Mental health support for physical illness, pain and uncertainty. Loss comes in so many forms. Sometimes it shows up unexpectedly whereas other times we may anticipate and fear its arrival. We may even struggle to recognize our experiences of grief, particularly if our losses go unrecognized or invalidated by those around us. Or because grief, our response to loss, can look and feel different for everyone. Changes in our bodily functions, sense of self, social and family roles, independence, financial stability, career aspirations or hopes and plans for the future are just a few of the losses we may experience. In some cases, losses may pile up with more on the horizon leaving us to continually revisit and attend to our grief when we just wish it would settle for a short while.
Loss and grief are an unavoidable part of life, yet can be quite devastating. Losing a loved one can leave one feeling overwhelmed, confused angry and may lead one to isolate. Grieving the loss of those we shared difficult relationships with can be unexpectedly more complicated.
Therapy can assist supporting you through the complex process of grieving. Although your life will not return to be exactly how it was before the loss, in therapy you can work toward developing resilience, tapping into your personal resources and find support in others as you heal and regain a sense of peace.
There is no one way to grieve, but rather it is a process that is as individual as the person we have lost. As a Registered Psychotherapist and Recreation Therapist, I specialize in supporting individuals experiencing loss, grief, and complicated/complex grief, using a narrative approach that helps with integrating the loss, as well as techniques to assist with associated depression, anxiety, and sense of self.
As loss may be best described as the absence of something valuable, grief is the reaction to this absence. It permeates every area of our lives.
The way we experience grief is personal and changes as we adapt to the loss. Feelings of guilt, disbelief, anger, yearning, and sorrow are often present. Going through the stages of grief is difficult. Together, we will explore the healing journey ensuring you are self-companionate while honouring the one’s you have lost and to explore and understand your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours that are integrated into your bereavement process. Schedule a free consultation to see if we are a good fit.
Loss and grief does not only involve the death of a loved one. It can also involve the loss of a job, transitions in your life, the loss of a role, a break up, a friendship, retirement, a move, giving up something that you cared for or a serious illness. Grief and loss come in different shapes and sizes. It is also expressed in various ways. I want to help you find ways to cope with these losses and understand the process of grieving.
A loss isn't easy; it can overwhelm and upend even the most stalwart lives. While we can try and plan for it, sudden or not, the pain and anguish felt by the finality of a heartfelt loss are resounding.
Our brains are socially driven, and the need for connection is biologically wired to ensure the survival of our species. Grief is a natural, visceral response experienced due to connective loss regardless of the circumstances - death, job, relationship, injury or illness.
I understand that the pain from the loss may never go away, but together we can work to develop a more compassionate relationship for managing grief. We will explore how to respond to your pain with kindness and move towards a rich and meaningful life despite the loss, reclaiming peace and fulfillment.
Registered Social Worker, Registered Social Worker
I know how difficult it can be to lose someone in your life or something in your life. Grief is oftentimes associated with the loss of a person, but we may also grieve the loss of a relationship, the loss of a job, the loss of social connection, etc. As someone who has focused on serious illnesses and grief throughout my education, I hope to provide a space to explore your anticipatory or active grief and work together to reach a place of peace. I know reaching out can be the hardest part, but I promise you it's worth it.