Grief and Loss Counselling in Nepean, ON.

The people who have touched our lives, family members, and special friends (pets) we love are important to us. When anything risks those we love, we also feel distressed. Our deep connection to them means we experience this incredible emptiness when they die. Though we know that death is normal, natural, and inevitable, this knowledge does not eliminate the emotional pain of our loss. Through my losses and the losses of others, I have learned that life is over, but it is never finished. If you are experiencing a recent loss of a family member, friend, or special friend, I am available to journey with you through this loss. Schedule a free 15-minute consultation to see if we are a good fit.

Helping clients go through the stages of grief and loss by validating their experience and educating them on what these stages consist of and strategies to help them cope with the variety of emotions that they will be processing through this difficult time. Also helping clients recognize that grief and loss are a part of any type of loss that we may encounter, whether it be the loss of a relationship, loss of a job, loss of a loved one, etc.

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.

You are hurting right now, and I understand that. Grief has a way of making even ordinary days feel heavy, and you do not have to carry it alone. I have lived through grief and loss many times myself, and in more than three decades of practice I have sat with many people in exactly this kind of pain. Let us talk about what you are feeling. I have been a psychologist since 1986, and I can help. I am based in Calgary and see clients across Alberta, Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick by secure video. Book a session now: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=14249112

Over the course of our lives, we experience various losses and we grieve in many different ways. It can be difficult to know how to begin working through grief and you do not have to be alone in this process. I believe that grieving is a journey and I welcome the opportunity to support you in your path to healing. Within therapy, we can explore some of the emotions you are experiencing, unpack expectations about what grieving looks like, discuss possibilities for connection with what’s most important within your life, and consider possible ways to honour the loss(es) you have experienced. Contact me or book a free consultation if you wish to learn more.

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.

When we loose someone, a job, or a situation turns out differently than we had hoped, it can leaved us at a standstill. Grief and loss have no linear pathway towards healing; unique to each person, the healing and grieving process can be enhanced when done alongside another who is able to hold space for the pain, the hurt and the anguish that results from loss.

Grief isn’t something to “get over”—it’s something we learn to carry, and my approach honours the pace and shape of your experience. I see grief as a natural response to losing someone or something that mattered, and I help you understand how your nervous system is trying to protect you through waves of emotion, numbness, or overwhelm. Together, we create space for your story without rushing, exploring what feels too heavy to hold alone and what may need grounding or gentle witnessing. Whether your loss is recent or long‑ago, clear or complicated, we move at a pace that feels safe, helping you stay connected to yourself while making room for meaning, memory, and a sense of steadiness again.

Grieving and Loss are life and living issues that are part of the normal challenges we face in our lifetime. The often irrational and overwhelming thoughts, feelings and behaviors associated with them can sometimes frighten and even paralyze us when they occur. In a supportive and empathic environment I help people demystify and understand these challenges and events so they can cope again.

Clients experiencing grief and loss can often benefit from a supportive therapeutic process. It can allow a space to explore feelings without having to take care of anyone else-it is just for them. Clients can also explore blocks or complications to grieving that might be contributing to their struggle, for instance older traumas, difficulty with feeling or expressing their emotions.

Whether through a death or a break up, loss and the grieving process is extremely difficult. I’m sure you’ve heard of the stages of grieving (denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance). But, they don’t always go in that order, and they often jump around in your time line. Your grieving process has no time limits, and every journey is unique. I will walk with you through that, at your pace. No matter which stage of grieving you’re in, reach out to schedule a free 15-minute consultation to see if we are a good fit.

Losing someone that you love can be totally life altering. It is a uniquely painful experience that brings so many emotions, and yet at times, can leave you feeling totally empty and numb on the inside. I understand that grief can be very messy and that it looks different for every person. My desire is to support you and help you journey through your loss in a way that fits for you. I will also seek to gently guide you through the necessary steps of grief in order for you to experience relief, peace and emotional well being. There's a quote, I'm not sure who said it but it applies well, "I will help you keep on living until you feel alive again!"

Grief and loss are complex emotions that at times can feel as though one is on an emotional rollercoaster. It can result in being angry, sad, resentful, relieved, and tired. An important aspect of grief is social support and self-care. Through counselling, it becomes about not getting rid of the emotion of grief and loss but rather living with them and accepting what life now looks like with friend.

Are you struggling with the weight of grief and loss? You don’t have to navigate this journey alone. I’m Simona Ilieva, a Registered Psychotherapist, specializing in grief and loss therapy. Whether you’re mourning the loss of a loved one or experiencing another profound life change, I’m here to help you process your emotions, find meaning, and begin the healing process. Together, we’ll work through the pain and guide you toward a place of peace and acceptance. Grief is deeply personal, but with the right support, healing is possible. Let’s take this step toward healing together. Book a free consultation today.

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.

I utilize the model adapted from John. W. James and Russell Friedman. It is an 8 stage model to assist with creating a loss history graph, choosing a loss you wish to focus on, and identifying significant emotional statements, forgiveness and amendments statements. This culminates into the creation of a letter to express in a meaningful way. Addressing acute grief bursts in the future is one of the final steps.

Grief can be deeply disorienting, changing how you see yourself and the world around you. My approach focuses on creating space for understanding and integrating your loss, rather than trying to “move on.” Together, we’ll make sense of the shifts that come with grief, explore what this loss means for you, and begin rebuilding a sense of stability, connection, and meaning as you move forward in your own way.

Grief is varies in the ways it shows up for different people, and the different reasons why it shows up. Together, we can explore both death and/or non-death losses (job loss, relationship loss, loss of access to things that are important etc.) My approach aims to help you explore the pain from the absence/loss and make meaning of what's left. I use an integrative approach that draws from narrative therapy, schema therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and acceptance and commitment therapy.

It's easy to feel stuck, feeling too little, feeling too much. We can work together through your grief, no matter how complex to find a way to move forward. I've seen loss, it's never easy, and there isn't a lot of room to talk through some of the darker sides of it with friends and family. So many of us don't want to be a burden or are ashamed of our own feelings.

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 is a heavy, deeply physical experience that can leave you feeling completely disoriented, weighed down, and unsure of your footing. In our sessions, we move far beyond just talking about your thoughts. Instead, I hold a warm, unhurried space for the actual physical ache of your loss. Whether you are mourning the passing of a loved one, navigating a major life transition, or processing the painful ending of a relationship, we will work entirely at your own pace. Together, we blend gentle Western therapies with Eastern mindfulness practices to honor what was lost, soothe the raw pain left in your body, and help you safely find your grounding and sense of belonging again.

Being alive means experiencing inevitable loss, which is normally followed by grief and recovery. The loss can be the loss of a person, image, ideal, or even a hope. However, the grief and recovery can sometimes be complicated. Every person follows a unique pattern of grief processing. The key for a healthy recovery lies in understanding this pattern in a supported environment. The therapy is about helping the client to get to this insight. Schedule a free 15-minute consultation to see if we are a good fit.

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.

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.

My approach to grief and loss is rooted in empathy and understanding. I provide a supportive space for you to process your feelings and navigate the complex journey of healing. If you're seeking support during this challenging time, I invite you to reach out and book a free consultation. Together, we'll honor your experiences and find ways to move forward. Schedule a free 15-minute consultation to see if we are a good fit.