Grief Therapy in Mississauga

Understanding Grief

At Collaborative Therapy in Mississauga, we believe it’s essential for your therapist to truly understand your grief. Our therapists are compassionate and gentle, responsive to your individual needs. Many have experienced their own losses, allowing us to empathize with your pain and sorrow. Grief can feel isolating, especially when your support system returns to their everyday lives while you continue to navigate your lingering grief. Processing grief is rarely linear; it's normal to have days when life feels manageable and others when the pain feels overwhelming and consuming. It’s also common to experience feelings of anger, depression, and denial as you work towards acceptance.

What is Grief Therapy and Counseling?

The quality of your relationship with your therapist is one of the most vital factors in the success of therapy. That’s why we provide free consultations to ensure you feel comfortable from the outset. If at any point you don’t feel a connection, we have another team member ready to meet with you.

Grief counseling aims to create a safe space for you to process your emotions openly and honestly. Whether your loss involves the death of a spouse, parent, child, friend, or even a pet, we are here to witness your pain and suffering. We will help you access and express your emotions, share your memories, and honor the stories of the person you lost. If your loss has caused you pain or harm, we will support you in reconciling any conflicting feelings and may even explore the journey toward forgiveness. Our goal is to help you develop a new relationship with your grief, allowing you to find a way to live fully while honoring your loss.

When and Why to Seek Treatment?

We believe that you are the expert on your own experience and will recognize when you need professional support. However, there are times when it may be difficult to hear that inner voice. Here are some signs that seeking help could be beneficial:

  • You have just experienced a loss and lack personal support.

  • You find it challenging to complete daily tasks.

  • The loss has triggered past trauma.

  • An earlier loss is affecting your current important relationships.

  • Feelings of depression persist for more than four weeks, impacting your self-care.

  • You simply need someone to talk to.

Session Structure: Getting Started

You have the option of attending in-person sessions at our Square One Mississauga office or the convenience of virtual sessions. Each session lasts 55 minutes. You can expect to feel listened to, valued, and assured that your concerns matter. We will assist you in identifying the patterns keeping you stuck and implement strategies to break these unhelpful cycles for good.

It’s Okay Not to Feel Okay

If you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms, please know that you’re not alone, and it's important to reach out for help

  • Overwhelmed by emotions of sadness, confusion, and guilt

  • Finding it difficult to get through your daily activities

  • Feeling disconnected from others

  • Unsure of how to find purpose again

  • Struggling to fall asleep

  • Having difficulty accepting your loss

Therapies that Help with Grief and Loss

  • CBT is a structured, goal-oriented approach that helps individuals identify and reframe negative thought patterns related to their grief. By challenging distorted thinking, clients can develop healthier coping strategies that allow them to respond to their grief more adaptively. This therapy empowers individuals to regain a sense of control, fostering resilience and renewed hope.

  • MBSR integrates mindfulness meditation and yoga to foster present-moment awareness and self-acceptance. Through this practice, individuals can learn to observe their grief without judgment, allowing for greater emotional regulation and clarity. By cultivating mindfulness, clients can reduce overwhelming feelings and discover peace within the chaos of their emotions.

  • Somatic experiencing focuses on the connection between the body and the mind, helping individuals process the physical sensations associated with grief. This body-oriented approach encourages clients to notice and release stored tension, promoting healing from traumatic experiences and emotional pain. By addressing the physical aspects of grief, clients can find a sense of safety and integration.

  • Narrative therapy provides a framework for clients to explore and reconstruct their personal stories surrounding loss. By reauthoring their narratives, individuals can find meaning in their experiences and redefine their identity beyond their grief. This process empowers clients to view their experiences from a new perspective, facilitating healing and a sense of purpose.

  • ACT teaches clients to accept their thoughts and emotions rather than trying to suppress or avoid them. This approach emphasizes identifying personal values and committing to actions that align with those values, even in the presence of grief. By fostering acceptance, individuals can create a fulfilling life, allowing their experiences of loss to coexist with a renewed sense of purpose.

  • CFT focuses on cultivating self-compassion as a means to navigate grief and reduce self-criticism. This approach helps individuals develop a nurturing inner dialogue and promote emotional healing through kindness toward themselves. By embracing compassion, clients can better cope with their pain and foster a greater sense of connection to themselves and others.