what to expect
Approach
Mourning Breaks is a place to find solace and support for all that you are grieving. A place for you to feel–and express all that you feel–without judgment or expectation. A place to safely explore the meaning and impact of your losses, and to find ways to integrate these losses into your world, gently, and at your own pace.
Grief itself is not something to be pathologized at Mourning Breaks. We view grief as a natural human experience, an expected outcome of having experienced the loss of someone or something we hold dear to us.
Much of the suffering we see stems from the broad societal lack of understanding about the realities of grief, and the widespread intolerance for the pain that it brings. When grief is given a voice, a gentle space to “be” without judgment or expectation, there is room for understanding, for possibility, for ease.
There are no quick fixes, roadmaps, or step-by-step directions to be found here. There are no “stages” of grief for you to get through. Our aim is never to help you “get over,” or otherwise dismiss or push away what has happened to you. Our approach is to invite your grief into the room, to get to know it, to gently discover what it (and you) needs at this moment. We aren’t here to “heal” your grief…your grief IS the healing.
Your grief is as individual as you are. It requires your kind attention, compassion, patience and respect if you are to find ways to process, integrate and move forward in your life after such devastation.
Our approach is to walk alongside you with deep respect for all you've been through. To companion and support you as you navigate the landscape of your grief. We’re here to help you learn about and normalize the experiences and impacts of loss, to support you as you explore new ways to manage the symptoms and stressors that exist in grief, and to guide you in nurturing a continuing connection and bond to your person as you adjust to a world without them. We don't leave our loved ones behind, we carry them forward with us.
Theoretically, I draw from an eclectic mix of empirical research and approaches in the fields of thanatology, social work, and psychology. My work is strongly informed by humanist and narrative approaches, mindfulness and self-compassion, family systems and attachment theory, and a strong, proven belief that each of us can learn to trust that we inherently know what we need in grief. When we approach our grief with an honest and gentle curiosity, we gain knowledge about ourselves, about our needs, and we're then able to deepen our ability to mourn our losses with patience, trust, and compassion for all we've been through.
As a Registered Social Worker (RSW), I approach my work with an understanding that you are the expert in your own life. I strive to get to know you, and all that’s important to you. I seek to understand your life experiences, your perspectives, your strengths, and your own personal goals when seeking support. If, during the course of our time together, additional issues arise that might benefit from deeper psychotherapeutic support, we will discuss this collaboratively to determine whether a referral to a trusted colleague specializing in a particular area of psychotherapy might be of value to you. My focus is always on you, and what is best for you, every step of the way.
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HOW DO I KNOW IF YOU ARE THE RIGHT PERSON TO SUPPORT MY CIRCUMSTANCES?
I offer a free 30-minute telephone or video call consultation to discuss your personal situation and to provide you with the opportunity to ask any questions you might have before making a decision.
WHAT IF I AM SICK OR NEED TO CANCEL A SCHEDULED APPOINTMENT?
As with most professional support services, we require a minimum of 24 hours notice to cancel or reschedule an appointment. If cancelled with less than 24 hours notice, a $40 cancellation fee will apply. If you do not provide notice of cancellation (for example you don't show up for your scheduled appointment and you didn't provide notice of cancellation), the full session fee will be applied to your account.
We understand that there are times when there are extenuating circumstances, or a sudden unexpected emergency situation may arise - please discuss with us as soon as possible.
If you are feeling unwell, and do not wish to miss a scheduled in-person appointment, your appointment can be changed to an online video, or telephone call. Please contact us as soon as possible to make alternate arrangements.
Location
