Grief and Loss Counselling in Ottawa, ON.

Loving a loved-one may have a profound and debilitating effect on us. When working with those struggling with grief and loss, I have found that EMDR therapy is particularly beneficial. I work with clients to identify the particular aspects of the loss that is the most vivid, the negative self-beliefs held about the loss, and the attachment to the negative feelings. We then, collaboratively, work together to question the truth of these negative self-beliefs and dissolve the emotional pain surrounded by the loss. At the end of grief and loss therapy, clients have the potential of restoring the wonderful memories of their loved-ones, free from the pain of their departure.

Feelings of grief and loss are as unique as those experiencing them. Counselling support is similarly tailored to meet the unique needs and goals of the client. One may experience feelings of grief following the loss of a loved one, the loss of a relationship, the loss of a dream, or the loss of a career; while these situations can feel overwhelming, one does not have to move through this alone.

Grief and loss can throw one into a tail spin. There are five basic stages to grief: denial, anger, bargaining, sadness/depression, acceptance. Once the stage of acceptance for the loss is reached readjustment to the new situation occurs. This does not mean one will stay in this acceptance stage, such that an individual can re-experience anger or sadness 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.

I can support you as you journey through the waves/ fog of grief and loss, including through divorce, health issues or life transitions. I will help you: to have hope and confidence that you can resolve these issues; and to make choices that will lead you to your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being. I offer relaxation exercises and cognitive therapy. I am trained in EMDR which greatly helps overcome anxiety, stress and trauma. I offer EFT which also positively shifts our thinking and modifies our anxiety response. I serve adults, & young adults 16 and over and seniors. This is your opportunity. I am here to help you.

Clients who have lost a loved one will be given the opportunity to pass through the stages of grief in a healthy way. While being supported in Psychotherapy Clients will have the chance to work through any difficult emotions they may be struggling with in relation to their loved ones death. Client will learn to honor the person they've lost while finding a way to accept that loss and continue to live a fulfilling life.

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.

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.

Have you lost a partner, someone important in your life or ended an important relationship. While loss can be painful, you should not feel an endless sense of despair. Grief and loss of a loved one is a journey that can be overwhelming. Allow yourself time to grieve but ensure that you are taking care of yourself. Counselling may be a way to care for yourself as you adjust to this new reality. Together we can help you adapt to these losses and help you to move forward while honouring your loss.

The death of a loved one, or any other great loss, is possibly the most stressful event anyone experiences. Grief is the normal, healthy response to this loss. It is important to allow yourself the time and space to fully grieve the loss. There is no “right” or “wrong” way to grieve – it is a very personal healing process of adjusting and coming to terms with the loss. In therapy, I accompany you on this painful journey and help you to understand and make sense of the overwhelming emotions that affect your mind, body and spirit. I offer support as we create a special place in your heart and mind for your memories.

Grief and Loss is a challenging area for many people because it is so unique to each person. I believe that the work centers around self-compassion where individuals learn to be kinder to themselves. Furthermore, I will collaborate with you to build an Activity Plan to ensure you continue to find purpose in your daily life. I will also teach you strategies that will help you improve your ability to focus on the present moment. Together we will find the best support plan to allow you to grieve while continuing to live a meaningful life!

Clients who are faced with grief and loss go through a number of stages in the grieving process. Counselling at Elim help clients go through these stages in a normal and healthy way without spiralling into complicated grief or chronic depression. In addition counsellors at Elim are trained in understanding the spiritual crisis that people of faith often go through when dealing with grief and loss.

Grief and loss is hard, it is difficult and we all experience it in many phases of our life span. There is no right or wrong in grieving or any length of time however, there is life and hope after! It is learning to accept the grief, feel it and then move on with either with professional help or your own path to moving forward with your life.

Grief and loss are frequently a root cause of substance abuse, addiction and disorders. The grief process tends to deplete a person's resources, taking up a great deal of their physical, mental, and emotional energy. The absence is not the only thing they are mourning. Their plans, dreams and wishes have changed, and they are being required to let go of the future they anticipated. The phases of mourning include a desire to reverse the loss, feelings of pain and chaos, and the reordering of one's life. At Valiant Recovery, clients receive personalized grief counseling tailored to their needs, as well as specialized sessions on grief and loss.

Rather than drive our grief and loss underground or deep into our unconscious, therapy allows us to focus on the pain of our loss with all its multiple layers. Processing our thoughts with the spoken word rather than keeping them as mere mental reflections permits us to actively embrace our pain. We experience clarity and eventually direction to our grieving process. We can in time come to a place of sorrowful acceptance. Elizabeth Kubler-Ross gives us understanding of the grief and loss process in her Five Stages of Grief. However, it is important to note that these stages are not linear in their progression and are somewhat unique to each individual.

The pain of grief can truly be lessened by working with a counsellor. Talking about the loss and how it has affected you will help you feel the emotions, which helps them to pass through you. It is also helpful to have a professional inform you on what to expect when grieving, what types of symptoms are related to the grief, and specific approaches to comfort yourself.

I work extensively with clients dealing with grief and loss. Co-existing with loss in our lives can feel like an overwhelmingly difficult task. Losses can profoundly affect not only our daily functioning, but also our relationships, our work life, and our health. Therapeutic work with clients focuses on acknowledging the impact of loss, exploring choices around how to live through the experience of loss, developing healthy ways to cope, and honoring that journey. I work creatively with clients to help them find their own personal ways of living that process.

Finding our way through a painful loss and the associated grief can be a most difficult and excruciating journey for any of us to encounter. However, it is with the intention of gently guiding clients back on the road to recovery. Through gaining insight and courageously tackling the loss both willingly and openly has proven beneficial. Ultimately allowing themselves to profoundly heal.

Grief can be a clinical issue as: 1) Immediate and profound loss-death of a loved one – including either a sudden and unexpected or drawn-out and exhausting loss or 2) Unresolved grief – often unacknowledged as well - to whatever degree- of losses as described in (1) or can reflect more nuanced emotional losses – loss of safety, hope, joy, etc. Human life is full of loss and in the face of this undeniable fact, the challenge for the therapist lies in assisting and challenging the grieving client, to find, from within themselves, meaning, as related to such a profound and overwhelming loss.

Grieving is a necessary part of recovering from deep loss and making the transition to the next phase of life. However, for some people the loss is so overwhelming that the natural process gets stuck and they are unable to move through it. In these cases compassionate support can help you regain a sense of peace an wholeness. I use real, proven therapeutic tools that can help your heart to heal.

Losing someone you love can be the most painful experience. While grieving, you may experience all kinds of emotions, from anger to sadness. The lost of your love one may seem like your world just fell apart and you cannot imagine having a normal life again; remind yourself that this is all about grieving. Grieving is a process and can be very different from one person to another. But for sure, it takes some time and patience. An important thing that can help you go through the pain, is to have support and an ear to listen. I will provide a safe place to let your heart speak and I will help you identify ways that will help to smoothen your pain.

Experiencing grief and loss is part of the human condition. The loss of a loved one, or a pet, or a painful life event are all some of the most difficult things we will go through. I have worked as a therapist and counsellor for close to 30 years, and not everyone goes through the 'five stages of grief' in the same way - or in the same order. You will find your own way through grief and loss, with empathetic guidance and therapy from me, as you learn to release the pain.

Losses are a part of life, whether of a loved one or a lost job or missed opportunity, and yet can be very difficult to navigate through and find our way back to ourselves and our “new normal.” Having a compassionate and skilled professional to journey with you can be very helpful in processing losses, remembering loved ones or lost dreams, and understanding the meanings this loss holds for you. I am experienced with supporting individuals and families in a caring manner as they determine how to journey through grieving in a way that meets each one's unique needs and experiences, including possible spiritual concerns. Please see my profile in the Ottawa Bereavement Directory. Serving Ottawa

I have worked extensively with the medically ill including Cancer patients. To adjust to a chronic illness is to grieve the loss of the healthy self and all that entails; to grieve the loss of a relationship; our work; anything of importance to us is to face pain of loss and move through it's tasks. I work in various models including relational, experiential, psycho-dynamic, Ego-State and Attachment based models to provide a safe, empathic environment in which my clients can resolve their losses.

The Grief and Loss Service (GLS) at the Centre for Interpersonal Relationships (CFIR) offers clients counselling and psychotherapy to support them to address past and present grief and loss. Unprocessed grief and loss can affect our emotional well-being, our functioning in everyday life and our interpersonal relationships. We help you to understand the meanings of your losses, and to process the unresolved or complicated emotional residue from these losses. We support you throughout your grieving process so that you may move forward with your life with a renewed sense of meaning, purpose and hope. CFIR psychologists and clinicians employ psychodynamic and experiential approaches to support