Supporting you through life’s transitions with compassion and understanding.
Welcome to Heartwood Guidance!
Life can be a complex journey, especially when it comes to the big topics of dying, loss, and personal growth. Whether you need support at the end of life, wish to work on your advance care planning, are seeking to process grief, or want to enhance your life and relationships, I’m here to walk alongside you with genuine support and understanding.
My Role as an End-of-Life Doula
As an end-of-life doula, I provide compassionate support for individuals facing the end of life and assist those who want to prepare for the future - regardless of where you are on that journey. Here’s how I can help:
Advance Care Planning
It’s crucial to start planning early, and I help individuals create and update their advance care plans. This process clarifies your healthcare wishes and end-of-life preferences while also providing an opportunity to explore and articulate your legacy. Together, we’ll discuss what matters most to you, ensuring that your values and wishes are honoured when the time comes.Personalized Support
For those facing terminal illness or advanced age, I offer emotional, spiritual, and practical support. I understand that this can be a deeply emotional time, and I’m here to provide a listening ear and a comforting presence. We can work together to articulate your end-of-life wishes, create a peaceful environment that reflects your personality, and ensure that your journey feels as dignified and meaningful as possible.Family Guidance
The dying process affects families deeply. I provide support to families by facilitating important conversations and helping them navigate the emotional landscape of saying goodbye. My goal is to create a safe space where family members can express their feelings, share memories, and support one another.After-Death Assistance
Following the passing of a loved one, I continue to support families with practical matters and emotional guidance. This can include helping with funeral arrangements and helping them navigate the complexities of the grieving process.
My Role as a Grief Coach
Grief is a deeply personal journey, and I’m here to help you navigate it with compassion and understanding. Here’s what I provide:
Emotional Support
I create a safe space for you to express your grief openly and honestly. Together, we’ll explore your feelings, memories, and the complexities of loss. I encourage you to share your stories and emotions, allowing for healing and understanding. My goal is to help you feel seen and heard during this challenging time, so you can begin to process your grief in a healthy way.Navigating Grief & Coping Strategies
Everyone grieves differently, and that is perfectly okay. Grief comes with a wide range of feelings and emotions, and all of these feelings are valid during the grieving process. Together, we will focus on finding practical tools that work for you to help you cope with your grief. This may include mindfulness practices, journaling exercises, creating art, and finding a physical outlet that encourages heeling and self-discovery. You don’t have to go through this alone - let’s work together to find the comfort and strength you need during this challenging time.Legacy Work
Honouring your loved ones is an important part of the healing process. I assist individuals in finding meaningful ways to celebrate and remember those who have passed, whether through storytelling, creating rituals, or sharing memories. Together, we can explore how to keep their memory alive in a way that feels authentic and comforting to you.
My Role as a Life Coach
In addition to my work as a doula and grief coach, I am also a certified life coach. My coaching services focus on empowering individuals to enhance their lives and achieve their personal goals through:
Goal Setting and Personal Growth
Together, we’ll identify your goals and aspirations, whether they’re related to career, relationships, or personal fulfillment. I’ll help you create actionable plans to achieve these goals, encouraging you to explore your strengths and values, fostering self-awareness and confidence as you pursue your dreams.Overcoming Obstacles
Life can present challenges that may feel daunting, but I’m here to help you navigate those hurdles. Together we’ll identify the obstacles you’re facing and develop strategies to overcome them. I believe that you have the strength to move forward, and I’ll support you you while providing encouragement and practical tools to help you make progress.Boundaries and Communication
Setting healthy boundaries and improving communication skills can be transformative for your relationships. I work with you to identify areas where boundaries may be needed and help you communicate your needs effectively. By fostering healthier relationships in your personal and professional life, you’ll create a more balanced and fulfilling environment.Support for the LGBTQ+ Community and Diverse Relationship Models
I provide an inclusive space for LGBTQ+ individuals and support various relationship structures. I also offer relationship coaching to help you cultivate fulfilling connections and navigate the unique dynamics within your relationships. My goal is to help you feel empowered in your identity and relationships, creating a life that reflects who you truly are.
Workshops and Support Groups
In addition to my one-on-one services, I am passionate about educating individuals and communities on important topics such as grief, end-of-life planning, boundaries, communication, and more. I believe that knowledge empowers us to navigate these complex experiences with confidence and compassion. I facilitate engaging workshops and support groups that create welcoming and safe spaces for discussion, reflection, and healing. These gatherings provide a wonderful opportunity for participants to connect with others who share similar experiences, fostering a sense of community and understanding. In our workshops, we delve into valuable insights and practical tools that help participants better understand and process their emotions.
If you are part of an organization or group interested in collaborating with me and hosting a workshop or support group, please feel free to reach out to me. We can discuss how I can facilitate a session tailored to your needs.
Why Choose Heartwood Guidance?
At Heartwood Guidance, I believe in the transformative power of compassion, empathy, and understanding. My multifaceted approach allows me to support you through various stages of life - whether you’re preparing for the future, navigating end-of-life, processing grief, or pursuing personal development. I am deeply committed to creating a safe and nurturing environment where you can openly explore your feelings and experiences.
What sets Heartwood Guidance apart is my genuine passion for helping you find your path. I am here to listen, support, and walk alongside you as you face end-of-life, grief, challenges, and transitions. Together we can cultivate a sense of hope and resilience, allowing you to embrace these important moments with dignity and love.
If you or someone you know is looking for someone in end-of-life, grieving, or personal development, I invite you to reach out. Let’s connect and create a path toward healing, understanding, and growth during life’s most significant moments.
What people are saying:
“My time with Deirdre was a wonderful experience. She listened and asked questions that helped me uncover my actual goals and helped brainstorm ways to achieve them.
The added level of accountability that came from reporting back each session helped motivate me and kept me focused, leading to immediate success.
She is very personable, approachable, and created a safe space to be vulnerable. I highly recommend Deirdre as a life coach.”
-Jamie, Waterloo
“ I cannot speak highly enough of Deirdre and would definitely recommend her as a life coach! I wasn’t sure what to expect, but Deirdre made me feel totally comfortable and was so great at helping me talk through some issues I was having. I really appreciated her flexibility and general demeanour. If you are interested in life coaching, definitely check her out!
-Amanda Lee
Try a free discovery call and see if it’s right for you.
There’s no commitment, pressure, or obligation.