Grief Therapists in Toronto, ON

Grief. It's a word heavy with emotion that often conjures images of loss, sadness, and heartache. But grief is so much more than that. It's a rollercoaster of emotions that is inevitable at some point in life. When we think of grief, we often think of the loss of a loved one. While undoubtedly a significant kind of it, grief can take many forms. It can be the witnessing of another's pain, loss of a job, a relationship, a dream unrealized. It can be the end of an era, the closing of a chapter, the diagnosis of life-altering illness, and the shattering of expectations. No matter its form, grief can often feel deeply isolating.

We enter psychotherapy for a wide variety of reasons: The death or loss of a loved one, illness, job loss, divorce, addiction, etc., but all of us seek help because we are trying to find a better way to deal with the reality we are facing. My job as a psychotherapist is to help you talk about your emotions and reactions in a safe environment, figure out where these emotions and reactions are coming from, observe whether your reactions produce the desired outcomes and, discover new ways to react, if that would produce more desirable outcomes

I am a clinical and health psychologist with experience in a wide range of presenting concerns, including depression, anxiety, relationship concerns, and difficulty coping with stress. I have a particular focus on the intersection of physical and mental health, and support those dealing with chronic or life-threatening illness and grief, as well as those impacted by mood changes and difficulty coping around the time of pregnancy and early parenting. I aim to be a warm, dynamic, and engaging therapist, and use an integrative approach which draws on cognitive behavioural (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), existential, and relational approaches.

I provide Tele-Virtual services using a secure telephone and password-protected platform. Please email me at: soheila@pashang.ca for details. I am a registered Social Worker with extensive experience working with individuals, families, and groups. I joined academia in 2007 to teach social work and counseling-related courses, after working for over 20 years within multifaceted organizations since 1990. I accept referrals from private insurance companies.

Navigating life's challenges can be a profound journey, marked by both joys and sorrows that may weigh heavily on your shoulders. It's okay to feel adrift, bewildered, hesitant, exhausted, or even isolated. Your feelings are valid and it creates your own unique experience of life, so much so that it might seem like no one can truly understand. In our collaborative journey, I aim to cultivate a haven where authenticity is not only encouraged, but celebrated. I am committed to accompanying you through every stage of your healing expedition, helping you construct a life rich with meaning and worth cherishing.

Greetings! I am a Muslim, queer-allied, trauma focused therapist. No matter where you are in your journey, I welcome you to explore, reflect on, and create a compassionate relationship with your inner world. I draw primarily from a dialectical behavioral and attachment framework, as well as parts work and psychodynamics. These frameworks are useful for anyone grappling with trauma, depression/anxiety, ADHD, grief, relationship challenges, and others. My goal is to empower clients to build internal capacity and strengthen their relationship with their internal landscape to better cope with the realities of the world.

At times life can take unexpected turns and twists that can leave you feeling not quite like yourself; perhaps feeling unsettled, overwhelmed, or lost. With over 20 years of experience, I address issues involving complex challenges and concerns related to life transitions, fertility/pregnancy, interrupted pregnancy and infant loss, the dying/death process, mental health concerns, and navigating issues related to relationships of importance.

In your sessions, we will explore what you bring with curiosity and openness. Whether you are struggling in your relationships, experiencing loss or a big life change, or feeling overwhelmed and stressed, together we can explore what's happening, consider what makes sense for you, and make space to hold the feelings that are surfacing. Life is full of situations that can be difficult to navigate alone. Together, we can create a space to slow down, reflect, and better understand who you are and how you want to be in the world so that you can live a more connected and fulfilled life.

I am Shawna - a passionate and innovative therapist who believes strong mental health is rooted in resilience and connection. Having worked exclusively with young cancer patients and their families over the past decade helped me realize that emotional pain and resilience are not mutually exclusive experiences - they live together. Through the process of recognizing and experiencing our deepest pain, fear and longing we can become better versions of ourselves. My style is empathic, intuitive, and interactive, and I uncover and guide my clients to use their untapped strengths, resilience, and potential for connection in their lives.

Accepting New Clients. When you find yourself going through a life transition, feeling anxious or depressed, or grieving a loss, you might feel confused and overwhelmed. Often our thoughts and feelings get tangled with expectations leaving us unsure about how to move forward in our lives. Together we will explore what is working for you and what parts of your self are being challenged. By developing greater self-awareness and practicing self-acceptance, you will begin to discover new ways to grow and strengthen as a person. When you know yourself better you can begin to intercept unhealthy patterns of living as they emerge.

Are you experiencing anxiety or panic? Do you feel depressed and overwhelmed with sadness? Are you having relationship issues, or has an important relationship just ended? I can help with that. I have the tools you need that can help you to feel better so you can take your life back. I have been where you are, and I want to help you so you don’t have to suffer anymore. It can feel like a struggle to get out of bed, to interact with others, or to go to school or work. It can be hard to take that first step. In your complimentary phone session, you will be heard, and greeted with gentle compassion, non-judgement, comfort and empathy.

Sometimes we are looking for change, figuring out our next step, or getting stuck and not living our lives fully. There could be moments of deep emotional pain and struggle when we feel alone and vulnerable, facing isolation, grief, loss or insecurities in important relationships. Not always we see clearly how to tackle those and we want to have someone to check with, be heard and seen, or get ideas for new directions. Learning to face inevitable life challenges, upsets, and crises of existence with confidence is what therapy is all about.

As a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), I honour the individuality of each person's journey towards wellbeing. My commitment lies in offering empathetic and compassionate support through life's challenges.

I am a relational psychotherapist and trauma practitioner. I completed my Psychotherapy training at the Gestalt Institute of Toronto, 3-year Somatic Experiencing training for trauma resolution (Montreal), and I hold a MA in Women's and Gender Studies (Carleton University, Ottawa). I have worked deeply with people struggling with a range of emotions/experiences including grief, self-harm, suicidal ideation, anger, childhood abuse and psychosocial trauma (including war), post-immigration experiences, relationship difficulties and self-actualization challenges.

Therapy can be a daunting thing to consider, especially when dealing with grief. Grief can be overwhelming and evoke feelings of anxiety, depression, hopelessness, and confusion. Grief changes us in an instant, sneaking in and building a home in facets of our lives that we least expect. Grief is not solely about death; it encompasses any loss we experience. If you feel you're not "grieving properly," find the grief journey too overwhelming, or believe that having someone accompany you on this path would be beneficial, working with me may be one way to address the internal chaos felt after a loss.

Whatever may have motivated you to begin your journey in seeking support, I'm so glad you have taken this courageous first step. Whether you have recently experienced a loss or traumatic event, or are feeling overwhelmed, stressed, anxious, and not sure how to manage, counselling is a powerful tool to help you cope and thrive. My approach in counselling is warm and non-judgemental. I help my clients to realize the strengths within themselves, while helping them to tap into their inner resources, build resiliency, and enhance their "tool-box" of coping skills.

Accepting new clients! Sometimes life can feel overwhelming with no end in sight, but it doesn’t have to! If you’re struggling to cope with life’s challenges, I can help you navigate these feelings and offer a path forward. I am committed to helping you learn how to build fulfilling relationships with yourself and others. Our work together will focus on honouring the adaptive defences that have gotten you this far and exploring new skills to live a burden free life. I support individuals experiencing depression, anxiety, eating disorders and body dysmorphia, mood disorders, relationship and family issues and grief and loss.

Are you struggling with anxiety, hypersensitivity, a sense of disconnection or lack of belonging? It's possible you've endured a challenging upbringing and are contending with developmental trauma. These feelings can be incredibly distressing, but it's important to know that you're not alone. It's common to carry burdens for a long time without finding relief, especially when trying to navigate them alone. Embracing your true self is a collective journey; seeking guidance and support is essential. It's difficult to identify blind spots on our own. With the right assistance, there's a path towards feeling whole again.

Experiencing loss in life is 100% going to happen. This could be a death, loss of a relationship, a friendship, a pet. Sometimes you can see it coming and wonder if there is any way to stop it. Other times you're blindsided. Now your world feels unstable or $h!t is upside down. Navigating or preparing for loss is isolating & may make you feel and do all sorts of confusing things. You may be trying to emerge from this with a deeper understanding of yourself, improve your relationships, find confidence in your direction in life, restore a sense of safety/stability in the world or just cope with what is happening. Either way, I'm here.