Katie Dunnigan Psychotherapy (M.A, R.P)
Holistic Therapy for Eating Disorders, Depression and Anxiety, Burlington, Ontario
Grief Counselling
Grief is a normal part of your humanity, but it is deeply painful. It may show up as sorrow, despair, loneliness, confusion, anger, disillusionment, and more. You might face regrets for the past, questions about the future, and difficulties staying in the present.
Learning to honour your emotions is an important part of grieving, because turning away from them can keep you stuck in your pain and create new symptoms. But you must also learn how to be with your grief in a centered and steady way so that you are not overwhelmed by your feelings.
I offer a process that is gentle, holistic, and based in spiritual psychology and philosophy. Grief is sacred work, and must be treated as such. You can connect to a deeper awareness within yourself that offers a wider perspective, intuitive answers, true acceptance, and healing.
Free Zoom Consult
Common Symptoms of Grief
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Physical symptoms such as low energy, fatigue, insomnia, sensitivity to noise or stimulation, changes in appetite, tightness in chest, stomach, or other areas of body
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Intense longing or emotional pain related to the loss
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Feeling a lack of purpose or uncertainty about life moving forward
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Denying or avoiding reminders of the loss
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Being overwhelmed by emotions
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Feeling numb or detached
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Loneliness or isolation
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Sadness, anger, confusion, anxiety, panic, disbelief, disillusionment, shame
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Guilt and thoughts of what you "should have" done differently
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Ruminating around "what if....." scenarios
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Misusing alcohol, medication, or food to cope
Common Causes of Grief
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Death of a loved one - person or pet
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Infertility, stillbirth, miscarriage, abortion
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Major life transition - retirement, empty nester, job loss, divorce, graduation, moving or immigrating
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Loss of identity
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Child or partner's gender transition
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Health changes - new illness, chronic illness, or injury
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Illness of loved one (e.g. dementia, Alzheimer's, cancer, brain injury, etc.)
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Loss of friendship or partner
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Major financial changes
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Ecological loss (Solastalgia)
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Cultural or intergenerational trauma
We all need a safe, non-judgemental, compassionate place to explore the many faces of our grief.
Need support with honouring your feelings, getting out of your mind, and supporting yourself as you heal? Contact me for a free virtual or phone consult to see if my work is a good fit for you.
Free Zoom Consult
"Bringing grief and death out of the shadow is our spiritual responsiblity, our sacred doing. By so doing, we may be able to feel our desire for life once again and remember who we are..."
-Francis Weller