Grief and Loss Counselling in Fergus, ON.

Losing a loved one can be devastating! Whether the death is natural or accidental, or intentional, often family member's are left with feelings of non-closure, guilt, shame, helplessness. I provide a safe, emphatic environment for family members to grieve and heal! Together we will create an effective plan that will help individual's to cope through the natural grieving cycle.

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.

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.

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.

In my practice, I offer compassionate support to individuals navigating the complex and often overwhelming emotions associated with grief and loss. Grief is a universal experience, yet it is uniquely personal. Whether someone is mourning the loss of a loved one, facing the end of a relationship, or coping with a significant life change, the journey through grief can be challenging. My approach is rooted in creating a safe and empathetic space for clients to express their emotions, memories, and concerns without judgment. Through a combination of grief-focused counseling, narrative therapy, and mindfulness techniques, I work collaboratively with clients to honor their unique grieving process.

When I was 14 I experienced my first death. My grandpa was my favorite person in the world at the time. He used to sit beside me and play with my earlobe while we would talk about our day. I couldn't make sense of all the emotional issues that it brought. I have also experienced loss in my life that doesn't involve death, yet profoundly affected my life in negative and confusing ways. Grief & Loss can be pretty tricky and complex! The benefits to working with me is that I go above for all of my clients! One of my clients suffering with grief had not been to the burial site since the funeral. I drove them 2 hours so that we could journey together through something they were finally ready for.

In the wake of death, divorce, or tragedy, it is normal to feel lost, cut adrift, and out-of-control. Grief therapy is a safe place to become grounded, where you can process your emotions without fear of being judged or shut down. While your friends and family might want you to move on fast - there are no "shoulds" or "musts" here. In our sessions, we'll work on processing grief on your own terms, in a way that honours you and the relationship you had with the person you lost. We'll work to help you get your bearings and - in time - to return back to life after your loss.

We will all experience grief and loss at various times in our lives and with varying effects. While it is normal to experience sadness after a loss, some people benefit from some extra support at this difficult time. Whether this is the result of losing someone or something important to you, grief needs a witness. Fully exploring the loss that you have experienced and its impact on you is the first step in figuring out how to integrate the loss into your life as you move forward.

Many people have ideas about how grief should look or feel based on expectations from family, society, or the media. There are so many experiences and events that deserve be mourned, whether society recognizes them or not, and your feelings about the loss are valid. Your experience of grief is unique to you and there is no correct way to process your loss, which is why I work collaboratively with clients to explore meaning in the thoughts and feelings that emerge as you begin your healing journey. Book a free consultation to learn more about my approach and explore if we are a good fit.