Grief and Loss Counselling in St Albert, AB.

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.

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.

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 can touch every part of life — emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Whether you’re mourning the death of someone you love, the end of a relationship, or another painful change, I offer a safe and supportive space to make sense of what you’re feeling. With me, you don’t have to hold your pain alone. Together, we will explore your emotions at your own pace, gently uncovering the layers of sadness, anger, guilt, or numbness that often accompany loss. The goal isn’t to “move on,” but to help you find new ways of holding your loss — with compassion, understanding, and meaning.

Grief and bereavement are very normal responses to loss. However, the experience of grief and bereavement can be extremely difficult and feel paralyzing or overwhelming. Whether you have lost a loved one, a beloved pet, or have experienced a change in ability or circumstance, I can help you explore loss, learn tools to process grief, and build a plan for coping.

Loss can be the most painful thing we as humans can experience. The finality of loss and the pain of grieving often take a toll on our mental health. Grief is not just an emotion we experience, it is a physiological process our body goes through after a significant loss. Grief and loss also does not just occur from experiencing the death of someone we care about. Grief is not always about a negative loss. Grief can occur anytime there is a transition in life where we have to let go of something familiar. Even positive experiences like having a child can lead to feelings of grief and loss from the life we had before or how we have changed how we now define ourselves.

[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

At Rivers Edge Counselling, our therapists can help you with your grief or bereavement by: helping you better identify and accept your loss, move through the various emotions associated with loss like anger, hopelessness, sadness, guilt and loneliness seek a new approach to remember and honour a loved one who has passed away, and finally accept the impact it has had on shaping your life.

Losses can effect individuals in a variety of ways. Within a cleint-centered counselling approach I provide individuals with a safe and non-judgemental environment in which they can explore their feelings and process various types of losses and grief as well as complicated grief. I assist individuals in adjusting to life after loss and in coping with a variety of changes that can occur within oneself and in relationship with others around them.

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.

While grief and transition are a natural part of life, we are still often overwhelmed by sadness, anger and all the confusing emotions that come with loss. There is no right or wrong way to grieve—just your body and mind doing what it can to process the pain of major life change and the loss of how things were. Working with me means compassionate care that helps you to approach and feel your feelings in a safe way, taking things one step at a time. I promise you that all grief can be transformed into a gentle honouring of who or what was lost. I would be happy to team up with you in your journey towards peace and acceptance.