Grief and Loss Counselling in Forest Lawn, AB.

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.

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.

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.

If one is going to love they are going to experience loss. Loss, suffering and grief are part of living. Research clearly shows that the grieving process entails emotional reflection and redefining one's way of being in the world. By engaging in grief counselling with me you will rewrite the story of your life so that the one you have lost lives on in you via your memories and in your life via the stories you tell others about them. As the saying goes, "after great pain a new life emerges" by deeply engaging in the grief process with me you will open yourself up to the emergence of a rich and full life.

Grief counselling 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 emotional pain.

Grief and loss therapy offers numerous benefits for individuals navigating the complex emotions associated with death and loss experiences. By providing a safe and supportive space, I can help individuals process their grief, understand the stages of mourning, and develop coping strategies. I strive to create space for emotional healing, enhance self-awareness and foster resilience throughout the grieving process. I will work with you to gently and holistically move through the pain, find meaning in your loss and rebuild a fulfilling life.

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.

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.

[I OFFER VIDEO SESSIONS THROUGHOUT ALBERTA AND ONTARIO]. You are hurting now, and I understand that. I have been a psychologist since 1986 with plenty of hard-earned wisdom. I too have experienced grief and loss many times in my life. I can help. Let us chat about the pain you are feeling now. Book with me right now by going to https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=14249112

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.

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 and loss are one of the most difficult situations in the human condition. I've worked with many clients who struggle to move on after loss, or who are currently grieving and need someone to help them confront their emotions. In my experience there is no one size fits all therapy for dealing with grief and loss so understanding the meaning and emotions attached to your loss help us both to process what has happened so that you can begin to breath again and become hopeful for your future.