Grief and Loss Counselling in Vaughan, ON.

Grieving is a process that is difficult to understand until you actually go through it. You can feel isolated, even from those closest to you. Loss can include the death of a loved one, divorce, job loss, or traumatic injury. Counselling can help you express and process the emotions and thoughts about the loss such as anger, anxiety, and depression. I will help you move beyond the feelings of grief and towards new possibilities in your life.

Loss leaves a horrible feeling with a person. We feel left behind and unsure of where to go next. We ought to process these emotions in addition to imagining what moving forward could look like. It is my job to help facilitate this process and be a part of this journey venturing forward which may sometimes involve looking back. However, it is my ultimate belief that we can and will move on and move forward.

Unfortunately grief is an inescapable part of life. When we lose someone or something in our life dealing with the void can be an uphill battle. Grief isn’t always necessarily only a feeling that we have, more importantly it is a process we must go through to heal. Using a variety and tailored approach to therapy, I am committed to all of my clients to ensure that we walk the path to rebuilding yourselves together. Whether the process is long or short, my clients know that I will always be there for them. Many think of grief in terms of death but the truth is there are many different types of grief examples may be loss of relationship, loss of job, divorce, grieve the way things used to be.

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.

Grief and loss are inevitable and an inescapable part of life. Grief can of course include the loss of someone to death, but it can also be ambiguous. Ambiguous loss can include the loss of relationships, family connections, our identities, our careers, or even who we were pre-pandemic? Grief around post-traumatic events or grieving the loss of a childhood you never had are also types of losses and grief that I can help you with.

I have personally suffered a great loss in my life, as a result, I feel that I am uniquely qualified to work with clients who have also suffered similar tragedies. Textbook grief therapy is not enough. My experience has helped me formulate a deep understanding of the particular fears, sadness, and problems one faces while dealing with a profound loss.

Grief can occur in many ways. Fundamentally it is a loss of something or someone important to our lives. The loss leaves a void behind. Moving through grief and healing from it is a process that occurs over time. Sometimes it helps to go through this with someone beside you. If you feel the need for a companion on this journey who may have some ideas that could help your grief process, please reach out.

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.

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.

Grieving the loss of a loved one or something precious to you can be very difficult. Each person’s experience of grief is unique to them, and everyone grieves in their own way and in their own time. In therapy with me, you will be able to explore your experience of grief in a safe space, consider the different emotions and impacts the loss might be having on your life, and develop a new relationship or story about the loss you experienced. Schedule a free consultation with me to see if we are a good fit.

The loss of someone close or a comforting presence in your life is amongst the most difficult emotional experiences to go through alone. Sometimes it can feel like grief is never ending, particularly when you have become stuck or are afraid to fully engage with your feelings. This is no time to be alone or surrounded by people that don't understand the gravity of your loss. You can trust men to help you work through the process of grieving at your own pace and in your own way, by being there for you each step of the way.

Grief, loss, and bereavement, whether it is the passing of a loved one, the end of a career, or the falling-apart of a relationship are all similar: we are losing or have lost an important part of our lives. Understanding the emotions, feelings, and behaviours we have when we experience grief and bereavement is part of helping us accept what has occurred, why we feel the way that we are feeling, and what is next for us. In working with clients on grief, loss, and bereavement it is important to understand that the way we process these experiences is unique to each person, and the pillar of respect is paramount.

Grief and loss are significant life experiences that can be difficult to manage. I have heard from many that sometimes it seems like the extreme sadness will not leave them. I work with such clients to try and make space in their life to experience positive emotions along with the sadness. Grief is very individual and some clients desire help to "move past the grief", while others do not agree with this. I work to meet clients where they are, to optimize their day to day life experiences according to their own individual hopes. In addition, I help clients to find meaning in their experience of grief and loss, honour the life of their lost loved one, and manage the related difficult emotions.

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

Coping with Grief & Loss Losing someone or something you love is very painful. After a significant loss, you may experience all kinds of difficult and surprising emotions, such as shock, anger, and guilt. Sometimes it may feel like the sadness will never let up. While these feelings can be frightening and overwhelming, they are normal reactions to loss. Accepting them as part of the grieving process and allowing yourself to feel what you feel is necessary for healing. There is no right or wrong way to grieve — but there are healthy ways to cope with the pain. You can get through it!

Have you found yourself in deep sadness from a recent loss or that may be many years old and perhaps you are only recently recognizing? People were designed to reach out to someone when they are grieving and have had a loss. Unfortunately in our modern world, we are expected to be brief about our losses, to shrug them off and move on. You don't have to suffer alone. I will support you to more fully allow yourself to experience this loss and sadness in safety so that you can truly process the pain. Please contact me for help.