Grief and Loss Counselling in Toronto, ON.

Grief is one of the hardest things many of us ever experience. It is a trauma that is held in our body as well. It can be all consuming and painful in many ways. But if we try to ignore it, it simply gets louder, becoming depressive and anxiety like symptoms. Grief is intense because it needs the space to be processed. It may not go away completely, but there will be a life without it taking over. You will get through this and learn to manage it. We will get through it together.

Processing loss is painful, confusing and often isolating. This is not something that is as simple as progressing through "stages" in order and typically involves emotions that we have been taught to avoid or suppress. Working with a therapist to unpack and go through grief and loss can offer some space and perspective that is not there when we talk with friends and family. Here you can have a non-judgmental space to take the time to work this out in the way that you need. This is not always easy, but we can navigate this together.

Grief, another powerful emotion we experience when dealing with loss, is a conditioning that affects all human beings. In our society there is often a notion that we should hurry up and get over our grief but maybe we should grieve as long as we need to. One way to see loss is to see loss as change and then to let change in. By developing a practice of loving kindness towards ourselves and others we can take a gentler approach toward loss and pain.

In grief and loss therapy, I approach each client with compassion and empathy as they navigate through the difficult and often overwhelming emotions associated with losing a loved one. My goal is to create a safe and supportive space for clients to express their feelings, explore their grief, and develop coping strategies to move towards healing. I believe that grief is a unique and personal process that varies for each individual, and I tailor my approach to fit each client's needs. Through therapy, clients can expect to gain a deeper understanding of their emotions, develop healthy ways to cope with their grief, and work towards finding a new sense of meaning and purpose in their lives.

Individual therapy is focused on your unique needs and goals. Individual therapy includes learning about your history and life experiences then establishing goals to accomplish in counselling. Our histories are the roots that provide us with a foundation of strength and resilience. But, our histories can also hold the stories that cause pain, insecurity and doubt. It is our belief that the best therapy comes from helping to heal the roots that cause those stuck points. Through this we can create lasting change.

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.

It is said that grief is love with no place to go. Grief and loss come in many forms, and together we will explore how the grief and loss we experience shapes our life, and how we can learn to live our life in the presence of loss. There is no quick or easy solution through the experience of grief or loss, but we can take the journey together toward whatever comes next.

Individuals often come to see me for therapy in my practice in the downtown area of Toronto in order to help them cope with grief, bereavement, and difficulty adjusting to painful loss. For some clients this includes the loss of a close family member, for others this includes the loss of an intimate relationship. In either case, the opportunity to discuss such losses and to understand their impact is an important part of the psychotherapy process.

We all grieve differently; there is no right or wrong way to grieve. It is a uniquely personal experience. My therapeutic approach is to meet my clients where they are and address their current needs. That may be sitting in a safe space and expressing your emotions, talking about how life will be different after the loss or focusing on self-care. I will provide guidance, validation, and support but this journey is yours so I will check in with you regularly to ensure that your needs are being met. Please contact me if you would like to book a free consultation.

Loss is something we all face, and can be the most difficult and isolating time of your life. Whether facing the loss of a loved one, career, marriage, or any significant part of your life, we can help. We take a different approach with grief and loss than other types of therapy, as we help you process the loss and the feelings, rather than target any emotional changes.

Grief/loss is something we inevitably all face, and can be a challenging journey. It can often come in waves which can be incredibly difficult to navigate alone. It is normal to feel anger, resentment and isolation along with the sadness. I am passionate about supporting you through this process, while providing you with tools to better manage the pain.

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

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

Grief and loss are normal, universal emotional experiences, but there is a tendency to get stuck in depression or anxiety rather than feel the sadness involved with loss. That’s understandable, because suffering is painful and difficult to bear alone. A therapist can support an individual with strategies for finding hope that a broken heart will mend. The aim is to build trust that, by allowing the expression of these feelings, the energy spent on suffering can be freed and reinvested back into creating a fulfilling life. As you do with a broken shoulder, you pay attention to the pain and attend to it in healthy ways while nature takes its course, allowing broken bones or hearts to heal.

Because grief and loss can be so overwhelming that it feels like we are being swallowed whole by it, I approach this with compassion, empathy and sensitivity. Healing from such a heartbreak, can be crippling, I hold space where you can share anything that it coming up for you surrounding the grief and loss. This could include things left unfinished, things you wish you could have said or things you didn't mean. Without judgement, we will explore all this and more in a safe and supportive way.

Every person's grief and loss is unique. I will work with you to process that unique experience through discussion in sessions, and exercises that I will give you to process your thoughts and feelings. These exercises wll be specific to your loss. We will also embrace the healing power of time, and the notion of radical acceptance of what cannot be changed.

Grief is a normal and natural response to aloss, and losses can create a lot of pain and suffering. The grieving process is very individualized and personal such that everyone processes and experiences grief differently. Whereas some might feel better after a few weeks, others might need years to feel better. There is no set time. In all cases, it is important to cope and get support with grief aand not ignore it.

Grief and loss can feel like an emotional rollercoaster. Understanding your grief and how it impacts your daily life is a crucial step towards overcoming it. Sharing your perspective and experience in a safe space can help you process your loss. Whether you attend treatment in an individual or group setting, your experience grieving is unique to you.

Loss, whether it be from the death of a loved one or the end of a significant relationship, is one of the-if not the most-painful experiences a human can experience. Financial, spiritual, moral or other types of losses can also be experienced as very painful and challenging, often leaving one feeling lost, confused or drained of vitality and meaning. In today's modern world, we are given very little time and space to acknowledge and understand grief. Working with a therapist may help you to process your loss, honor your grief, and integrate it in a way that that helps you to restore meaning and joy in your life.

Grief, bereavement, and mourning are a normal part of life that at some point we all must go through-but often mix up when we express our emotions. Healing from each process is a challenging path to walk on your own alone. We can help to make sense of where you are, so you feel confident about your personal journey. Book your appointment with us and experience a new way of therapy online.

Grief can feel overwhelming and confusing and it can be hard to know how to cope with these emotions and our sense of loss. In times like these it can be so helpful to have a person come alongside and walk this journey with you. In my work with individuals who have experienced grief, I support each person to discover their own unique path to healing from grief. Book a free consultation to explore if we are a good fit.

Losing someone dear to us can bring a wave of mixed emotions where it can feel hard to know where to begin. With patience, care, and openness, I hope to offer you the space to process all of the thoughts and feelings you are experiencing. We will then work together to find a way towards calmness and peace when facing the changes in your life, at a pace that is comfortable for you.

Many forms of loss, transition, and shift in our lives can bring on feelings of grieving. Our society has not offered guidance and direction on how to manage these complex feelings. They can affect ones ability to feel connected to others, feel frozen in their loss, have difficulty with previously easy and average daily life tasks, be able to concentrate or think clearly, yearn for the lost person or situation, have difficulty moving on. I help people recover from many forms of loss and grief (relationship loss, death, new even positive life transitions, job/career loss, empty nest etc). My approach is guided by openness, warm regard and support.

I use a very holistic approach to loss and grief. We bring many aspects into the work including talk therapy, meditation, body centered relaxation, spirituality, letter writing, Emotional Freedom Technique, New Decision Therapy, Polarity Therapy, Cranosacral, Reiki, visualization, forgiveness work and acceptance work. We touch on how loss Can be a catalyst for growth and transformation.

Over the course of our lives, we experience various losses and we grieve in many different ways. It can be difficult to know how to begin working through grief and you do not have to be alone in this process. I believe that grieving is a journey and I welcome the opportunity to support you in your path to healing. Within therapy, we can explore some of the emotions you are experiencing, unpack expectations about what grieving looks like, discuss possibilities for connection with what’s most important within your life, and consider possible ways to honour the loss(es) you have experienced. Contact me or book a free consultation if you wish to learn more.