Grief or Loss

I have worked in hospice for over 15 years. As the Doug's House program coordinator, I had the privilege of managing a home for people dying of HIV/AIDS for 3 years. They and their families allowed me into their hearts at one of the most difficult times of life, and it continues to inspire me in the work that I do. Though life's transitions can be gut-wrenching and traumatic, they also offer us a unique way of growing and healing old wounds.

Loss is a normal part of life, and the grief that accompanies it can be transformational. People often fear and try to escape their grief because it's so painful, yet allowing ourselves to experience it with love can break our hearts wide open, making us more appreciative and compassionate human beings. I was trained as a grief counselor in my graduate school years, and have always treasured the humbling experiences of seeing people become more alive through navigating their grief.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) Helps identify and replace negative thought patterns with more positive ones Techniques include reframing, restructuring, and developing a new narrative about the loss

Many clients find me by searching for support after a miscarriage or stillbirth. I've worked with many people who have experienced this uniquely painful loss. This kind of grief is not only about the loss of your baby, but also the loss of all of your dreams for your child, the loss of the idea of what your family would look like, the loss of a part of you, and the loss of your expectations for your pregnancy. It takes as long as it takes to move through grief, so don't rush yourself.

As a Certified Grief Educator, I’m honored to walk with individuals through various types of loss, including the death of a loved one, miscarriage, infertility, life transitions, and the loss of relationships. I offer compassionate support to help you navigate grief and find healing.

I have been a facilitator of grief support groups and a therapist for many clients who've felt the impacts of grief (both acute and prolonged grief). I help my clients honor their grief, make space for complex emotional experiences, feel connection with their loved ones, and re-engage in values-consistent and meaningful activities.

This is my primary specialization. I'm a certified grief professional and have spent my career working to understand the process of grief. From David Kessler to Robert Neimeyer & William Worden to Erica Sirrine, I've worked hard to understand the spectrum of grief and how best to support each individual client with their unique experience and their unique relationship with their loved ones.

Grief is about so much more than death. Sometimes my clients are giving the loss of purpose they feel now that they've retired. The loss of a sense of place and belonging after moving into assisted living. The loss of the mom they once knew, as she slips into the grip of Alzheimer's. I always say - grief is everywhere - we are surrounded by it. Sometimes grief is sadness, sometimes it's relief. Most of the time it's everything in between.

Despite profound pain, the human spirit can mend, create cherished memories, and bear loss with resilience and laughter. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing(EMDR) aids in processing grief and separation distress, promoting positive memories and emotional release. This therapy fosters compassionate integration and adjustment, transitioning from "I cannot connect" to "I can connect"in the face of grief, all while maintaining the importance of preserving memories rather than erasing them.

When we experience the loss of a family member, close friend, job, or pet the pain can be excruciating. Oftentimes those around us don't understand the pain and want us "to get over it!" It can feel like no one understands but I do. I consider it an honour to walk through this journey with you.

Grief isn’t about letting go but drawing our loved ones closer in a new way. The love and bond continue, allowing us to honor their memory and find healing through the enduring connection that remains. Loss, whether it's the end of a relationship, a life transition, or other significant changes, isn't about letting go but about redefining our connection. The bond and experiences we shared remain, helping us honor what was and find healing through the lasting impact it had on our lives.

Nothing in life can prepare us for losing someone we love. When these losses occur in your childhood, though often not intentional, the support you needed to attend to the pain and confusion may not have been available leaving you alone with intense emotions and an inability to cope. This may have created further trauma during this vulnerable time in addition to the loss itself. You may find yourself triggered during any form of loss as an adult. Healing for your broken heart is possible.

Recovery from grief is possible. As a Certified Grief Recovery Specialist, I can support you in regaining a sense of well-being. The Grief Recovery Method is an action-based, powerful, directed approach to healing from life’s deepest heartbreaks. As a Grief Recovery Specialist, I am not just trained to support you in your grief journey, but I have also used this action plan to heal from loss in my own life. Part of the Grief Recovery Method is that each loss is seen as your own, something that

I support clients navigating grief and loss by providing compassionate, culturally responsive care. Using evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and trauma-informed techniques, I help clients process emotions, manage grief-related challenges, and find meaning after loss. My work acknowledges the diverse ways grief is experienced, empowering clients to heal and rebuild their lives at their own pace.

I took a grief literacy elective in grad school and have experienced grief and loss myself, including ambiguous loss. I have worked with clients who have gone through losses associated with abuse, death, confusion over identity resulting from an assault, etc. Grieving is challenging as there isn't a roadmap: it's a unique journey for us all.

I have had extensive professional experience in helping patients and their families in Palliative Care and Senior Centers, who are grieving the loss of loved ones.

Grief has been the throughline in any mental health/social services position I've ever held. I believe we can grieve any change at all, and have supported numerous people through death related losses, divorces, retirement and other life transitions, seasons of illness, and changes to family composition. I am a Certified Grief Professional and have participated in numerous trainings to refine and improve upon my ability to support grieving hearts.

As a former hospice social worker, I know that grief isn’t something we simply "get over." It’s not linear, and it stays with us in different ways. Therapy can help you learn to live with the presence of your grief, rather than trying to erase it. I’m here to support you as you navigate the waves of loss, creating space for your feelings and helping you find ways to carry your grief with compassion and understanding.