Grief and Loss
Loss of something or someone important is often accompanied by an emotional process. This process is known as grief, and we all experience it uniquely. Whether your loss is recent or from longer ago, there are clear and gentle ways that counselling can help. Regardless of how you have begun to grieve, you always have choices.
Some clients come to grief counselling to deal with the loss of a loved one. In these cases it can be important that who the person was takes a focus of the therapy. We maintain our connection to them in order to move through our painful feelings. There are many types of loss other than death. Loss may come in the form of the end of a relationship- your own or someone else's- unemployment, destruction of property, trauma, terminal illness, disability, a crisis of faith, and the list goes on.
Once I understand what the client's loss has been, I explore the impacts of their loss. This is so I can assess the complex changes, which the person is managing. When facing grief and loss, clients may have changes in mood, in their relationships, their lifestyle and even their beliefs. Some may experience low self-esteem, depressed mood, anxiety, alcohol and substance use, and have existential questions.
My approach motivates clients to get clarity on how they're coping and where they feel they need to heal. I encourage my clients to mourn meaningfully and to re-build the parts of their lives which have been impacted. Safety is my priority, and it is my practice to strategize with clients about reducing any harm that might be present in their coping choices.
Grief need not be kept silent. Allowing one's self to explore losses, lessens the pain and honours one's experiences.
If you have any questions about therapy for Grief and Loss I am happy to answer them. I also offer educational services on these topics. This information can be catered to individuals or groups. Contact me for more information.
Some clients come to grief counselling to deal with the loss of a loved one. In these cases it can be important that who the person was takes a focus of the therapy. We maintain our connection to them in order to move through our painful feelings. There are many types of loss other than death. Loss may come in the form of the end of a relationship- your own or someone else's- unemployment, destruction of property, trauma, terminal illness, disability, a crisis of faith, and the list goes on.
Once I understand what the client's loss has been, I explore the impacts of their loss. This is so I can assess the complex changes, which the person is managing. When facing grief and loss, clients may have changes in mood, in their relationships, their lifestyle and even their beliefs. Some may experience low self-esteem, depressed mood, anxiety, alcohol and substance use, and have existential questions.
My approach motivates clients to get clarity on how they're coping and where they feel they need to heal. I encourage my clients to mourn meaningfully and to re-build the parts of their lives which have been impacted. Safety is my priority, and it is my practice to strategize with clients about reducing any harm that might be present in their coping choices.
Grief need not be kept silent. Allowing one's self to explore losses, lessens the pain and honours one's experiences.
If you have any questions about therapy for Grief and Loss I am happy to answer them. I also offer educational services on these topics. This information can be catered to individuals or groups. Contact me for more information.