While our minds and bodies function to protect us, our survival strategies may not always produce long-term outcomes which suit how one prefers their life to look. Chronic experiences of the four f's (fight, flight, freeze, fawn) can knock one off balance to their valued, preferred way of living. In therapy, I will integrate my personal and professional training in DBT, to collaborate and form a treatment plan with you that aligns with your values and preferred story, to facilitate the life worth living that you deserve.
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.
Loss comes in many forms. Whether you're grieving the loss of a loved one, trying to navigate a painful break-up, or still feeling the effects of losses earlier in life, it can be helpful to have a space to talk about your feelings and not feel so alone with them.
With over a decade of working in grief counselling, bereavement groups and cancer coping skills seminars, I am well versed and have a particular affinity for engaging with the very vulnerable experience of Loss .
For loss and grief, I use a multi-modal approach with the approaches of compassion-focused and narrative therapy. Loss and grief are always evolving and therefore focusing on the emotion of the present and the stories involving them becomes important.
Whether it's a loved one, a pet or the ending of a relationship, we all experience loss and grief in this life. Grief is the transactional exchange for love and it is one of life's toughest challenges. I will provide a safe space to share your grief and when it is time to start taking steps forward, we will do so, one step at a time.
I offer a free 15-minute phone consultation. Please do not hesitate to reach out.
Grief can occur in many shapes and forms. Perhaps you have just experienced the loss of a loved one, the ending of an important relationship, or a change in the life you had once envisioned for yourself. You may be experiencing sadness, anger, confusion, happiness, or it may be too early to know exactly just how you feel. Identifying and processing these emotions can be a helpful first step in navigating this loss and beginning your healing journey. Connect with me today for a free consultation today to see if we are a good fit.
Loss or Grief will be primarily explored through talk therapy. The sessions will focus on talking about emotions and discussing their loss. A narrative approach will be used to explore their perspective of grief.
Grief can be experienced due to a multitude of losses. We often experience grief after the death of a loved one. Other times we have feelings of grief that surface due to ambiguous losses—such as the loss of a stage of life, the loss of not having children; or grief that emerges after a job loss or a move to a new city. Grief is not a problem to be fixed, it is a natural process of life that needs to be experienced—often in community or with a caring other. Therapy can be a safe place to bear witness to these losses and the grief that accompanies them, while honouring your memories, wishes and also creating meaning for the future.
Registered Psychotherapist, Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), Masters in the Arts
It can feel unbearable when you are trying to cope with grief and loss, and everyone's experience of grief is different and unique. It becomes so hard to get through your day. With great empathy and support every step of the way, I can help you to process your grief and loss so you can begin to heal and start to feel better and stronger.