Grief and Loss Counselling in Southwold, ON.

In today's society, we are expected to "suck it up and move on" in situations related to loss. However, grief has a mind of its own. It shows up when we least expect it and can linger a lot longer than we want. It comes back again and again, even when we thought we've dealt with it. . Time does heal, and therapy can help. Whether you have lost a loved one through death or a relationship ending, have gone through a difficult life transition or are grieving the loss of something else important to you, we'll help you heal grief in a supportive, non-judgmental & compassionate space. We're here when you're ready! www.kaleidoscopecounsellingco.com

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.

Grief and loss are weaved into our lives in an intimate way. Grief is natural, normal, unique and universal. Grief touches us all at one point or another and is an inevitable part of being human. The experience of grief may be associated with a range of emotions, thoughts and behaviours. It’s important to remember that the journey of grief is not linear and there is no right way to feel. Therapy is a safe space where you can explore your grief. We will move at a pace that feels comfortable to you and I will check in to ensure that you feel safe and supported. Please contact me to schedule a free 15-minute consultation to see if we are a good fit.

Grief and Loss counselling is helpful to break out of isolation and resume contact with oneself and the world around you. Understanding the grief process makes it more manageable and less overwhelming. Counselling helps you to make sense of what is happening in your life and can be a ray of hope while in a dark and lonely place. You cannot "fast-forward" the grief process...however, you can find constructive ways to move through it instead of getting stuck in it!

The trauma of loosing a someone special in your life can bring up mixed emotions. Grief is never predictable and can leave you feeling crazy and overwhelmed. Grief is a unique experience that often leaves you feeling alone and isolated. The emotions come in waves of intensity which can be unpredictable. I offer a safe place to debrief about your feelings without being judged or dismissed.

I believe that while death and other losses are a natural part of life, sometimes it can trigger a complex response or maybe it just feels too big to handle on your own. A therapist can help you make sense of what has happened and understand your emotional responses to the loss. I will help you care for yourself and your loved ones through the process and help you access your support system.

Because loss can't be prevented, grief is inevitable. However, we do not always grieve our most significant losses. It is often far too painful to ‘go there’, and the needed support for doing so may be lacking. Yet non-resolution of often many other strong associated feelings, and experience of sorrow that is not expressed, can harm us by constraining our vitality and perspective on life, robbing us of “aliveness” itself. We can remain ‘stuck’, "depressed", harmed physically by stress effects while compromising our close relationships. Grieving can be greatly obstructed by unprocessed hurts from our earlier life, especially childhood, ie, unfelt prior losses, requiring skillful assessment.

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.

There is intangible and tangible loss both of which are important to acknowledge and allow the individual to grieve in their manner. Having patience and understanding of where the individual is at with their grief is important to help them cope and build strategies to move on with their life. It is important to understand the stages of grief and loss and to acknowledge the stages don't always happen in order, in a timely way, or that all stages are even reached. Grieving for each indivudal is different, it is important for a therapist to recognize and validate for the indivudal seeking counseling that what they are feeling is normal.

Grief is an unavoidable part of life, but it often leaves us feeling unprepared and overwhelmed. It is a response not just to the loss of a loved one but also to the loss of anything deeply meaningful—relationships, careers, or even a sense of identity. Grief doesn’t follow a set timeline, nor does it always look the way others expect. It can manifest as waves of sadness, bursts of anger, difficulty concentrating, or even physical aches and exhaustion. These feelings may come and go, catching you off guard when you least expect them. Therapy for grief provides a compassionate and understanding space where you can express the complexity of your emotions without fear of judgment. It’s not abou

The connections we make with people, animals or things are rarely simple or one-dimensional. So when these connections are lost or changed, they can have a significant impact on our lives. Each individual and connection is unique, so our work together will explore and process the myriad of conflicting or uncomfortable thoughts, feelings and sensation you may be experiencing. Adapting to new roles, developing new ways of connecting with family and friends and managing changes will be the additional ways we can honour the past relationship and navigate a new path.

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

You are grieving and you want me to help you feel better. Unfortunately, if you've lost a loved one or had other losses in your life, I can't change what's happened to you. Instead, I can teach you how to embrace your grief, to stay with your difficult feelings. By doing so, you open the door to self-change and the chance to discover meaning in your life.