Grief and Loss Counseling

Barbara provides counseling and guidance for a variety of losses.  Some people only need to know they are not going crazy when they feel so out of control in their life and don’t know what to do to take the pain of grief away.

For many people talking about their loss is difficult and the most difficult part is finding someone to talk with who will listen and care.

What about the loss experiences that go hidden from conversations?  The “secret” losses or those societies appear to be less willing to talk about such as;

• Abortion loss experienced by men or women (yes, there is help for men too)
• Illness (loss of independence, future dreams etc.)
• Loss of a job (sometimes this changes how people see you)
• Miscarriage or infant loss
• Pet loss (many times pets are seen and loved as part of the family)
• Relationship loss (depending on the relationship)
• Sexual abuse loss (self, relationships, fear, anger etc.)
• Suicide

There are many times when one loss experience triggers grief and sadness from previous losses or an individual doesn’t grieve a loss for many years.

Counselling can be an avenue to release past hurts, fears and sadness that may be the cause of health related problems not initially related to grief.

GRIEF IS THE BASIS OF MANY CONCERNS IN LIFE BUT

FEW PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THIS.

 Talking with family members about a loss may not be the best decision since they;

• May be experiencing their own grief reactions
• May not want to hear the story of your loss over and over again
• May not have the capacity to help in the manner you need at the time
• May not be an appropriate resource given the situation

Contact Barbara to book a free consultation 519-637-8458 bsaunders@healingaheartsloss.com

 

Services provided by “Healing a Heart’s Loss” are LGBT positive.

 

Workshops with Barbara

Are open to people;

• Who are struggling with current or past loss/losses (death, relationship etc.)
• Who want to understand and help someone else through the struggles of grief  

Are

• Informative
• Interactive
• Encouraging

Are

• Designed to help individuals identify and express specific feelings and concerns
• Designed to allow for gradual progression through the grief and loss journey
• Located in a quaint, comfortable, and relaxed safe place
• Open to a few people at a time
• An opportunity to ask questions and get straight, direct answers.

Are

• Offered as a series or choose the one that best suits your needs depending where you are on your grief journey (discuss with Barbara if unsure)

 

Coping with Grief   level 1

“When Will the Tears Stop?”

Is a session where individuals learn to understand what their “unique” grief process looks like and why.  Individuals have the opportunity to personalize their grief journey and in so doing come to understand what is going on emotionally, physically, mentally and socially.

Coping tools are given to help work through what is going on in their life and heart.

Life after Loss        level 2

“Living with the Memories…How?” Is a session where individuals focus more specifically on what is actually happening in their lives.  Looking at constructive ways to take steps forward and understanding what road blocks that get in their way.  Starting to see light and laughter in life or finding ways to create a new life.

To Live, Laugh & Love Again       level 3  

“Creating New Memories…How?”

Is a session where individuals will laugh and have fun exploring the many possibilities of the tomorrows to come.  Creating or implementing ideas to build a future on.

 

What Goes Bump in the Night?

“Is Getting Signs From a Loved One Possible?”

Is an informal session where individuals explore and lightly touch upon the possibility of a loved one leaving signs and trying to connect after their death.  What are the signs?  Are the signs the same for everyone?  Sharing experiences, asking questions and coming to your own meaning and conclusions based on the information provided and shared. 

 

 

COPING WITH DIVORCE & SEPARATION

“What about ME?  Enough is enough!”                          

Is a session where individuals explore what their unique journey looks like and on who, what or where they need to put their focus.  The information is fine-tuned for the participants in attendance and encourages looking at the emotional, physical, mental and social aspects of what is happening as a result of the divorce or separation.

 

Support Groups (for death loss)

Coping with Grief

Are

• Focused on telling your story and sharing concerns
• Limited to a small group of participants
• Located in a quaint, comfortable, and relaxed safe place
• Intended to help you progress through the grief journey
• Facilitated with an understanding that more than the current loss experience may be a concern now or in the future

Are

• Interactive
• Experiential
• Informative

Are more than “just” support groups; you get the added benefit of Barbara’s counselling abilities and the unique, compassionate manner in which she creates an atmosphere for sharing from the heart.

 

Weekend Away

More Than a “Life After Loss” weekend away

Is a time for people who are grieving a loss to delve deeper into how life has been up to now with your grief journey and then taking the intentional STEPS to “be” different from this time forward.  This is a full, busy working weekend with assignments, personal contemplation, sharing and exploring new ideas. Notwithstanding is the component of fun, laughter and opening to new possibilities.

 

Seminars and Presentations

Are

• used as a means to provide information, resources and encourage the open discussion of death, grief and loss to a variety of venues such as;
  • Organizations
  • Businesses
  • Professionals
  • Facilities

 Are

• Interactive
• Interesting
• Informative

 

Ways of Remembering Memories                FREE!

Is a visual presentation designed to encourage audience participation.  New ideas and ways of remembering memories are displayed and explained.  A soft way to open the discussion on loss.

• Free
• ½ hour presentation
• Suitable for any organization, family, friends etc.

 

Children, Loss, Divorce/Separation & You

            a presentation for adults

 Is an interactive presentation addressing many concerns related to life adjustments for families after a divorce or separation.

• 1 hour presentation
• How adults may react to divorce/separation if they are also a child of divorced/separation situation
• Grief and loss reactions of children that are noticed and unnoticed
• A child’s concerns
• Ways to create new memories

      The support you need comes from many different places if you are open to it; from people, books, songs, pets, retreats, counselling etc.

 

Information is powerful.

Being informed empowers.

Once empowered, a new “normal” can open for those who grieve.

                                                                      by  Barbara Saunders