not linear and there is no right way to feel. Therapy is a safe space where you can explore your grief. We will move at a pace that feels comfortable to you and I will check in to ensure that you feel safe and supported. Please contact me to schedule a free 15-minute consultation to see if we are a good fit.

I, like many of us, am no stranger to the feelings of grief and loss and I am aware of how deeply unique and personal these experiences can be. The way that I imagine being part of your journey through these moments is by holding your hand and walking through this unknown path together, while discovering new aspects and meanings of the self along the way. I will check in with you to ensure that we are walking this path on a pace that is most suitable for you, for there is no need to rush during this time. Contact me to schedule a free consultation to ensure we are a good fit.

Coping with grief is an inevitable and challenging aspect of life. At Atlas Therapy, our commitment is to assist you in navigating this journey, offering support and empathy as you confront various types of loss. We strive to aid clients in comprehending the grieving process, devising personalized coping strategies, addressing feelings of guilt or anger, fostering social connections, building resilience, and engaging in cognitive restructuring. The skilled therapists at Atlas recognize that grief elicits a spectrum of intense emotions, and we provide a secure, non-judgmental space for you to express and process these feelings. Take the first step towards healing by reaching out today.