Grief and Loss Counselling in Calgary, AB.

My goal is to offer a space for you to work through the grief process in however that needs to look for you. We will focus on exploring the loss in conjunction with understanding its impact on your functioning. We will exploring coping strategies to understand their role and function. We will focus on ensuring tools are in place for times when emotions are more challenging.

After significant loss, you may experience difficult and surprising emotions, such as anger, shock and guilt. It may feel like the sadness will never go away. I know personally what this feels like and I support many people who are trying to find ways to cope and find their reason to continue. There is no right or wrong way to grieve. There are however many healthy ways to cope with the pain. You can get through it! I can help you.

Grief is often misunderstood. It is a powerful and natural emotion. When loss occurs, we are hit with a confusing myriad of emotions. Our minds and hearts are battered by an onslaught of scary, strange, unpredictable emotions that do not abate on their own. In the midst of loss, each person’s experience is profoundly unique and often very isolating. Today we are in a grief epidemic. Grief springs not only from death but also from life-altering events (such a brush with cancer). Grief counselling provides many valuable insights including: a) the increased ability to feel and understand the pain of loss experience; b) better ways to manage the challenges that accompany supporting ourselves and....

Losses can be very difficult to cope with. They often disrupt our routines including positive and rejuvenating activities and connecting with others who are supportive. My approach involved helping clients discuss, process, and grieve their loss in a supportive, safe, and caring place; helping clients re-connect with supportive friends and family and re-initiate positive activities as well as developing new activities and finding new support. Also, cognitive therapy can be a helpful addition which can be used to help clients develop acceptance and realistic thinking and emotions related to their recent loss.

Struggling to find a space to release that grief and loss? With me, clients benefit from a safe and non-judgmental space to express and explore what they are feeling. Get it out with a supportive presence. You don't have to think positive, here. You don't have to Buck up, here. You can let it all go, get it all out. I can handle it and I'm here with you.

Grief can come about in many different ways - loss of a person, loss of a job, a breakup, change in lifestyle (e.g. pre- and post-pandemic changes). Regardless of the type of loss, it can be difficult to process. We want to help you manage and grieve this loss in the most supported way, which can assist in easing the pain associated with it. We are psychologists in Calgary and online that can help you with this both virtually online and in-person.

The loss of a loved one can be one of the most challenging emotional experiences that people face in their lives. Loss and grief can also be experienced for other reasons such as when an individual or a loved one develops a serious disability or life-threatening illness. I support people through the symptoms of grief and the difficult life adjustments that follow. The goal of counselling is reached through the expression of emotions, memories and thoughts about the loss, while normalizing its effects. The hope is that eventually people work toward rebuilding and find their new sense of normal.

Here's what clients have said: "When I came to see you, I felt that I was talking to a friend who understood and was in no way judgmental. ....I always felt better after leaving your office...You seemed to know when to talk and when to let me talk - which was most of the time." "Thank you Kathryn for creating a safe place where I could be free to be in the very depths of my grief and yet always knew I wasnt alone. ...Unlike other people who wanted me to stop crying and "just get over it" you seem to understand how grief overrides reason and problem solving. Most people want me to move on so they wont feel uncomfortable Im sad. You always made it about me, my process and my needs."

Grieving is a highly individual experience and it's a natural response to loss. After a loss you can experience different emotions such as shock, disbelief, guilt, anger and profound sadness. Any loss can cause grief including divorce or relationship breakup, loss of health, losing a job, loss of financial stability, a miscarriage, retirement, death of a pet, loss of a cherished dream, a loved person to a serious illness, loss of a friendship, and loss of safety after a trauma. By using Internal Family Systems and Emotional Freedom Technique (tapping) I assist you to heal the pain of current and past losses, come to terms with your grief, and eventually, find a way to pick up the pieces and move on with your life.

Come and experience a gentle and quiet space where your feminine heart can just be. Forget having to look good or say the right things. Bring the hurt, the pain, the anger at God and the questions you don't even feel you have permission to ask and just let go. Let's walk through that fog together and see the hope God has for your future and the healing you can experience right now.

The experience of loss can leave us disorientated and overwhelmed. In the face of overwhelming or sudden loss, grief might even be temporarily arrested. When grief does come, it can look different for everyone. Whether you have experienced one big loss, or a series of small losses, healing is possible. While respecting the timing and rhythm of your healing, we will work on developing your capacity to shift toward acceptance, increased balance, and well-being.

I have a certification in Death and Grief Studies which is based on Dr. Alan Wolfelt's companioning model for grief. This approach normalizes, validates, and honours the unique experience of those that are grieving a death or loss. Counselling will provide the bereaved a safe place to share their experience and honour their loss through the grieving process. The goal of counselling is to companion the client to be empowered by their innate strengths in coping and adapting to their significant life-changing loss in a way that is meaningful.

No matter what your loss, you may experience difficult, overwhelming and surprising emotions. As a counsellor and registered nurse, I have been a companion on many people’s journey through grief. I have been there through the final hours of life, with loved ones when death is traumatic and sudden, when death is through suicide and when parents have lost their precious child. I also understand what it is like to lose one’s health. If you have difficulty facing your grief or coping with the pain of loss, are blaming yourself for the loss, have unresolved issues or are depressed, I can help you.