MaLia C. Ronderos
CCC. CT. MCATD. RMT
ABOUT ME
A Place to Grieve was born from a personal experience
I founded A Place to Grieve after my own journey with cancer.
Coming face to face with my mortality profoundly changed the way I viewed life, time, and what truly matters. It deepened my appreciation for each moment and awakened a desire to live with greater purpose and presence.
As I recovered, I felt called to walk alongside others who are facing grief, serious illness, or life's most profound transitions. Today, I offer a compassionate space where people can find understanding, connection, and support as they navigate loss, uncertainty, and the search for meaning and healing.
MY STORY
From my journey
to yours
A few years later, I had the profound honour of accompanying my mother through her final days and moments. Saying goodbye was deeply emotional, but it was also peaceful. Because we had taken the time to have open conversations about what mattered most to her and the kind of care she wanted at the end of her life, our family was able to honour her wishes with confidence, dignity, and love.
That experience revealed to me the extraordinary gift that compassionate conversations and thoughtful planning can be. They not only help ensure that a person's values and wishes are respected, but they also bring clarity, comfort, and peace of mind to the family members who walk beside them. It reinforced my belief that no one should have to navigate the end of life without the opportunity to have these meaningful conversations.
On becoming an End-of-Life Educator
Inspired by these experiences, I expanded my grief counselling practice to include supporting individuals and families before, during, and after the end-of-life journey. In my mother's honour, I became a certified End-of-Life Educator and have since had the privilege of helping people navigate advance care planning, create meaningful legacy projects, and engage in the courageous conversations that many find difficult to begin.
I believe that when we create a safe and compassionate space for these conversations, we lessen fear, deepen understanding, strengthen connections, and help ensure that each person's wishes are honoured. In doing so, we bring greater clarity, comfort, and peace to everyone involved.
I am committed to walking alongside you with compassion, respect, and an open heart.
Whether you are preparing for your own end-of-life journey or supporting someone you love, I offer a safe, compassionate space where you can ask questions, explore your wishes, and navigate these tender moments with confidence. Together, we will move at a pace that feels right for you, creating space for honest conversations, thoughtful planning, and the support you need along the way.
My hope is that you and your loved ones will feel informed, prepared, and supported so you can approach life's final transition with greater clarity, dignity, and peace.
I welcome people of all backgrounds, cultures, spiritual traditions and beliefs, gender identities, sexual orientations, and family structures. I offer virtual sessions anywhere and in-person appointments in Toronto.
MY APPROACH
Holistic and truly personal
My approach to grief counselling is compassionate, holistic, and deeply personalized. Along with my professional training and years of counselling experience, I bring the wisdom gained through my own experiences with grief, loss, and life's profound transitions. I integrate evidence-informed counselling approaches with complementary healing practices to support the whole person: mind, body, heart, and spirit.
Grief and bereavement touch every part of who we are. My commitment is to provide a safe, welcoming, and non-judgmental space where you can express your grief openly and authentically, knowing you will be met with compassion and respect. I welcome people of all backgrounds, cultures, spiritual beliefs, gender identities, sexual orientations, and family structures.
I believe there is no right or wrong way to grieve, and no timeline for healing. Every person's experience is unique. That is why I meet you exactly where you are in each session, honouring your story, your strengths, and your own way of navigating loss.
Together, we will move at a pace that feels right for you, helping you find meaning, resilience, and hope as you learn to live with your loss.
Client-Centred Sessions
Every session begins where you are, honouring your unique experience, your needs, and your own pace. Together, we create a space that supports you in the way that feels most meaningful and helpful to you.
Holistic Healing Modalities
When appropriate and aligned with your preferences, I integrate complementary approaches such as Therapeutic Touch, mindfulness, Reiki, and Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) to support your emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being.
Inclusive and welcoming
Whoever you are and wherever you come from, you are welcome here. I am committed to creating a safe, inclusive space where adults of all backgrounds feel seen, heard, and respected.
FORMAL EDUCATION & RELEVANT STUDIES
Formal education and relevant studies
My work is grounded in a diverse educational background and a lifelong commitment to learning. I have studied psychology, sociology, and counselling at Simon Fraser University and Vancouver Community College, completed a Master's Certificate in Adult Training and Development at York University, and pursued specialized studies in thanatology, death, dying, and bereavement at Wilfrid Laurier University. My professional development also includes training in person-centred counselling and narrative therapy through Holbeck College in the United Kingdom, multicultural studies through the Cultural Intelligence Center in Michigan, children's grief and bereavement through The Garry Hurvitz Centre for Community Mental Health at SickKids in Toronto, and certification as a Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) Practitioner through NLP Canada. Together, these experiences allow me to provide compassionate, culturally responsive, and evidence-informed support tailored to the unique needs of each individual and family.