Grief and Loss Counselling in Balzac, AB.

Feeling lost and alone? Wish others understood, or knew what to say? I journey with people touched by loss in their life, big or small (in fact, in my mind, no loss is really 'small,' because it's significant to YOU). What we do with our disappointments and losses will define who we are (Dan Allender). Whether you're stuck with grief from the past, or coping with life changes today, having friends along the journey who can be with you in your pain are what you need. Together you and I can help you move through this difficult phase of your journey, resulting in renewed hope and yes, joy, that comes from a healed heart.

When it all comes crashing down, everyone needs a safe place to be heard. It should be easier for Christians - but often it is far more difficult. It's hard to find a safe place to ask the really hard questions. It's even harder to receive subtle messages to, "Contain your sorrow," from others. So, if you're tired of putting on a brave face, come and experience a place where you can be really understood and real help with navigating through that surreal fog and haze. Life's losses are never a place for pat answers or bandaid solutions.

Losing someone you care about can be a very challenging experience filled with a range of emotions such as: sadness, guilt, anger, and regret. Although grieving is a natural process and is often resolved over time, on occasion people find that their feelings of loss are debilitating and are not diminishing over time. Others struggle to accept the loss and are inhibited from resuming their life without the presence of their loved one. In these circumstances, grief and loss counselling can be beneficial. If you are struggling, I will strive to accompany you as you work to integrate your loss so that you are able to reach a place of acceptance and reclaim a sense of peace and well-being.

Grief is not linear, it is messy and there is no cookie cutter support, each person's experience is individual and unique to them. At the heart of our approach is connection because when we are heard we begin to heal. Whether you’re mourning the death of a loved one, the end of a relationship, a shift in identity, or a future that no longer exists—your pain is valid, and your story matters.

Not only is grief painful because you have lost someone or something you love and care about, but often people can hold a wide range of emotions that amplify the grieving experience. For example, some people may feel guilt - the feeling I didn't do enough, I didn't act soon enough; or fears about what the future might hold. My job is to hold space for all the layers of your grief experience and help you express your pain while also considering how to begin resuming your life after your loss. You can expect to be met with gentle compassion, space for your tears, and help to begin taking small steps of care towards your self along side of your grief.

It is impossible to live without experiencing the loss of someone or something that really matters to us. Grieving is a normal human experience but the emotional pain can often be unbearable. Although grieving does not necessarily have an end point, therapy can assist you to cope more effectively with the loss and return sooner to a meaningful and satisfying life.

Clients can expect a client centered, supportive and informative understanding of what to expect regarding grief and loss issues as well as how to work through these issues through hands-on therapeutic techniques. I currently use some emotionally focused therapy techniques as well as models from three different grief cycles for grief issues which can include anything from death and loss of a loved one to giving up substances or breakup of a relationship.

Standard Grief: Sadness directly related to a loss. Complex Grief: Sadness related to a loss. Includes additional meanings and associated emotions as in: Regret – “I am a horrible person” Anger – “The universe took something too soon” Hopelessness – “ My life has not meaning now” Fear – “I am at risk of losing more” Helpless – “I am incapable- I cannot go on” Complex grief is grieving that get stuck because of the complicating meaning the trauma of loss has triggered. In order to treat complex grief, we remove the LBs associated with the loss, as shown above, and this lets the standard grief progress through the regular stages of grief, to arrive at a healthy perspective on the loss.

I specialize in helping individuals process grief and loss through compassionate virtual sessions. In this safe space, we face the full spectrum of emotions together, embracing every aspect of your experience. By creating a narrative that honors your loved one’s life and legacy, we transform grief into understanding and connection. My approach supports healing, acceptance, and personal growth, empowering you to integrate loss while preserving meaningful memories and sustaining emotional resilience.

Grief is a deeply personal experience, and no two people move through loss in the same way. In grief and loss therapy, we provide a steady, compassionate space where clients can process emotions at their own pace without pressure to “move on” or feel a certain way. Together, we explore the impact of the loss, honour the meaning of the relationship or experience, and gently build coping strategies that support daily functioning. Clients often benefit from gaining clarity around complex emotions, reducing feelings of isolation, and learning how to carry their loss in a way that allows for both remembrance and continued growth.

Loss is a human condition that none of us can avoid. Due to the pain, we can’t walk these grief journeys alone. I use EMDR therapy to desensitize painful memories and talk therapy to help navigate the stages of grief. Grief is a natural process our hearts, bodies, and minds use to help us navigate these complex changes. The pain will get easier.