Grief and Loss Counselling in Penticton, BC.

Grief is associated with many forms of loss. The most commonly accepted loss is the death of a loved one. Other losses include miscarriage, abortion; marriage, long term relationships; work; treasured possessions; hopes, dreams, wishes; personal integrity; privacy; safety/security; freedom; or trust. Grief is the inward experience of loss; mourning is the outward expression of it. It is a journey, a process, not an event, and needs time and social support to move beyond it. While on that grief journey, it is important to practice self-compassion and patience by reducing demands on ourselves. I can help you explore the depth of your grief, embrace it, then move on as you are ready.

Losing a friend or family member can be devastating no matter the circumstances. We can also experience pain from losing a pet, a job or the ending of a relationship. Regardless of what kind of grief or loss you are struggling with, I will support you in facing your pain and finding a way forward. I will help you to understand the process and stages of grief and make sense of it. When we come to make meaning out of our loss our pain is lessened. I will also help you find peace and acceptance.

Grief can touch every part of life emotionally, mentally, and physically. Whether you are grieving the loss of a loved one, a relationship, a life transition, or a version of yourself, the experience can feel heavy and isolating. Therapy offers a supportive space to process emotions at your own pace while gently making sense of the pain, changes, and emotions that can come with loss.

Grief has a way of pulling the ground out from underneath you, and my work is to help you find steady footing again. In our sessions, we look honestly at the pain, the confusion, the anger—nothing is off-limits and nothing is “too much.” I guide you toward uncovering the meaning hidden inside your heartbreak, helping you rebuild a life that feels true rather than numb. Clients often experience a shift from simply enduring their loss to discovering a renewed sense of identity, purpose, and personal strength.

Everybody has experienced loss; some events have more impact on our mind than others. There are circumstances in life that make almost impossible to process this loss. There are way and methods to help with the normal flow of that process in order to overcome the pain. I have over 20 years helping people to find their way and their new identity after the loss.

Grief & loss can seem debilitating and overwhelming and many people struggle in moving on. Counselling is a highly effective resource for healing after a loss. Through compassion and understanding we will work to heal the pain of the event and move into acceptance and peace. Whether you are grieving the loss of a loved one, the loss of health or mobility, divorce or mid life transition, we can help.

Sheila specialized as a grief counsellor for two years and knows that grief is a natural reaction to loss. Our culture tends to either minimize or pathologize grief. Sheila knows your relationship with the one you're grieving impacts your grief process. She will help you move through your grief and support you through your personal grieving process and the six tasks of grieving identified by grief specialist Therese Rando.

When we are facing grief and loss, there is often a complex web of emotions and many layers of meaning-making to encounter in our healing process. The path is never linear. The timeline requires sensitivity and nuance. Compassion, patience and the ability to hold seemingly contradictory feelings are paramount. With gentle presence, we can hold the magnitude and the subtleties of this experience moving step by step towards healing. In addition to grief counselling, I offer EMDR and other trauma processing approaches to support you in your healing when appropriate.