Understanding Motherloss

Motherloss is one of the most profound and complex forms of grief. Whether your mother died recently or many years ago, the ache of that absence can shape how you see yourself and the world around you. The impact of your loss may show up as sorrow, anger, confusion, numbness or silence. It may arrive in waves, unexpectedly, long after others assume you’ve “moved on.” The ache can feel like a quiet companion that follows you through life, shaping how you see yourself and how you connect with the world.
Grieving your mother might mean mourning the relationship you had, the one you never had, or the chance to know her at all. It’s a tender and complex journey, one that often goes unseen or unspoken. This motherloss journey is one I know personally.

My Story

 As a therapist, I’m used to holding space for others’ stories. Sharing my own is less familiar, but my experience with mother loss is at the heart of why I do this work. I became a motherless daughter at 16, just a few weeks after my birthday my mom passed away from a cancer she’d been living with since I was 12. I didn’t know I was grieving at the time, I only knew that something deep and quiet had taken root inside me. It would be years before I found the words for it.

By 18, I knew I wanted to work in a helping profession. My own grief journey guided me toward a career in Social Work, and I’ve now spent nearly three decades walking beside others as they navigate pain and healing. Along the way, I discovered that grief doesn’t just live in our minds or hearts, it lives in our bodies, our nervous systems, our relationships.

Over time, I found healing through therapy, mindfulness, spiritual mentorship and most unexpectedly, through retreats. It was in those quiet, shared spaces that I finally felt seen.

That’s why I created the Motherloss Retreat: to offer the same kind of space to others who are ready to gently tend to what still feels tender.

About the Motherloss Retreat

The Motherloss Retreat is co-facilitated by myself, Heidi Sturgeon, and my colleague Salvina (Sal) Castiglione. We’re both therapists, and both motherless daughters. This retreat is an invitation to pause, exhale, and care for the part of you that still longs for your mother.

Set along the peaceful shores of Nova Scotia at Oceanstone Resort & Spa (near Peggy’s Cove), this retreat is for those whose mother loss occurred two or more years ago.

From Friday, October 17 to Monday, October 20, 2025, we’ll gather to share in collective grief-informed sessions, guided writing, meditations, and a meaningful release ceremony. All meals are included, and you’ll also have access to the spa’s beautiful grounds and fitness facilities. Every participant will receive a personal gift bag and be invited to a follow-up group Zoom session after the retreat, to carry the connection forward.

Visit the website HERE to learn more and join a community where all of your story will be supported and cared for.

Grief Therapy for Motherloss

Grief doesn’t follow a timeline. Whether your loss happened recently or during childhood, the pain can still be deep and close to you at all times. You might feel stuck, numb, anxious, or simply exhausted by carrying your grief alone. You might be longing for a space where you don’t have to explain why your loss still hurts.

I offer one-on-one grief therapy for women navigating motherloss, grounded in years of clinical experience, embodied awareness, and my own lived experience. My work is also informed by my training in the Mother Loss Certification Program with Hope Edelman and Claire Bidwell Smith.

Is This Work Right for You?

Therapy for mother loss might be a good fit if:

• You lost your mother and feel overwhelmed, isolated, or unsure how to move forward.
• You were a child or teenager or young adult when your mother died and never had space to grieve.
• You had a complicated relationship with your mother and are still untangling your emotions.
• You feel stuck in your grief, or as if part of you disappeared when she did.
• You’re ready to explore how this loss has shaped your adult life and learn how to care for yourself with more gentleness and trust.

How Therapy Can Help:

• Understand and manage your grief, even years after the loss.
• Explore how your mother’s death affected your relationships, identity, and sense of safety.
• Develop tools to manage emotions like sadness, anger, anxiety, and guilt.
  Find language for what you’re feeling, and compassion for how you’ve been surviving.
• Build emotional resilience and deeper self-trust through reflection, mindfulness, and connection.

If you feel called to begin this work, I invite you to book a free 15-minute consultation with me.