Grief and Loss Counselling in Ottawa, ON.

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.

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.

Grief counseling helps people cope with grief and mourning following the loss of a loved one or due to major life changes that trigger feelings of grief (i.e. job loss or divorce). It provides a space for individuals to work through and process the complex emotions surrounding loss. Healthy grieving results in remembering the loss with a newfound sense of peace, rather than searing pain.

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.

Grey Matters International and the work of Kevin J. Fleming, Ph.D approaches issues of grief & loss through the lens of innovation----instead of growing the same neural networks responsible for the pain in weekly therapy sessions, we reset the brain to move forward quicker and efficiently by working on the stuck limbic system so as to empower the person with more success and traction. For no one wants to stay in a grief mode for too long; but when you don’t include the brain in your work with someone, you risk describing the water to them while they drown and calling it success. Contact Grey Matters International, Inc now at kevin@kevinflemingphd.com or 877-606-6161.

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.

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.

How individuals and families cope with dying, death, grief, loss, and bereavement is unique to each individual. Those who are bereaved experience grief, or a person's response or reaction to loss, which encompasses physical, psychological, social, and spiritual components. Historically, many grief counselors and grief therapists have chosen to follow the popular "grief counseling theory of the time." However, in the twenty-first century there are constantly changing theories regarding grief and loss, and new challenges and questions raised by researchers, clinicians, and the bereaved themselves regarding what is or is not helpful during the bereavement process.

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.

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.

Grief and loss affect us differently; sometimes it seems never to end and one finds it difficult to continue living life as normal. I am able to support you during this period to help you understand the different stages of grief and to see to it that you are able to recover your strength and your coping mechanism. Grief is a part of living. However, it becomes overwhelming when there is no support in place while we are grieving. I am available to support you during this period and to identify areas that are not functioning well and help you regain normalcy, regain your problem-solving skills and your resiliency!