Grief and Loss Counselling in Port Perry, ON.

I have personally suffered a great loss in my life, as a result, I feel that I am uniquely qualified to work with clients who have also suffered similar tragedies. Textbook grief therapy is not enough. My experience has helped me formulate a deep understanding of the particular fears, sadness, and problems one faces while dealing with a profound loss.

Grief and loss can feel overwhelming, touching every part of life and leaving people unsure of how to move forward. In my approach, I create a compassionate, supportive space where clients can express their feelings openly, without judgment. Together, we explore the unique ways grief shows up, whether through sadness, anger, guilt, or even numbness, and find meaningful ways to cope and heal. Using approaches like person-centered therapy, mindfulness, and narrative techniques, I support clients in honoring their loss, making sense of their emotions, and gradually rebuilding a sense of hope and connection in their lives.

After a loss, it is not uncommon to feel helpless, sad, anxious, fearful, or depressed. We understand that the emotional pain you may be feeling makes it hard to live life as it was before the loss. We are here to help you to navigate through the pain, we are here to help you to understand the loss and its impact on you, and we are here to ultimately help you to develop better strategies to cope with the loss and adjust to this new reality. Our approach to therapy means that we are committed to collaborating with you throughout this process in a compassionate and accepting atmosphere.

Contemporary approaches to coping with grief and loss have shown that the path of acceptance and healing is not linear, but a winding road and unique process for every individual. Psychotherapy can help you along your path by providing an outlet for those challenging emotions and providing you with tools to help you cope. With personal experience, I will lend a hand in helping you to cope and integrate the challenges presented by the loss of a loved one or a significant relationship as you find your new normal. Those we lose remain in our hearts, and by remembering them with gratitude we can begin to heal.

Whether it's the loss of an individual or a life change, grief comes with many emotions whether it be sadness, relief, anger, anxiety, etc. During therapy, we will discuss ways to cope with these feelings so they are not so overwhelming in your day-to-day living. We will also explore what the value of the loss is to you, and discuss ways of honoring this so you can move forward with a fulfilling life.

Grief can feel overwhelming and isolating, but you don’t have to face it alone. In our sessions, I provide a compassionate, non-judgmental space where your feelings are honored and your story matters. Together, we’ll explore healthy ways to process loss, build coping strategies, and rediscover meaning in life. My approach focuses on resilience and healing, helping you move forward at your own pace while finding hope and strength for the future.

With Gestalt therapy the five tasks of mourning, are supported: (1) To accept the reality of the loss, (2) To experience the pain of grief, (3) To adjust to the environment in which the deceased is missing, (4) To withdraw (some) emotional energy and reinvest it in another relationship, and (5) To find a place for and maintain a continuing bond with what we lose, however not in any specific order. A gestalt therapist supports the bereaved with an emphasis on a "loving authentic presence and communication that allows expression of EACH other’s personhood" so that feelings are honored and explored at the clients own pace. The here and now is emphasized and that is what leads to support/change