Living With Grief and Loss
Grief can touch every part of life.
Many people in Burlington describe feeling waves of sadness, emptiness, anger, or confusion after a loss, sometimes long after others expect things to feel easier. You might notice your energy is lower, your emotions feel unpredictable, or that reminders bring up strong reactions when you least expect them.
Grief does not follow a straight line, and there is no right way to experience it. Loss can change how you see yourself, your relationships, and the future. Therapy can offer a supportive place to make sense of these changes and to grieve in a way that honours your experience.
What Grief and Loss Actually Are
Grief is a natural response to loss. This can include the death of a loved one, the end of a relationship, changes in health, loss of identity, or shifts in life roles. Loss is not always visible to others, but it can still have a deep emotional impact.
Grief often involves a mix of emotions that can shift from day to day. Therapy focuses on supporting you through this process, rather than trying to rush it or fix it.
Common Signs and Experiences
-
Persistent sadness or longing
-
Emotional numbness or feeling disconnected
-
Fatigue or low energy
-
Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
-
Changes in sleep or appetite
-
Feeling stuck or unsure how to move forward
-
Strong reactions to reminders or anniversaries
-
Withdrawing from others
Why This Happens
Nervous system patterns
Loss can disrupt a sense of safety and predictability, leading the nervous system to feel unsettled. This can show up as emotional intensity, exhaustion, or difficulty relaxing.
Emotional contributors
Grief often includes emotions such as sadness, anger, guilt, relief, or regret. These feelings can coexist and shift over time, sometimes feeling confusing or overwhelming.
Cognitive patterns
Thoughts may circle around what was lost, what could have been different, or fears about the future. These patterns are a natural part of processing loss.
Environmental stressors
Life often continues during grief, with work, caregiving, and responsibilities adding pressure. A lack of understanding or support can make grief feel more isolating.
Neurodivergence (when relevant)
Neurodivergent individuals may experience grief differently or find social expectations around grieving difficult to navigate.
Trauma history (when relevant)
Past losses or unresolved grief can influence how current losses are experienced, sometimes intensifying emotional responses.
How Grief and Loss Affect Daily Life
Grief can affect focus, motivation, and emotional balance. Relationships may feel strained when others do not know how to support you or expect you to move on. Daily tasks can feel heavier, and joy may feel distant or complicated.
Over time, unprocessed grief can lead to withdrawal, anxiety, or low mood. Therapy can help you process loss in a way that supports healing and integration, rather than avoidance.
How Therapy Helps
Therapy provides a steady, compassionate space to explore grief and loss at your own pace. At Tiny Therapy Collective, care is grounded in evidence-based approaches that are adapted to your needs, values, and lived experience.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
CBT can support understanding how grief-related thoughts influence emotions and behaviour, helping reduce self-blame and unhelpful beliefs.
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
DBT offers tools for emotional regulation and coping with intense feelings that can arise during grief.
Mindfulness-based strategies
Mindfulness supports awareness of emotions and bodily responses without judgment, helping you stay present with your experience.
Behavioural activation
Behavioural activation supports gradual re-engagement with meaningful activities, even when motivation feels low.
Strengths-based and trauma-informed approaches
Therapy at TTC honours your relationship to what was lost and recognizes your resilience. We focus on safety, choice, and respect as you find your own way forward.
Everyday Strategies You Can Try
-
Allow space for emotions without judging them
-
Create gentle routines to support rest and nourishment
-
Mark anniversaries or important dates in meaningful ways
-
Reach out to supportive people, even briefly
-
Spend time in calming environments around Burlington
-
Use grounding exercises during moments of emotional intensity
These strategies can offer support alongside therapy.
When to Consider Therapy
Therapy may be helpful if:
-
Grief feels overwhelming or persistent
-
You feel stuck or unable to move forward
-
Emotions feel unpredictable or intense
-
Loss is affecting work, relationships, or health
-
You feel isolated in your grief
-
You want support processing loss with care
You do not need to grieve alone or on a timeline set by others.
Therapists in Burlington Who Can Help
Tiny Therapy Collective offers in-person therapy in Burlington with therapists who bring a warm, compassionate, and trauma-informed approach to care. Our team supports individuals navigating grief, loss, life transitions, and emotional healing.
Each therapist brings their own areas of focus and therapeutic style. We will work with you to help match you with a therapist in Burlington who feels like a good fit for your needs and goals.
Learn more about our Burlington therapists and explore who may be the right fit for you.
Ready to Get Started?
If grief or loss has been affecting your well-being, support is available.
You can book a free 15-minute consultation to explore whether therapy feels like a good fit.
You do not need to have everything figured out before reaching out.
