Grief and Loss Counselling in Orleans, ON.

Helping clients go through the stages of grief and loss by validating their experience and educating them on what these stages consist of and strategies to help them cope with the variety of emotions that they will be processing through this difficult time. Also helping clients recognize that grief and loss are a part of any type of loss that we may encounter, whether it be the loss of a relationship, loss of a job, loss of a loved one, etc.

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 is a potential reaction to a loss of any kind whether through death, divorce, abandonment, separation, job loss, illness, disease diagnosis, kids leaving home, etc. Feelings of anger, resentment, shame, confusion, isolation or abandonment can result. Friends and family may not know what to say or how to provide support. A trained professional, who is profoundly sympathetic, respectful and empathetic, with the skills required to help one navigate through this difficult time, can be critical in helping one regain equilibrium.

Wouldn’t it feel reassuring to have someone listen with compassion? Whether you've lost someone physically or psychologically, grief hits you when you least expect it. We can try everything to avoid those emotions that follow, but grief is patient, grief does not discriminate and will wait until you're done. Greif will wait until you finally have a moment to yourself or when you're in the middle of a conversation. Let's move through the grief and be waiting for it instead.

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.

Loving a loved-one may have a profound and debilitating effect on us. When working with those struggling with grief and loss, I have found that EMDR therapy is particularly beneficial. I work with clients to identify the particular aspects of the loss that is the most vivid, the negative self-beliefs held about the loss, and the attachment to the negative feelings. We then, collaboratively, work together to question the truth of these negative self-beliefs and dissolve the emotional pain surrounded by the loss. At the end of grief and loss therapy, clients have the potential of restoring the wonderful memories of their loved-ones, free from the pain of their departure.

Clients experiencing grief and loss can often benefit from a supportive therapeutic process. It can allow a space to explore feelings without having to take care of anyone else-it is just for them. Clients can also explore blocks or complications to grieving that might be contributing to their struggle, for instance older traumas, difficulty with feeling or expressing their emotions.

There is a natural process of grieving but sometimes, for various reasons we become 'stuck' and lost in the midst of the grief and losses we have experienced. Grief and loss occur not just when we have lost someone through death. There are so many losses: the loss of a marriage, the loss of a deep friendship, the loss of a job or even the loss of a long held dream or hope among so many others. It is possible to find hope and way to move forward in the midst of these losses. I will walk alongside you and help you to find new ways to move forward.