Grief and Loss Counselling in Kimberley, BC.

We don't just "get over " grief because a person we loved is gone and there is no right time when grieving should end. Grief is a process we must go through in order to come to terms with loss and find a measure of peace, which looks different for every person. It's important to have a safe place to cry or be angry with a well-trained counsellor who is patient, understanding and has experienced deep loss herself. We can talk about what you feel, make sense of what happened, help you find ways to honour those you have loved in meaningful ways so, over time, you can move forward in a way that is right for you.

Renee approaches grief therapy with a steady, grounded presence. She understands that loss can feel disorienting, overwhelming, and deeply personal. Her role is to create a compassionate space where clients can move through grief at their own pace without pressure, timelines, or expectations. Whether someone is grieving the death of a loved one, navigating a major life transition, or facing another profound loss, Renee’s goal is to help them integrate their experience in a way that honours what (or who) was lost. Together, the work focuses on building resilience, not by “moving on,” but by finding a way to move forward with self-compassion and hope for what lies ahead.

When losing someone or something important to us, it can take lots time to adjust and learn to live our life without that person, thing or way of life. Either it is the death of a loved one, loss of a relationship, loss of a pet, loss of a job or important possessions, change to your way of life, grieving is a normal response to a life event and bottling it up can create damage or even harm to a person. It can take time to adjust and accept to learn to live life without that person, thing or way of life. When it gets too challenging or overwhelming, or if it gets in a way of living a healthy life, sometimes turning to professional support can help getting through this challenging event.

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.

Grief and loss can be caused by many different events in life and we all respond to our feelings of grief and loss differently. Grief and loss can include: Death of a loved one, separation or divorce, loss of a relationship, loss of a job, empty nest transitions, retirement, job relocation or loss of a pet, to name a few. Bettina will compassionately help you through this difficult time of grief and loss, so you are able to move through the difficult stages with more support, compassion and understanding of yourself.

Grief and loss, while universal aspects of human experience, manifest themselves very differently depending upon the nature of the relationship with the person we have lost, the circumstances surrounding the loss, and our own stage in development. Grief often involves not only loss due to death, but the also loss of identity that accompanies a chronic health condition, relationships ending, the transition to retirement, or the loss of a beloved pet. The transition through grief involves a highly individual process of finding closure, bringing a sense of meaning to the loss, and re-investing in life following the loss.

Grief is a natural and complex emotional response to loss, typically associated with the death of a loved one. However, grief can also stem from a variety of other losses, such as the end of a relationship, the loss of a job, or even the loss of a cherished pet. Dealing with grief can be an intensely challenging experience, often affecting various aspects of a person's life, including their mental, emotional, and physical well-being. In such times of profound sorrow, therapy emerges as a crucial tool for navigating the intricate web of emotions, allowing individuals to process their feelings and find a path towards healing.

Losing a friend or family member can be devastating no matter the circumstances. We can also experience pain from losing a pet, a job or the ending of a relationship. Regardless of what kind of grief or loss you are struggling with, I will support you in facing your pain and finding a way forward. I will help you to understand the process and stages of grief and make sense of it. When we come to make meaning out of our loss our pain is lessened. I will also help you find peace and acceptance.

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.