Loss & grief therapy in Toronto
You’re watching a loved one’s health decline and you suffer for them. If your love could fix them, they’d be up and about by now and wouldn’t be struggling anymore. But it can’t. You imagine this must feel just as bad as if they were already gone – perhaps even worse as time and suffering is prolonged.
You grieve the loss of precious time together, of future moments stolen away. How will you identify yourself without your other half? You reach for your loved one and they’re not there. You worry where you will find the strength to console your family. This sadness and emptiness in your heart won’t recede. It’s crippling.
When death happens suddenly to a person or pet you love or you unexpectedly lose your job, perhaps your home or something you have a deep attachment to, shock from the trauma sets in. You become numb, lonely, isolated, restless and have difficulty concentrating. You slip into anxiety, helplessness and loss of control which can last for days, weeks or longer.
Struggling with anger and guilt, you tell yourself that somehow you are responsible for not doing more than you did to change the situation. You feel guilty and full of shame or experience a conflicting sense of relief.
These same feelings can also arise during slow progressive loss like your marriage dissolving or someone you love is struggling with a life altering or terminal diagnosis or slips into ever deepening dementia.
Grief and bereavement are natural and normal responses to loss – full of pain and suffering and it shows up differently for everyone. There is no set amount of time to grieve or expected ways to do so.
You just need time. Time to be with your grief however is shows up and for as long as you need.
You grieve the loss of precious time together, of future moments stolen away. How will you identify yourself without your other half? You reach for your loved one and they’re not there. You worry where you will find the strength to console your family. This sadness and emptiness in your heart won’t recede. It’s crippling.
When death happens suddenly to a person or pet you love or you unexpectedly lose your job, perhaps your home or something you have a deep attachment to, shock from the trauma sets in. You become numb, lonely, isolated, restless and have difficulty concentrating. You slip into anxiety, helplessness and loss of control which can last for days, weeks or longer.
Struggling with anger and guilt, you tell yourself that somehow you are responsible for not doing more than you did to change the situation. You feel guilty and full of shame or experience a conflicting sense of relief.
These same feelings can also arise during slow progressive loss like your marriage dissolving or someone you love is struggling with a life altering or terminal diagnosis or slips into ever deepening dementia.
Grief and bereavement are natural and normal responses to loss – full of pain and suffering and it shows up differently for everyone. There is no set amount of time to grieve or expected ways to do so.
You just need time. Time to be with your grief however is shows up and for as long as you need.
Signs & symptoms of grief
If you don’t feel better over time, or you develop major depression associated with grief, you could benefit from seeking professional help.
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You may be suffering from major depression if you have an inability to engage with daily activities, a slowing down of your thoughts and speech, lethargy, an increased sense of hopelessness and worthlessness or intense feelings of guilt.
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Grief can be a powerful and overwhelming feeling that affects us physical, emotionally and spiritually. It can knock you down.
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Complicated grief has developed if you begin to display symptoms such as denial of the death or loss, believing the deceased is still alive or searching for them.
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Profound longing, avoiding anything that reminds you of your loss or thoughts of suicide are elements of complicated grief.
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Just knowing your feelings are normal can be helpful when you’re trying to cope.
Treatment for loss, bereavement & grief in Toronto
We all experience loss and grief during the course of our lives and it can feel like the most excruciating pain we could possibly endure. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to take over your life. You can learn to cope and find relief. There is lightness waiting for your heavy heart.
If you are suffering from the pain of bereavement, grief or loss, schedule a free consult so I can be there to support you through it. Don’t suffer alone. I can help.
If you are suffering from the pain of bereavement, grief or loss, schedule a free consult so I can be there to support you through it. Don’t suffer alone. I can help.
How I work with loss, bereavement & grief
When we work together you will have the opportunity to talk about death and the loss of important aspects of your life. Together we’ll explore all your feelings and emotions – your shock, pain, guilt or relief through Talk Therapy / Compassionate Inquiry and the Expressive Arts.
We won’t rush and will take all the time you need to sit with your grief, so your emotions don’t get buried and prolong further suffering.
We won’t rush and will take all the time you need to sit with your grief, so your emotions don’t get buried and prolong further suffering.
Together we develop an individualized treatment plan that might stem from a desire to maintain bonds with the deceased or needing to focus on the change in life circumstances or both. Self-soothing techniques that work for you will also be explored. Whatever you need will be supported.
That could look like the creation of a cathartic ritual to say goodbye or paying tribute by recognizing and celebrating the value of these important people and aspects of your life and how they will be missed. This plan can also include a legacy project should you wish to create a tangible memory for yourself or your loved ones.
Either way, through the process, you will learn to cope and find new ways of being. You will learn that you can experience pain without falling apart, that you're resilient, sensitive and capable of living with your loss gracefully. You will surface from the depths of despair with room to breathe.
That could look like the creation of a cathartic ritual to say goodbye or paying tribute by recognizing and celebrating the value of these important people and aspects of your life and how they will be missed. This plan can also include a legacy project should you wish to create a tangible memory for yourself or your loved ones.
Either way, through the process, you will learn to cope and find new ways of being. You will learn that you can experience pain without falling apart, that you're resilient, sensitive and capable of living with your loss gracefully. You will surface from the depths of despair with room to breathe.
Art therapy for end-of-life
Legacy Work
