Grief and Loss Counselling in Pitt Meadows, BC.

Grief and loss are integral parts of life but the emotional devastation that we can experience as a result, can be extremely hard to manage. It's natural that we want to minimize the emotional fallout - it's so hard on our hearts! Medical research has shown that the physical effect on our hearts looks just like a heart attack! The good news is that it's possible to recover. With help to navigate such painful places, I've seen people experience new insights, develop new ways of understanding themselves and others and transform a broken heart into a functioning one again. It's not an easy road, but it leads to a lighter place.

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.

Loss can break, alienate, initiate, and open. It can lead to oceans of feelings looming over us, a sense of being distanced from oneself and others—far away adrift at sea, rage at the injustice of loss, and even shame at experiencing rage. I can't predict what the waves may be like for you, but I can help you respond to them. Whether your instinct is to hold, brace, jump, dive, run, scream, float, or let the waves wash over you, together we can feel out what to do and what to make of it all.

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!

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.

Grief is normal and each of us grieves differently. I offer you a safe, non-judgmental approach to expressing your thoughts, feelings, and memories. I will provide you with skills and strategies to help you manage the overwhelming emotions often accompanying grief. Whether it's anger, sadness, guilt, or a mix of all, I will support you in processing these feelings in a healthy way. In our time together, we will also honor the memory of your loved one. Sharing stories, creating rituals, and finding ways to commemorate their life can be a powerful part of the healing process. We will focus on preserving their legacy while also allowing you to gradually adapt to a life without them.

I approach each client with empathy and understanding, recognizing that the grieving process is unique to each individual. I believe that grief is a natural and healthy response to loss, and that it is important to allow yourself to feel all of the emotions that come with it. My approach is to create a safe and supportive space where clients can explore their feelings and work through the complex emotions that arise during the grieving process. Through the use of evidence-based techniques, including cognitive-behavioral therapy and mindfulness practices, clients can gain insight and develop coping strategies to navigate their grief in a healthy and meaningful way.

Unfortunately, loss seems to be part of life. Suffering loss can be a very painful experience. Friends and family can be supportive but sometimes it is hard for them to maintain the objective approach really needed because they are dealing with the grief in their own way. Often people find it more helpful to grieve loss in a private place with professional help. My services help you do just that. I am compassionate and understanding.

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.

There are many types of loss and the process of grieving can sometimes feel lonely and hopeless. Sessions strive to explore the depth of loss and its impacts on your life. This is done using ways that honour the natural process of grieving in order to move toward full healing. It would be my honour to journey with you through your challenges of loss and grief, with gentle compassion and understanding. With guidance and support you can move beyond the intense pain of loss and come to a place of peace.

I work with compassion and insight helping clients face loss and grief. Whether the loss is a spouse, a child, a friend, a family member or a pet. I help my clients by explaining the stages of grief that they will most likely go through. I offer a safe place to move ahead from their loss and grief at their own speed. I also have a speciality of working with pet-loss.