Grief and Loss Counselling in Bon Accord, AB.

Grief is often disowned and punished. This means that when grief does arise it can be extra painful because of years of being pushed away. Psychotherapy can be a place to acknowledge and rediscover our grief and explore it. As an inevitable part of life it is important to connect to our need to grieve. By doing this we heal and rediscover intimacy. Visit my website at www.prairieowlpsychology.ca from more details.

There is no "getting over" loss, but there is a way to grieve and live meaningfully and fully. I help clients adjust to this new reality and focus on what really matters. We will process the full range of normal, complicated feelings that come with loss. Together, I will help you move forward through your pain and grief to build a new life while honouring what you have lost and staying connected to those you love.

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.

Loosing a loved ones hurts especially if it's a spouse, child, parent, friend or family pet. Dealing with grief is a process and having a gentle, compassionate person to walk through this with you can be the difference between drowning, and moving through overwhelmingly painful feelings to feeling whole again. Art therapy offers another modality for expressing grief that may be hard to articulate. It is when we process our emotions that pain can be lifted and new maces of being in the world are found.

As cliche as it sounds healing from grief takes time. In fact my philosophy is that you do not really heal from grief. You will always feel the hurt from the loss of the loved one, and it is that hurt that keeps you connected to them. We are not going to try and get rid of your heartache, but rather help you manage and appreciate the heartache that you have in a more optimistic positive manner.

I would like to be your support system in your grief journey by giving you a safe and judgement free environment, where you will be able to experience emotional and physical support. Together, we will start your healing process through sharing your story, increasing your understanding of the situation, finding new coping skills, working on your hope...

While grief is a natural part of life, it can be overwhelming to go through the multitude of feelings that accompany a loss. I believe that people grieve a number of events in life, from the death of a loved one, to the loss of important relationships, retirement, the "empty nest," or transitioning from one phase of life to another. I help those who are grieving to understand the process, and learn how to bear the feelings that rise up "like waves." I also work towards helping people to honour the positive aspects of what has been lost, and reach a place of acceptance, while adapting to a new way of living.

Grief is like having a broken rib. You may look fine on the outside, but there is massive pain on the inside. It hurts to move, sometimes it hurts to even breathe. Everyone experiences grief differently, but a commonality is that grieving alone makes it harder to heal. We are social beings and we feel intense grief when we loose someone we love. You are meant to be seen, heard and supported by others through grief. Sadness needs to be processed and there is no quick fix (I wish it was easier). If we can find meaning in the midst of loss it provides something to hold onto as you navigate your pain, and learn to move forward.

In my work with grief and loss, I recognize that mourning is not only emotional but also deeply physiological, the nervous system carries the shock, numbness, and overwhelm of loss. Grief can activate trauma responses such as dissociation, anxiety, or shutdown as the body tries to protect itself from unbearable pain. I help clients understand these reactions as natural, supporting the body in finding safety and balance again. I often integrate art and creative interventions such as drawing, painting, or symbolic expression, to give form to feelings that words cannot yet reach. These creative processes allow grief to move through the body gently, transforming into connection and meaning.

When we suffer a loss our tendency is to cling to the person or thing that was lost. Grief is the process of letting go. Through grief therapy you will be able to find the courage to embrace the inevitable pain and to transform the emptiness into a renewed affirmation of yourself. The pain needs to be fully experienced and expressed in a supportive environment. It is a normal reflection of our love for the one we have lost.

Feelings of loss and grief come up for different reasons. You may have lost a loved one, a relationship or even a change in your physical functioning due to accidents or illness. Whatever the reason, therapy can help in the grieving process. It gives you the space to acknowledge your loss, what it meant to you as well as finding new ways to ascribe meaning in your life.

Did you know that grief takes many forms? Grief can be felt in the passing of our loved ones, our beloved pets, and even those we are estranged from. We can also feel grief with life transitions such as the end of a career or relationship, and moving. There can even be a mourning period for changes like pregnancy- it is normal and okay to be both excited for the future and grieve our old lives. Counselling can support you through the process of grief.

Grief can be sharp—or quietly disorienting. It doesn’t always come from death. It can follow the end of a relationship, a major life shift, or even losing the version of yourself you once knew. I work with clients who feel emotionally overwhelmed, flat, or stuck in a loop they can’t explain. You don’t have to “move on,” but you can move forward. In therapy, we explore what was lost, what still matters, and how to carry grief without it defining you. This is not about quick fixes—it’s about meaning, pacing, and restoration.