Grief and Loss Counselling in Anmore, BC.

Loss may comee in many forms. The most obvious is relationship loss. A partner, spouse, relative or friend whos is not lomger with us can be an incredibly intense experience. Even someone who has moved away can leavchments to their e a void that may be difficult to fill. Other types of loses include that of ones pet. Many individuals form strong to their pets and this loss can be devistating. Grief is a naturel process that promotes healing. If grief persists for too long then it may dominate a persons ability to return to normal functioning

Are you feeling sad, anxious, angry, lonely, guilty, relieved, isolated, confused, or numbed out? Loss and grief is most often associated with loss of life, but it can also be central to the presenting problems and underlying issues that are brought into my counselling office by most of my clients. Death, divorce, relocation, immigration, job loss, relationship breakdowns...these are all losses that we need to work through. Talking about your loss and processing your feelings is a good place to start.

Are you struggling to cope with the loss of a loved one? Do you need assistance to move forward through the grieving process? Counselling can provide you with the support and guidance needed during the grieving process. Charlene has assisted many clients over the years to find peace during this difficult time. Call Charlene to find out how she can help you.

Whatever the loss in your life, we can assist you in recovery and resilience. Loss is experienced differently by everyone and we can hep you move forward through the distress. You do not need to forget or ignore the pain of the experience in order to get the most out of life afterwards. We can help you accept and live with in a way that allows you to move on.

You may have heard this before- grief is not linear, and it comes in many forms, whether it is the loss of a loved one, a home, a friendship, or a relationship/marriage; maybe it is the loss of mobility or good health, perhaps it was a dream you envisioned for yourself, or perhaps you're grieving the life and privilege you once had. Everyone experiences grief differently, and there is no timeline for the grieving process. Together, we practice patience within ourselves and explore how grief impacts you physically, emotionally, and behaviorally. You will find a nurturing and supportive space that gives you time to go through the process without judgment. The loss you've experienced matters.

Everyone experiences grief at some point in their lives. I use client-centered therapy and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) to support clients as they navigate the complex emotions that accompany grief. My approach helps clients ride the waves of their emotions, guiding them through the process and ensuring they reach a place of safety and healing.

Grief isn’t always about death—it can follow any significant loss, such as the end of a relationship, changes in health, or major life transitions. My approach provides a supportive, non-judgmental space to explore your emotions, make sense of your experience, and begin to heal. Through evidence-based practices, I support clients in processing their grief, finding meaning in their experience, and moving toward healing at their own pace. Therapy can help you better understand your emotional responses, reconnect with your strengths, and gently restore hope and balance in your life.

The emotions of grief and loss can feel like overwhelming waves that crash on top of us and threaten our survival. The ironic thing about this violent process is that when we commit to experiencing the waves, we feel better. In fact, grief can also be compared to a ‘vehicle’ that if and when we choose to enter, will faithfully drive us to a place of healing. While no one can carry the burden of our grief journey for us, having a therapeutic support can keep us from feeling isolated, as well as help focus us when the waves threaten to overwhelm our sense of progress and hope.

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.

Therapy with me offers a compassionate space to gently process your grief at your own pace. Together, we'll explore the pain of your loss while honouring the love and meaning behind it. I'll support you in making sense of overwhelming emotions, finding steady ground and reconnecting with hope. Grief is not something to 'get over' but with care and presence, it can be carried differently. You don't have to face it alone. Healing begins with being heard

When people come for grief counselling, often there is a memory or image that is haunting them, or coming as a "flashback", and which is hard for them to let go. The work I do, using EMDR therapy helps to put such memories to rest. This does not mean that you will forget what has happened, or stop loving the person who is gone, only that it will not longer have that constant sharp-edge, ever present feel. Some clients need a few counselling sessions to ease the pain, though I've had clients who healed decades-old grief from loss of a parent in childhood, in one or two sessions. They were then able to live their lives more fully.

In my work with grief and loss, I utilize Dr. Alan Wolfelt’s “grief as a garden” approach which offers a gentle, nurturing framework for understanding the grieving process. By viewing grief as a garden that requires tending, individuals are encouraged to honor their emotions, embrace vulnerability, and allow healing to unfold naturally over time. In a therapeutic context, this metaphor fosters self-compassion and patience, reminding clients that growth often comes from intentional care—such as cultivating self-awareness, processing feelings, and seeking support. This perspective can empower individuals to see grief not as a problem to solve but as a journey toward renewal and transformation