By: Amanda Young
Grief is the physical, emotional, somatic, cognitive and spiritual response to actual or threatened loss of a person, thing or place to which we are emotionally attached. We grieve because we are biologically willed to attach. (John Bowlby, Father of Attachment Theory)
WE MUST ACKNOWLEDGE OUR FEELINGS, THOUGHTS AND BEHAVIORS COME TO TERMS WITH OUR FEELINGS EXPRESS HOW WE FEEL OVER COME OUR LOSS – ADAPT TO CHANGE -- WE MUST ACKNOWLEDGE THAT EVERYONE GRIEVES DIFFERENTLY AND WE NEVER STOP GRIEVING. WE CAN ONLY EASE PAIN WITH TIME
Experience the pain of the loss
Remembering the person or loss
Adult Grief Support Program, East Toronto A self-support group sponsored by the Toronto East General Hospital and area funeral directors open to all residents of Toronto. Telephone: ∕ Adult Grief Support Program, West Toronto A self-support group sponsored by the St. Joseph Health Centre and area funeral directors open to all residents of Toronto. Telephone: Bereavement Support Group Providing support to those who have lost a loved one to cancer. Wellspring Westerkirk House at Sunnybrook 2075 Bayview Avenue, Toronto ON M4N 3M5 Telephone: Fax: Web:
The Canadian Centre for Bereavement Education and Grief Counselling Educates professionals who are working with the dying and the bereaved as well as providing counselling services and resources for those who grieve. 80 Carlton St., Suite 10, Toronto, ON M4B 1L6 Telephone: Seasons Centre for Grieving Children To provide support in a non-judgmental and non-discriminatory environment for any children, teens and their families experiencing the emotional effects of the death of a loved one. 38 McDonald Street, Barrie, ON L4M 1P1 Telephone: KIDS (5437) Fax: LOVE (5683) Web:
ART THERAPY: CREATING ART AND REFLECTING ON THE PRODUCT THEY HAVE CREATED IT CAN SHOW THE EMOTIONS, PLUS BE ABLE TO COPE WITH THE SYMPTOMS, STRESS AND ANY ANGER. MUSIC THERAPY: THROUGH MUSIC THE CHILD CAN RELATE TO HOW THEY FEEL AND BE ABLE TO COPE WITH THE LOSS BY LISTENING TO MUSIC, WRITING LYRICS, MUSIC AND IMAGERY OR MUSIC PERFORMANCE.
COUNSELLING ALLOWS A PERSON TO “MOVE ON”, ACCEPT AND ADJUST TO THEIR NEW LIFE. HELPS PEOPLE COPE MORE EFFECTIVELY WITH THE DEATH. HOW IT HELPS? OFFERS AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE MOURNING PROCESS; WHAT THEY CAN DO AND THE PROCESS. EXPLORE IDEAS THAT COULD POTENTIALLY PREVENT YOU FROM MOVE ON; SEEING OTHER SUGGESTIONS AND OTHER MOTIVATION TO MOVE ON FROM THE SITUATION
INTERPERSONAL THERAPY FOCUSES ON THE PAST AND PRESENT SOCIAL ROLES AND INTERPERSONAL INTERACTIONS HOW IT HELPS? IT REDUCES SYMPTOMATIC STRESS RESOLVE THE SOCIAL AND INTERPERSONAL PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH ONE SET AND CONTINUATION OF CURRENT SYMPTOMS
COGNITIVE-BEHAVIOUR THERAPY HELPS INDIVIDUALS UNDERSTAND THE THOUGHT AND FEELINGS THAT INFLUENCE BEHAVIOUR HOW IT HELPS? PEOPLE LEARN TO IDENTIFY AND CHANGE DESTRUCTIVE OR DISTURBING THOUGH PATTERN THAT HAVE A NEGATIVE INFLUENCE ON THEIR BEHAVIOUR