You never completely get over the loss of a loved one. Sometimes, you feel the need to open up to others, but, out of modesty, shyness, fear of making them feel badly, you close yourself off in your solitude. Yet talking and expressing your sorrow can help you get through the stages of grief.
Art therapy
Based on certain principles of psychology and visual arts, this approach promotes self-expression through the creation of images. Everyone can reconnect with their creative process in order to explore and better understand their emotions to face the death of a beloved one. You don't have to be an experienced artist, this formula works for everyone.
Group Art Therapy
The workshops are led by MARIE-ÈVE YERGEAU, art therapist.
Here are the dates and topics of the next workshops:
Tuesday December 6, 2022 : Mais que fait la mer en hiver?
Time : 7pm - 9:30pm
Location : Salon b - 4231 B Boul. Saint-Laurent, Montréal, QC H2W 1Z4, Canada
Price : 25$ including supplies - Free for our client families
To register, complete the application form by clicking here.
About MARIE-ÈVE YERGEAU
Holder of a master's degree in art therapy from the University of Quebec in Abitibi-Témiscamingue and a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Sherbrooke, Marie-Ève Yergeau is a member of the Association des Art-Thérapeutes du Québec and co-founder of the Center d'Art-Thérapie de Sherbrooke.
She is interested in the relationship between the level of personal empowerment and the engagement of the body in the art-therapeutic process and is convinced of the liberating power of art in all its forms. She has developed expertise with various clienteles, particularly with the bereaved. She knows how to establish a bond filled with gentleness, kindness and sensitivity with her clientele.
Art therapy and traumatic grief
We are pleased to inform you that we offer, from September 2022 to April 2023, individual meetings of psychotherapy through the arts with Mrs. Marie-Christine Gauthier.
What is traumatic grief?
It occurs when death strikes suddenly, in an unpredictable or tragic way, during a death against nature, voluntary death or which includes horrifying aspects such as a homicide or an accident. This can lead to complications because the person remains deeply scarred and cannot grieve naturally. It can become pathological if one of the stages of mourning has not gone well.
Art therapy can make it possible to construct or reconstruct "this missed episode" of mourning, offering a space for expression and therapeutic interaction in which the mourning process is relaunched, so that this time, each stage unfolds in its entirety by allowing people to express themselves by means other than speech.
This service is offered only to our customers and needs a reservation. Contact us at [email protected] or 514 277-7778
Art therapy at home
If you are interested in these creativity workshops but don't want to travel to our location, we offer these video workshops for you to express yourself in the comfort of your home or just to try.
Art allows self-expression. Through artistic creation, we tell our story and take care of the past, present and future. Beyond words, images sometimes become meaningful for life and death.
Atelier - L’expression par l’art - Habiter l’absence - 25 novembre 2021
Atelier - L’expression par l’art - Mémoire d’automne - 21 octobre 2021
We've also come up with downloadable activities you can do from home. We're now offering home-based workshops in collaboration with our long-time partner, Jean-Marc Péladeau.
Please allow approximately 15 minutes for each session.
DOWNLOAD WORKSHOP #1 (French)
DOWNLOAD WORKSHOP #2 (French)
DOWNLOAD WORKSHOP #3 (French)
DOWNLOAD WORKSHOP #4 (French)
DOWNLOAD WORKSHOP #5 (French)
In this period of confinement imposed on us, it is important we take the time to absorb the new that will emerge from this historical moment. Without being fully aware of it, we are all in a kind of mourning. When everything returns to normal, we will never be the same again. We will, each in his or her own way, have passed from death to life.
-Jean-Marc Péladeau, art therapist
Support for children
For children, the idea of losing a loved one can be hard to grasp. Under the circumstances, how can they best say goodbye, or show their support for those around them? Here’s where you come in: don't hesitate to discuss what’s happened and encourage them to share their feelings. Maybe making a drawing would express it best, or writing a note to the family.
To help you open a dialogue with your children, we’ve come up with a colouring activity they can do. It’s as simple as choosing a picture they like and letting their creativity run free. Once they’re done, they then take a photo of their picture and share it online with the family.
These days, children are under more stress than usual, so it’s important to know there are a number of specialized services that can help them deal with their grief over the phone, including Deuil-Jeunesse and La Maison des Petits Tournesols.
Monday meetings
Every Monday, join a virtual group meeting, hosted by Michel Trozzo, psychotherapist. Share your questions or your grief experience with others. This is an opportunity to take advantage of group support to get through this difficult time.
Meetings are held :
• on site, from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at 1120, rue Jean-Talon Est (corner Christophe-Colomb), in Montreal
• virtually, from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Free activity
Sign up at [email protected] or for more informations, call 514-277-7778. Seats are limited.
Psychological Consultations
Healing the soul is the work of specialists. MEMORIA offers its clients complimentary psychological counselling (in French) with two specialists of the soul: Diane Légaré, psychologist, and Michel Trozzo, psychotherapist. This support service can be spread over six sessions. Whether it is because you simply want some information or to take full advantage of the service, at your own rate, call us right away. You can then decide yourself how many sessions you wish to attend.
Children and bereavement
In partnership with the French-language service Deuil jeunesse, Alfred Dallaire MEMORIA offers up to four psychological support sessions for grieving children and adolescents, free of charge. These services are also available for adults who wish to prepare their children for — or accompany them through — the grieving process. To make an appointment, call us at 514-277-7778 or send us an email at [email protected].
Documentation centre on death and bereavement
Our documentation centre offers a wide choice of books on grief, death, and the loss of a loved one for sale as gifts or for personal use.
Other Resources
Yoga Memoria
Take a little time out for yourself during the Yoga MEMORIA sessions. For some, these gentle yoga sessions will be an opportunity to slow down and remember a loved one, to heal, to get back to life and themselves. For others, the sessions will be a way to relieve tension in their body, catch their breath, regain their balance. This activity is not currently offered.