Grief and Loss Counselling in Abbotsford, BC.

All humans experience grief and loss at one time in their lives. I work with clients to help them accept the loss that has occurred in their lives. Once acceptance has been achieved I work with the clients to help them remember with a new perspective. Emotions play a large part in how humans work through difficult times. I help them connect to these emotions using mind/body connection process. My clients have been able to move on and live their life instead of existing within pain.

When we are mourning a loved one, whether it be a family member, the end of a close relationship, or even an animal that was dear to heart, it is a very complex and painful process. There is no one right way to grieve. Some clients need to discuss a specific situation word-for-word in order to process a loss and others need to just sit in the pain and cry. As a counsellor, I would be there on that journey with you. I would discuss with you what you want to discuss about the loss and I would use a client-centred approach to help guide you through your bereavement.

Loss and life come hand in hand; whether it be a loved one, a pet or any other thing we hold dear, we all experience grief at some point. When faced with loss, grief is a natural response which comes with a multitude of feelings. Counselling can be a space to explore all that comes with grief or simply sit with our grief and build compassion for ourselves through our experience.

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.

Dealing with grief & loss is not easy. When we are grieving, it is often multi-faceted and non-linear, it can bring up many different emotions, some unexpected. Working with a therapist through grief & loss can help process the many emotions that may arise. I view the grieving process of each client as unique and support you by allowing space and guiding you to process whatever is coming up in a way that feels comfortable and towards healing.

I offer grief counselling to help clients express complex emotions that can be a part of experiencing grief. I work with individuals to recognize symptoms related to grief and loss in its traditional and non-traditional forms. Grief can be a painful experience that leads to a sense of hopelessness, anger, guilt, sadness, and dysfunction. Together we can unpack the burden of grief and help you cope with your loss.

Grief and loss are a natural part of life. That cannot be avoided. Pain is inevitable but suffering is not. Giving people the space to feel what they feel and express what is going on inside them is so important in processing the impact of grief and loss. Grief is not limited to loss through death but also loss in any significant area of our life. Loss of relationship, loss of expectation, loss of opportunity. None is more or less important than any other. I can offer you a safe space to mourn and I can help you rebuild.

There is at least one therapist at Pacific Coast counselling who specializes in issues related to Grief and Loss. Having a safe space where you are able to process your grief and be supported in your journey while you seek to establish a "new normal" is essential to the healing process. The stages of grief are seldom cookie cutter and almost never in order.

I previously provided consultations for the BC Coroner's Office for 14 years. I functioned as a behavioural investigator and my role was to investigate completed suicides of youths 18 years of age and under. Needless to say this provided me with an opportunity to provide initial grief support to the most some of the most vulnerable clients at a most difficult time! As difficult as this role was it was an honour to have this opportunity to be there at the darkest hour!

Counseling with Olivia through a trauma-informed perspective can provide a compassionate and supportive space for clients navigating grief and loss. Olivia prioritizes safety, trust, and understanding, recognizing how trauma impacts emotional and physical well-being. By focusing on the client’s unique experiences, she helps them process their pain, rebuild resilience, and find meaning amid loss. This approach emphasizes empowering clients to establish healthy coping strategies and restore hope in the aftermath of profound emotional challenges. Through a tailored, empathetic framework, Olivia fosters healing and growth, guiding clients toward a sense of peace and renewed purpose.

When we are facing grief and loss, there is often a complex web of emotions and many layers of meaning-making to encounter in our healing process. The path is never linear. The timeline requires sensitivity and nuance. Compassion, patience and the ability to hold seemingly contradictory feelings are paramount. With gentle presence, we can hold the magnitude and the subtleties of this experience moving step by step towards healing.

Grief & loss can seem debilitating and overwhelming and many people struggle in moving on. Counselling is a highly effective resource for healing after a loss. Through compassion and understanding we will work to heal the pain of the event and move into acceptance and peace. Whether you are grieving the loss of a loved one, the loss of health or mobility, divorce or mid life transition, we can help.

In my practice of grief and loss therapy, I provide a compassionate and supportive space for clients to navigate the complex emotions and challenges that arise from experiencing loss. I understand that grief is a deeply personal journey and honor each individual's unique process. Through empathetic listening, validation, and gentle guidance, I help clients explore their feelings of sadness, anger, guilt, and confusion. Drawing from various therapeutic modalities such as narrative therapy, existential therapy, and mindfulness techniques, I assist clients in finding meaning, fostering resilience, and integrating their loss into their lives in a way that allows for healing and growth.