Grief and Loss Counselling in Tecumseh, ON.

Grief and loss is an unfortunate part of being human. It is inevitable that we will, at some point, lose people we love and have to process and grief the loss. Loss is a broad term that typically refers to losing someone through death. However, other losses include loss of a relationship (break-ups or conflicts), as well as a person's treasured identity (i.e. work-identity, or being a parent when their children have moved out). Loss can be understood as a painful reaction to change - to losing someone or some parts of ourselves. People grieve in different ways, there is no "right" path which can be frustrating. Let me help guide you through your grieving process.

I open up space for clients accept and share their grief, since many people don't feel comfortable doing so, especially with others. I help clients to work toward resolving unresolved grief and express their unexpressed grief. I help clients to honour & give space to their grief. In today's rushed world, people often don't take adequate time to honour their grief & sense of loss. I help clients to try and honour what their lost loved one would have wanted for them, or, sometimes to take back their life back from a lost loved one who didn't value or validate them. I work to prepare clients for grief to be lifelong, though that doesn't mean that it will always have the same intensity.

I approach grief and loss with a deep understanding that it manifests in various forms, each deserving recognition and validation. I emphasize that grieving is a natural response not only to the death of loved ones but also to the loss of pets, plants, and any significant changes in life. By normalizing these experiences, I help clients see that their feelings are valid and that grief can touch any aspect of our lives. It's important to acknowledge and process these feelings at your own pace, and I provide a supportive environment to explore these emotions. Whether it's a cherished pet, a favourite plant, or a life transition, I guide clients through their unique grieving process.

Assisting people through the natural process of grief after a significant loss has been an important part of the work I do for over 15 years. Loss comes in many forms: death of a loved one, sickness and health challenges resulting in a deeply experienced loss of self, loss of relationships through divorce, familial conflict, retirement and even through loss of employment. Each of us will experience loss in our lives and each of us needs to know that we do not have to go through it alone. Therapy can help support you through this difficult time.

Unfortunately we all will encounter grief and loss at times during our lives. There is no set time frame for working through the waves of emotions. However, sometimes we may feel stuck in our grieving process and it is comforting to find support along this journey. I use various techniques dependent on a collaborative treatment design. Therapeutic modalities include Narrative Therapy, Expressive Art Therapy and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing).

Are you using alcohol, substances, or addictive behaviors to cope with grief and loss? Although they provide relief in the short term, their long-term effects on your relationships and health can make it even more difficult to cope. Through a compassionate non-judgmental approach, I help clients explore their relationship to grief and loss so that they can overcome addictive coping strategies. If you're looking for another way forward, feel free to reach out and we can set up a free consultation to discuss further.

Any loss can cause a person to feel grief; whether it is the loss of a job, a relationship, the death of a loved one, or the loss of a cherished dream etc. I find that my clients find it helpful to use Narrative techniques, such as writing personnel journals. However, the use of Somatic Experiencing which is a form of therapy aimed at relieving and resolving the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental and physical trauma-related health problems. Regardless, a person needs to re-connect and make sense to painful emotions and past events in order to effectively deal with a loss or a post traumatic event, such as a motor vehicle accident, rape, sexual attack, childhood trau....

The experience of loss may result from many life experiences including the passing of a human loved one or a beloved pet, the ending of a relationship, job loss, or changes to our physical or mental capabilities. Grief is one of the most challenging of human emotions. Together, we will navigate your unique grieving process to enable you to experience growth and empower you to create a life you can accept and enjoy despite your loss.

As a therapist, I understand the profound impact that grief and bereavement can have on an individual's life. Through therapy, we embark on a journey of healing, offering a safe and compassionate space to explore the complex emotions associated with loss. Together, we navigate the stages of grief, acknowledging the pain, anger, sadness, and confusion that accompany it. Through this process, clients find solace in expressing their feelings openly and learn to integrate their loss into their lives in meaningful ways. Therapy provides a supportive framework for developing coping strategies, fostering resilience, and ultimately, finding a sense of peace and acceptance amidst the pain of loss.

When we lose someone we love, our relationship with them doesn’t need to end. Your loved one is still very much a part of life. Grief counselling can give you a safe place to talk about your loved one, any regrets you are holding on to and resolve any guilt you may be feeling. Grief counseling can help you with “stuck points” and help you oscillate between sorrow and function.

Coping with grief is an inevitable and challenging aspect of life. At Atlas Therapy, our commitment is to assist you in navigating this journey, offering support and empathy as you confront various types of loss. We strive to aid clients in comprehending the grieving process, devising personalized coping strategies, addressing feelings of guilt or anger, fostering social connections, building resilience, and engaging in cognitive restructuring. The skilled therapists at Atlas recognize that grief elicits a spectrum of intense emotions, and we provide a secure, non-judgmental space for you to express and process these feelings. Take the first step towards healing by reaching out today.