Grief and Loss Counselling in Madoc, ON.

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.

Grief and loss affect everyone but you are not alone. We are experienced therapists who want to help during this challenging time. In addition to traditional talk therapy, art therapy is lets clients use creativity to find purpose and meaning after a significant loss. We will work with you to determine what you want therapy to look like. Get in touch to find out more.

Life can be difficult. Working through grief and loss can also be very challenging. It is very commom to get “stuck” in this very painful process. Grief and loss can take on many forms whether it be through death, separation, divorce or other forms of loss. My approach is direct and “hands on”. Through a variety of exercises, reflections and strategies, I help the client through his/her own cycle of grief and loss. This process allows the client to explore “deep rooted” feelings. Through Cognitive Behavior Therapy exercises, the client regains some confidence and skill in being able to cope with their day to day life situations and ongoing life challenges.

Grief and Loss are different for everyone. We respect that people go through this process at their own speed and in their own way. We help them explore and grieve using a combination of modalities such as narative therapy and emotion focused therapy. Loss can be that of a family member, friend, pet, or it can also be a historical loss such as lost childhood that the client is now ready to deal with.

Grief can be debilitating. It is one of those things that leaves us feeling out of control. Out of touch with ourselves and others, and even paralyzed. These feelings that we experience because of grief often push us to AVOID our grief. This is problematic in itself, however, as it only generates further emotional distress over time. Instead, finding comfortable and trustworthy support through the grieving process is a productive and healthy way to not only process the pain, but slowly find comfort and new ways of being and accepting.

Grief is the emotional suffering we feel when we lose something or someone important to us. This can include the loss of friend, partner, or family member, a change in life circumstances, death of a pet, getting fired, loss of health, safety, a dream... anything that we once had and now do not. The intensity and process can be unique for each person, but like all other emotions that impact the quality of our life, ignoring it or suppressing it does not work. Seeking support as we move through the various stages of grief is very helpful. Planning for our healing is crucial so that we do not become 'stuck' in the pain. A skilled therapist can assist us during this vulnerable time.

Grief is an intensely personal experience, and it is never the same for any two people; even two people grieving the same loss. Some abide by the commonly known Stages of Grief, while those stages are recognizable, I believe the process is not linear, and any stage can be experienced at any time. Completely accepting people wherever they are in the grieving process prevents the expectation of a grieving in a certain order. My approach is to show compassion, emphasize self-care, and to provide a safe place and plenty of opportunity for self-expression. The creation of memory/legacy pieces in the form of songs, poems, and/or visual arts is an option when appropriate.

If you are dealing with grief and loss, I am here to support you. Whether you are struggling with overwhelming feelings or you do not know what to feel, the therapeutic space I am offering is one of validation, compassion, and curiosity. We will work together to process your experience in a way that is meaningful to you, changing our approach as your grief changes. Processing grief is rarely easy, but I will be with you every step of the way to witness and support your experience.

Grief is a highly individual process and is often experienced differently by different people. You may be seeking counselling as you are struggling with a recent loss or because your sense of grief has become overwhelming to you. Grief involves adaption to the loss and this takes time and compassion and self compassion. Whether loss is gradual, sudden, anticipated, imposed, death or non death related, psychotherapy provides the opportunity to explore ones emotional, cognitive or physical reactions to loss and gain perspective and/or meaning.

Grief, another powerful emotion we experience when dealing with loss, is a conditioning that affects all human beings. In our society there is often a notion that we should hurry up and get over our grief but maybe we should grieve as long as we need to. One way to see loss is to see loss as change and then to let change in. By developing a practice of loving kindness towards ourselves and others we can take a gentler approach toward loss and pain.

The normal grieving process takes time. If you feel that you are having difficulty moving forward, or if you feel stuck, reach out. I can help you process your loss in a way that allows for you to grieve without greatly impacting your own health. Together we will process and find a safe space for your experience. Your loss will never be forgotten, but you can heal from the pain that stops you from living your life.

After a loss, you look at life through a different lens; what came before and what came after. The mourning process is not linear and it's not all logical; it's a deep felt sense of something missing. Being able to talk about and process our grief with an other in therapy helps us not feel so alone in it. We are offered a place to talk about the person (or pet) in a way that keeps their memory alive.

I offer a gentle and compassionate space for individuals navigating grief and loss. Whether you are mourning the death of a loved one, the end of a significant relationship, or any other profound loss, I support you in processing your emotions at your own pace. Using a mindful and integrative approach that includes Inner Child work and relational therapy, I help clients honour their grief while gradually finding renewed meaning, strength, and hope for the future.