“When grief is part of your story, it needs to be held to be healed. We cannot heal what has not been processed, and it takes time to move through the pain of loss, even dying”
I've been where you are.
Traumatic Grief. I experienced it all, the profound sadness of loss compounded by the overwhelming, shocking nature of a death that triggered intense post-traumatic stress alongside normal grief. Suicide loss silenced my grief and led to disrupted mourning like disbelief, intrusive memories often resembling PTSD because I was confronted with death several times as a fulltime Carer for my son through his declining health.
My journey ignited a passion to support others walking the path of loss. I am driven to empower others who are facing death and grief, helping them find their voice and share their stories to foster healing and connection!
Dying & Grief teaches us the power of our love, and our resilience.
Welcome, I am so glad you are here, I believe you were not guided by chance.
You may have reached a threshold where you realize there is no escape from this pain; the only way out is through. Finding yourself standing at a crossroads, trying to find meaning in the wreckage of what your life once was, what I know is … you must brave the emotional storm.
My own turning point came when I chose to stop running, stand my ground and choose life after loss. I decided to look truth in the eye—facing every fear, sorrow and loss dead-on!
I share my story to ignite that same spark in you: the courage to choose life even when facing your own mortality, to rise through adversity, and to find your way back from the dark night of the soul.
Just as the Phoenix dies in a show of flames to purify its essence, we are reminded that destruction often paves the way for a more powerful beginning. Within you lies an eternal 'Divine Spark' that survives every trial. No matter how many times life sets you back, you have the internal fire and means to heal and rise. You are not just surviving; you are rebirthing from the ashes into a stronger, more beautiful life!
The Dark Night of The Soul…
October 14, 2017.
The death of my son Brett Cameron age 24, dying by suicide.
A day in my life that completely changed me forever, it was the day not only did my son die, but I too, died a death. The death of the egoic self!
The trauma of this loss crushed me, stripping away all sense of purpose. I was left with nothing but a void filled with sorrow and devastation. My entire reality–everything I believed to be true about life– was wiped out in an instant. But in losing everything the ‘me’ I thought I was, was the death of my illusory self that allowed for a completely new understanding of life to emerge from the wreckage– becoming a gift of new life, a soul rebirth.
My experience in the Dark Night of the Soul became the catalyst for my deepest self-inquiry. Forced to confront my existence and purpose, leading to a profound uncovering of my true nature as a soul. The necessary starting point for this transformation was the death of the illusory self—the conceptual, ego-driven identity we build in this life. It was the collapse of a non-realistic narrative that had defined all my perceived meaning until that moment.
I believe the sheer enormity of this path is incomprehensible to those who have not walked it. To lose a child is a devastating weight, but to add the trauma and complexity of suicide creates a heartache that feels truly insurmountable.
In the aftermath, I was cast into a bleak nonexistence—a total dissociation from my soul and the life I had built. My world disintegrated into ashes that day, leaving behind only a single, tiny ember. Yet, that flickering spark was my Divine Spark, the eternal flame of life that kept my soul tethered to this world when all else was gone.
Some days, I struggled to find any reason to keep going. The world felt empty of meaning, saved only by the fact that my other son was still here, walking his own painful path of losing a brother. Because I was so unprepared for a death this sudden, there were moments I didn’t think I would make it through. My son became my strength; he was the hope that compelled me to keep going, to face the grief with courage and to eventually find a way to keep living.
Suicide loss leaves you drifting in a sea of confusion, haunted by the relentless questions of why? I found myself lost in a tide of insurmountable emotions, searching for answers to the endless questions we ask ourselves in an attempt to find reason. Yet, these unanswered questions only deepened my anguish, leaving me disoriented as I navigated the heavy, uncharted waters of unresolved grief trauma.
Tragedy may feel permanent, but time has a way of softening the sharpest edges of grief. Our emotions serve as the fuel for our evolution; they allow us to process our experiences and reshape them into a source of strength. We need that emotional depth to bridge the gap between who we were and, the life-giving person we are becoming.
And so….
This became my choice point moment to Live Life with new meaning, with full presence, with mindfulness and with a WHOLE Heart!
At that moment, I chose to stand in the arena. Rather than running from the struggle, I turned to face my truth head-on. I committed to reclaiming my life through presence and mindfulness, vowing to rise above the heartache. Navigating this 'Dark Night of the Soul' was my greatest challenge, yet I knew that healing from grief trauma meant walking straight through the fire. By confronting my grief and fighting for a new narrative, ultimately discovering the essence of who I truly Am.
To practice vulnerability is to heal deeply, when we are vulnerable, we put all of our core wounds into huge exposure. It really is the biggest emotional risk we can take as humans yet, it is where we can have the most profound spiritual awakening.
This was the start of my awakening. I came to understand that our greatest struggles hold the potential for profound transformation, impacting both our lives and the world around us. Adversity becomes a choice point: an invitation to extract higher meaning, discover our purpose, and use shared experience to help lessen the suffering of others.
My soul's purpose ignited, and I rose like a phoenix to become an End-of-Life Doula and Counsellor. My mission is to offer holistic wellness care to enhance the final chapters of life and provide comfort during death, dying, grief and spiritual transitions. This path is not easy, but having walked it myself, I am uniquely prepared to walk yours with you, with courage and compassion. I would be honoured to guide you.
Namaste`
Melissa x
“When we deny our stories, they define us.
When we run from struggle, we are never free.
So we turn toward truth and look it in the eye.”
— Brené Brown
Professional Bio
As a qualified Holistic Therapist and Consultant, Melissa brings years of dedicated experience to supporting individuals navigating the complexities of mental health. She is driven by a passion for enhancing lives, specifically helping those who have felt disconnected from their authentic selves following traumatic loss or suicide.
With profound empathy, she guides clients through their "dark night of the soul," empowering them to rediscover their inner strength and "Divine Spark."
Melissa’s deep sensitivity to physical and psychological suffering, shaped by both professional expertise and lived experience, has also led her to specialize as an End-of-Life Consultant. In this role, she provides compassionate holistic wellness care, empowering individuals and families to navigate death, dying, and grief with grace and a renewed sense of belonging.
Activating your Divine Spark; your Souls renewed sense of self, place and belonging!