Grief and Loss Counselling in Ottawa, ON.

Often we need a safe place to grieve our losses, whether they be related to loss of life, marriage, health, life plan - without over-burdening friends and family. As well as talk therapy, I use other ways, such as empty chair, letter writing, EMDR and sand tray therapy, depending on each client's situation. This frees up energy, reduces distress, provides a sense of completion or letting go, as well as a readiness to move on.

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 and Attachment based models to provide a safe, empathic environment for my clients to grow in.

Clients benefit from the approach I use in addressing Grief and Loss because it addresses the root cause of making it a complicated feeling of loss. There is a lot of validations and support of the painful feelings the bereaved is going through. And, the approach does not stop there. I go further by bringing into the clients' awareness why he/she is feeling the way he/she is and teach the client how to go through the normal painful feelings without going into complilcated grief or depression.

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.

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.

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.

Many of my clients have a very difficult time assimilating a deep loss in their lives especially when they have lost a dearly beloved family member. At the time of their loss they require immense support and a "listening" ear". They often fear that they will never recover. What I offer them is some hope for their future and I suggest some techniques to them of how to "take the long view." I also assist them in finding relevant resources in their local community that can support them through the following months and years. I remind them that the last thing that their departed loved one would want is for them to lose their motivation and zest. I empower them to go on fully living.

Losing a loved one creates a feeling of abandonment and of life being unfair. Grieving is painful and you have to grieve at your own pace. Unfortunately life is not always that permissive. Having a safe space to grieve and be listened to is important. Through the grieving process, in the safe environment provided, unresolved pain can surface and be healed. The pain of losing someone is worked at until it become manageable to handle on an everyday basis.

Grief is a growth experience. Clients entering into grief counselling in my practice will feel supported, and validated in there pain however, in the process of softenning the pain, will achieve personal growth. The pain of loss from separation, death, chronic illness is tangible and real, it does not however, have to be crippling rather through therapy grief can be a liberating, changing experience.

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.

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.