Grief and Loss Counselling in Ancaster, ON.

Experiencing the loss of a loved one can be one of the most difficult and painful experiences in life. Grief is a natural process that everyone experiences differently, but it can be overwhelming and affect all areas of life. If you're struggling with grief, therapy can provide a safe and supportive environment for you to process your emotions and work towards healing.

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.

What makes grief so painful? Perhaps it's because we experience a double loss. The first is losing a loved one, the second is losing a part of our ourselves. This is why the familiar saying, "you gotta let go," can sometimes make things worse. Instead of letting go, I'm interested in how we can bring people closer: closer to what we hold dear, closer to what we cherished most… In doing so, we can begin to develop a new relationship with our departed loved one, and simultaneously offer comfort and healing to parts of ourselves.

Grief is the emotional suffering we feel when we lose something or someone important to us. This can include the loss of friend, partner, or family member, a change in life circumstances, death of a pet, getting fired, loss of health, safety, a dream... anything that we once had and now do not. The intensity and process can be unique for each person, but like all other emotions that impact the quality of our life, ignoring it or suppressing it does not work. Seeking support as we move through the various stages of grief is very helpful. Planning for our healing is crucial so that we do not become 'stuck' in the pain. A skilled therapist can assist us during this vulnerable time.

The people who have touched our lives, family members, and special friends (pets) we love are important to us. When anything risks those we love, we also feel distressed. Our deep connection to them means we experience this incredible emptiness when they die. Though we know that death is normal, natural, and inevitable, this knowledge does not eliminate the emotional pain of our loss. Through my losses and the losses of others, I have learned that life is over, but it is never finished. If you are experiencing a recent loss of a family member, friend, or special friend, I am available to journey with you through this loss. Schedule a free 15-minute consultation to see if we are a good fit.

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.

I, like many of us, am no stranger to the feelings of grief and loss and I am aware of how deeply unique and personal these experiences can be. The way that I imagine being part of your journey through these moments is by holding your hand and walking through this unknown path together, while discovering new aspects and meanings of the self along the way. I will check in with you to ensure that we are walking this path on a pace that is most suitable for you, for there is no need to rush during this time. Contact me to schedule a free consultation to ensure we are a good fit.

Although we always hope we as individuals or our children will not suffer the loss of a loved one, loss through divorce, or even illness, at times we must walk down this road in life. Through compassionate remembering conversations and the supportive development of coping skills, Dr. Ellen helps individuals and children garner greater emotional resources in order to cope and find balance.