Empathy in Every Step
Walking Beside You Through Grief
Are you seeking compassionate support on your journey through grief, loss, or trauma?
As a grief and trauma therapist, my role is to provide support and guidance to individuals who are experiencing grief due to the loss of a loved one, a significant relationship, or a major life change. I help clients navigate through their emotions and the many challenges associated with grief, such as sadness, guilt, shame, anger, and confusion. In our work together, I prioritize collaboration and empowerment, honouring each individual's unique strengths and experiences. Whether you're mourning the loss of a loved one, processing personal trauma, or confronting life's existential questions, I provide personalized support and guidance to help you find healing, meaning, and hope.
By using a variety of therapeutic techniques, I help clients process their emotions, cope with their loss, and adjust to life without their loved one.
Additionally, I provide a safe and supportive environment for clients to express their feelings, memories, and concerns without judgment. I assist clients to help navigate their grief in a healthy and adaptive way,
while promoting healing and resilience.
Credentials
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Master of Social Work (MSW) from Wilfrid Laurier University
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Registered Social Worker (RSW), Psychotherapist
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Bachelor of Arts with Distinction in Contemporary Studies from Wilfrid Laurier University
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Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP)
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Certificates in:
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Grief Treatment: Evidence-Based Strategies for Helping Clients Make Meaning After Loss
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Post-Traumatic Growth for Loss, Grief and Related Trauma
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​Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT): An Evidence-Based Approach to Treat PTSD and Related
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Suicide Assessment and Intervention
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Complete IFS Therapy Immersion: Integrating the Internal Family Systems (IFS) Model Across Clinical Applications (In-Progress)
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Trauma for Mental Health Professionals
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Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Level I
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Introduction to Clinical Supervision
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Approach
My personal journey through loss and grief has sculpted me into a compassionate guide, uniquely attuned to the challenges life throws our way. With an unwavering commitment to empathy and non-judgment, I offer a sacred space for you to freely unpack your emotions.
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Guided by a trauma-informed and anti-oppressive framework, I am dedicated to cultivating a space where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued. Tailoring my approach to your individual needs, I will work with you to nurture healing and fortify resilience.
With a deep understanding of the complexities of stigmatized grief and a commitment to your healing journey, I provide personalized support to help you navigate through the challenges and find strength in vulnerability.
About
In addition to her clinical work, Andrea is a passionate community change-leader, advocating for systems-level change, social justice reforms, and the destigmatization of mental health issues. Her performance record in both the private and voluntary sectors reflects her dedication to providing excellence in social service leadership.
As a leader, Andrea most recently served as Executive Director at the Centre for Grief & Healing, where she effectively identified and responded to the emergent needs of individuals and families experiencing traumatic loss during the COVID-19 pandemic. Here, she provided leading-edge, evidence-based-research training to staff and volunteers, ensuring the delivery of top-notch services. Andrea's commitment to strong governance, fiduciary responsibility, program excellence, financial transparency, and management accountability is unwavering.
Andrea has contributed to various round tables, including the Peel Situation Table, the Region of Peel COVID-19 Response Table, and the Steering Committee for National Bereavement Day. Her extensive experience working with diverse populations, including Children, Youth, Women, Seniors, Newcomers, LGBTQ+, and Racialized communities, underscores her dedication to accessibility and inclusion in mental health supports, programming, and resources.
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In recognition of her dedication to excellence, Andrea was awarded the Medal of Academic Excellence from the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies at Wilfried Laurier University.
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From Grief to Growth
As a social worker, my passion lies in helping individuals navigate the complex terrain of stigmatized grief and traumatic bereavement. In a society where grief is often misunderstood or stigmatized, I believe it's essential to provide compassionate support and understanding to those who are struggling with loss.
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Your pain is valid, and you deserve to be treated with dignity and respect, regardless of your circumstances. I'm here to provide you with a safe space for expression, where you can grieve and heal without fear of judgment or shame. I understand that the social and psychological implications of stigmatized grief and traumatic bereavement can be overwhelming. The feelings of isolation, shame, and alienation you may be experiencing can make the grieving process even more challenging. Please know that you are not alone. I'm here to offer you trauma-informed support, tailored to your unique needs, helping you transform your grief into growth and your pain into purpose. You don't have to walk this road alone.
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Some of the types of loss Therapy Bee can help with:
Anticipatory grief is the experience of grieving and mourning the impending loss of a loved one before it actually occurs. Anticipatory grief can be a complex and challenging emotional journey. At the same time, anticipatory grief can also provide opportunities for connection, reflection, and closure. It may prompt important conversations with your loved ones, allowing you to express your feelings, share memories, and say goodbye in meaningful ways.
Ambiguous loss refers to a type of loss that lacks clear resolution or closure, leaving individuals grappling with uncertainty and conflicting emotions. Unlike traditional forms of loss, such as death or divorce, where the absence of a loved one is clearly defined, ambiguous loss occurs when the presence of the person is physically absent but psychologically or emotionally present, or when the person is physically present but psychologically or emotionally absent.
Disenfranchised grief refers to a type of grief that is not openly acknowledged or socially validated, leaving individuals feeling marginalized or unsupported in their mourning process. This type of grief often occurs when the loss is not considered socially acceptable or when the relationship to the deceased is not recognized or valued by society. Examples of disenfranchised grief include the death of an ex-spouse, or the loss of a non-traditional relationship.
Traumatic bereavement occurs when an individual experiences the sudden, unexpected, or violent death of a loved one, resulting in intense emotional distress and psychological trauma. Unlike more traditional forms of grief, traumatic bereavement is characterized by the additional layer of trauma associated with the circumstances surrounding the death. Examples of traumatic bereavement include deaths due to accidents, homicides, suicides, natural disasters, or acts of terrorism.
Prolonged grief, also known as complicated grief or persistent complex bereavement disorder, is a form of grief characterized by an extended duration and intensity of symptoms beyond what is typically considered normal in the grieving process. Individuals experiencing prolonged grief may continue to experience intense feelings of sadness, longing, and yearning for the deceased for an extended period, often lasting six months or longer.
Cumulative grief refers to the experience of enduring multiple losses within a relatively short period of time. Unlike grieving a single loss, cumulative grief compounds the emotional burden as individuals navigate through successive losses without sufficient time to fully process and recover from each one. Whether it involves the loss of multiple loved ones, the dissolution of significant relationships, or experiencing various life-altering events, cumulative grief can overwhelm individuals.