Grief and Loss

Grief is the natural response to the loss of someone or something very important to you.  Grief and bereavement counselling and Parent Coaching is for anyone who has experienced  loss, regardless of how recently or how long ago the loss occurred. This is a personal experience and process that sets its own pace, therefore the grieving process will be different for you and your loved ones who may have experienced the same loss.  

Emotional Symptoms:

• Sadness or overwhelming sorrow

• Anger or frustration, often directed at yourself, others, or the situation

• Guilt or regret, even if you had no control over the loss

• Shock or disbelief, especially if the loss was unexpected

• Feelings of numbness or emotional detachment

• Loneliness or isolation, even in the presence of others

• Yearning or longing for the person, situation, or what was lost

Physical Symptoms:

• Fatigue or feeling physically drained, even after rest

• Sleep disturbances, such as insomnia or oversleeping

• Changes in appetite, either eating too much or losing interest in food

• Headaches, body aches, or other unexplained physical pains

• Weak immune system, getting sick more easily due to stress

• Tightness in the chest or difficulty breathing, often linked to emotional stress

Cognitive Symptoms:

• Difficulty concentrating or focusing on tasks

• Memory lapses or forgetfulness

• Confusion or feeling disoriented about your surroundings or life direction

• Preoccupation with the loss, constantly thinking about it or reliving moments

Behavioral Symptoms:

• Withdrawal from social activities or relationships

• Avoidance of reminders of the loss (places, people, activities)

• Increased use of substances like alcohol or drugs to cope

• Reduced interest in hobbies or daily routines

• Difficulty functioning in everyday life (work, school, etc.)

Grief and loss can deeply affect every part of your life — emotionally, mentally, and even physically. You may feel sadness, anger, guilt, or numbness, and these emotions can come in waves, sometimes when you least expect them. Grief can make it hard to focus, sleep, or enjoy things you once loved. It might affect your relationships, as you may pull away from others or struggle to express what you’re feeling. Some people experience physical symptoms like fatigue, headaches, or changes in appetite. Everyone grieves differently, and there’s no “right” timeline for healing. You may feel like you’re doing okay one day, and overwhelmed the next. It’s common to question your sense of purpose or feel lost after a major loss. Over time, with support and self-compassion, you can begin to adjust and find new ways to carry the memory of what you’ve lost while still moving forward. Healing doesn’t mean forgetting — it means learning how to live with the loss.

IFS psychotherapy and Parent Coaching creates connections between the now and then-exploring how past experiences shape our ways of coping with social anxiety, and creating a space of openness to learning new ways that serve us now.  Grief counselling focuses on helping you work through the grief after loss-learning about grief and what to expect; expressing feelings; building new relationships, developing a sense of self after loss, and living life in a meaningful and fulfilled way. . In the therapeutic space, you will be encouraged to share, vent and experience validation towards that goal. You will learn about yourself and have opportunities to practice and integrate new approaches that will increase your self-awareness, relationships and readiness to take on new challenges.