Grief and Loss Counselling in De Winton, AB.

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 the pain we feel over loss. Most of us associate this feeling with death, and this certainly causes intense grief. But all significant losses can cause grief-- intimate relationships, health, employment, a close pet, financial stability, friendships, or even dreams. Dealing with grief means constructively identifying and giving meaning to your feelings, learning to take care of yourself, and planning ahead for upcoming grief triggers. I can help you do this. Counselling can make a difference. I look forward to helping you get back to where you want to be.

Sometimes moving on is difficult. But we are expected to just go on with our lives.Maybe 'moving on' is not the way we want to be, maybe not just yet. Maybe we want to find a new way to have a relationship with a loved one we have lost, maybe we need to express anger, maybe we need to choose the memories we hold and cherish. Learn how to grieve as needed and find ways to maintain balance while you do. Find ways to honor those whom you will continue to be in relationship with. Learn to finish one chapter and start a new one.

Losing a loved one, a relationship, a dream...it's hard for all of us. It hurts, there's no getting away from it. It's the avoidance of those normal painful feelings that make things worse. Healthy grieving requires that we allow ourselves to go through, not around, the process. Learning to experience and deal with our feelings is the key to moving forward after a loss.

At some point in our lives we have, or will be, confronted with a loss. Our responses to loss varies, but when the impacts of a loss persist and change the way in which we interact with our environment, it may be time to seek therapeutic support. Loss often results in grief and can occur by death of a loved one (person or pet), separation and divorce, loss of a job, illness and associated loss of ability, or a significant change in circumstances. Loss may result in a loss or change to our identity as a friend, partner, parent, pet parent, home owner, job role, and our faith. I assist clients in navigating their journey from loss to a redefined sense of wholeness and peace.

Losing someone or something that is close to us, can leave us feeling as though we have a gaping hole in our hearts. Grief and Loss counselling will help you feel less alone during this time of struggle and provide the support needed to find new ways to flourish. It's incredible what kind of growth and new meaning can come from allowing ourselves to be transformed for the better by our loss.

Grief counseling helps people cope with grief and mourning following the loss of a loved one or due to major life changes that trigger feelings of grief (i.e. job loss or divorce). It provides a space for individuals to work through and process the complex emotions surrounding loss. Healthy grieving results in remembering the loss with a newfound sense of peace, rather than searing pain.

Grief and loss is approached with grace, emotional validation and compassion in session. I am very client centred and believe that clients know what is best for them and their grieving and we will work together to find a healing path and journey that works for you in your own time. My goal is to provide compassion and validation throughout the grieving process while offering opportunities to heal and grow through the pain.

The loss of someone or something important to you can be extremely overwhelming. For what ever type of loss you experience, grief is a natural reaction. Feelings such as guilt, shock, sadness, and frustration are also common. Each person grieves in their own way and in their own time. There is no one "right" way to grieve, as it depends on your unique situation. I work with each person in a supportive manner to explore emotions and process the loss, so that moving forward becomes a possibility.

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.

Gerard has diverse experience as a psychologist and leader in social services, schools, university, workplaces, and his private practice. Using a theoretical foundation of social learning and cognitive-behavioural training, he is well-versed in various kinds of formal and informal assessment and solution-focussed approaches. He listens carefully to understand your needs and relies on his extensive experience to help you find solutions.

If you have experienced the devastating loss of a loved one (pets included) and are seeking a safe environment to explore and release any pain, vulnerabilities, confusion, distressing or overwhelming feelings and emotions, I would be honoured to walk this transformative journey with you. Please contact me for further information on how I can be of assistance and support.

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.