When Loss Feels Too Big to Carry Alone
Grief doesn't follow a schedule. Some days it's quiet in the background. Other days it shows up out of nowhere, at the grocery store, in the middle of a meeting, at 3am for no clear reason.
Maybe someone told you "time heals" and you're wondering why it hasn't yet. Maybe people around you have moved on, or seem to expect you to, and you feel pressure to be further along than you are.
There's no timeline you're supposed to be on. Grief counselling in Trenton with Marc Hoogstad at Acacia Counselling gives you a place to talk about the loss, whatever shape it takes, without being rushed through it.
What Grief Counselling Actually Looks Like
Grief counselling isn't a diagnosis or a fix. It's a conversation, one you set the pace for.
The loss might be the death of someone close to you. It might be the end of a relationship, a diagnosis that changed your life, or the loss of the future you expected to have. All of it counts.
People come to grief counselling for things like:
- Loss of a spouse, parent, child, or close friend
- Sudden or anticipated loss (a long illness, a caregiving role that's ended)
- Grief that feels stuck, or that other people don't seem to understand
- Anniversaries and holidays that bring the loss back to the surface
- Wanting language for what you're feeling, so it doesn't feel so isolating
Whatever brought you here, the first session is about your story, not a checklist.
A Conversational, Client-Led Approach
Marc has spent over 20 years supporting people through loss, including palliative and bereavement care, and he brings that experience into every session without ever making it feel clinical.
There's no jargon, no letters, and no pressure to explain yourself perfectly. The first session is mostly about sharing your story. From there, the pace and direction are shaped around what you actually need, not a set program.
Sessions are available in person at Acacia Counselling in Trenton, or online across Quinte West, Belleville, Brighton, and Frankford, with evening availability Monday through Thursday.
What Working Together Looks Like
Step 1: Reach Out
Step 2: Share Your Story
Step 3: Find Your Pace Forward
What Can Shift Over Time
Grief counselling isn't about "getting over" a loss. It's about finding a way to carry it that doesn't take over everything else.
- Language for the loss, so it feels less overwhelming to talk about
- Permission to grieve at your own pace, without a deadline
- Tools for hard days, anniversaries, holidays, and unexpected reminders
- Connection instead of isolation, a steady place to bring what you're feeling
- Clarity about carrying the loss forward, rather than leaving it behind
You can read more about how Acacia Counselling supports individuals through change on the individual counselling page.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Grief looks different for everyone, and it doesn't move in a straight line. Some weeks feel manageable, others don't. Part of the work is finding what actually helps you, not fitting into a stage model.
Whenever feels right. Some people reach out right away, others wait months or longer. There's no wrong time to start, and no expiry date on needing support.
Yes. Sessions are available online across Quinte West, Belleville, Brighton, and Frankford, as well as in person in Trenton. Many clients find online sessions just as effective, especially when getting out of the house feels like a lot.
Only if you want it to be. Marc is comfortable talking about faith and loss for clients who want that lens, and just as comfortable if you'd rather not bring it in at all. The approach follows you, not the other way around.
