Grief and Loss Counselling in Port Moody, 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 is a natural part of life, but it can also be one of the hardest things we experience. And we don't only grieve the passing of a loved one; we also grieve pets passing away, the loss of a job or a relationship, the loss of bodily function, the loss of a part of our identity, or the figurative loss of years of our lives due to extended trauma, illness, caregiving, or feeling lost. Talking about it can help. EMDR Therapy can help as well, when the loss was traumatic or unexpected, and when you feel unable to move on after a lengthy period of mourning. I have a deep understanding of this, which allows me to be offer you insights and help you to feel better.

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.

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 and loss comes in many forms. You can grieve a death, a relationship, job, friend or the loss of a life you thought you would have. Grief and loss counselling helps to identify the loss and provide support through the process. Counselling can be beneficial to help you overcome the grief in a healthy, productive way and move forward with your life and goals.

GRIEF AND LOSS THERAPY Discovering how to live with and move through the pain of loss is a deeply personal process. There is no set amount of time or way to grieve. Only the time and manner that is right for you is right. Sadness, intense grief, anger and fear, a sense of lost identity, feelings of guilt, disorientation, a loss of purpose, a feeling of numbness may be part of your experience. As a counsellor who has worked with people of all ages and backgrounds, I bring a compassionate heart, a nonjudgmental approach and a warm environment where you can safely explore the feelings and thoughts that face you. Getting the support you need can make a huge difference.

Grief is a part of life for which we can never truly prepare, and looks different for everyone. There are many reasons why people experience grief which may be due to the loss of a loved one, loss of a pet, loss of a job to name a few. I provide grief therapy in order to help you understand your grief. I will also help to educate you on the different stages of grief so that you can better understand the process of grieving. Grief and loss counselling assists you in processing grief, working with you to find your new normal in the face of loss.

Grief has a way of pulling the ground out from underneath you, and my work is to help you find steady footing again. In our sessions, we look honestly at the pain, the confusion, the anger—nothing is off-limits and nothing is “too much.” I guide you toward uncovering the meaning hidden inside your heartbreak, helping you rebuild a life that feels true rather than numb. Clients often experience a shift from simply enduring their loss to discovering a renewed sense of identity, purpose, and personal strength.

The pain of grief is different from any pain we feel during our lives. Grief brings up different and sometimes conflicting emotions and unprocessed grief leads to other mental health issues. My approach to grief is creating a safe space in which the clients can share the many different emotions that grief brings up. I also help my clients get in touch with what they need to go through this difficult phase with more compassion. We talk about what the loss means for them and how they can build their life around all the changes that grief brings. Together we will sit with difficult emotions, with the questions that might not have any answers and with the overwhelming pain.

Grief and loss are a natural part of life. People of all ages, cultures and belief systems experience the sadness that accompanies the loss of a loved one, relationship, career or dreams. Relationship is key. Listening with empathy and validation of feelings is essential. The client needs to be heard, understood and emotionally supported. It is import to help the client understand that the grieving process is unique to each person. There is no right or wrong way to experience loss. It is also important to note that bereavement is occasionally misdiagnosed as depression. When an individual is grieving connection with others is eminent. Depression tends to lean towards isolation.

I work directly with the emotional parts of the brain to take the edge of the pain of grief and loss. I accomplish this through the use of narrative therapy, logotherapy (meaning and purpose), EMDR and OEI (draw out specific areas of emotional pain), and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. Clients report that this process significantly decreases their level of stress and pain without the need to recall or relive painful events.

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.

Grief is not only about losing a loved one . It’s about losing anything that is meaningful to us . Over time , we have developed an attachment with these important parts .Losing these parts leaves us with an insecurity. Through the therapy , we learn to see these parts , explore the needs that are left unmet and learn how to live while grieving.

When a person is in deep sorrow from grief and loss, the person is feeling a terrible sense of aggravated state of losing someone or something special. It is like a massive amount of money loss feeling and tons of heavy weight is dropping inside someone's heart. I suggest to my clients what they have been missing out and think about the opposite and consider people around the client. So I guide them to think about their emotional path from deprived, incorrectly positioned and misplaced ways, to privileged and correctly positioned ways and laying your emotions out properly. Some of the most effective suggestions are; you allow it to pass it, and share it with people around you. Matt 11:28-30

Grief and Loss can be one of the greatest challenge a person will face in their life. It can be a sudden death of a family member, or an illness that last for years when one repeatedly feels the loss. After a divorce or a break-up, there is a great sense of loss not just for one's partner but also for all one's hopes and dreams. Grief can come in many forms. Some of us become sad others anger, often we withdraw from people and feel a sense of helplessness. Therapy can offer support and a guide to healing. It can be a slow process; it is not meant to forget the person but learn acceptance of what can not be changed and to continue on with one's life.

We offer support and provide a safe and empathetic space for clients to process their grief and navigate the complexities of their emotions in the aftermath of loss, breakup, or significant life changes. Drawing upon evidence-based approaches, we guide clients through the stages of grief, helping them understand and make sense of their emotions, thoughts, and experiences.

The loss of any relationship can be devastating. Grief for the death of a loved one can go through many phases before we come to accept the loss. In a family system, changes in relationships occur and we often see sides of our families that did not exist prior to the death. Often the end of a relationship can feel like a death and takes time to heal and move forward. Learning about the natural process of healing from Grif and Loss will be helpful in the weeks and months following a loss.

The loss of a loved one, human or non-human, has a tremendous impact on our emotional well-being, our day to day functioning, and our identity. Dr. Rochefort helps individuals experiencing grief or loss to process the emotional tidal wave, develop skills to support emotional safety, process the grief or loss, and redefine a new life that is worth living.

Grieving is a process and a journey, not a feeling. When we lose someone, the feelings that arise are often unexpected, sometimes even random. And whatever those feelings are, we owe it to ourselves to feel them. They will, in fact, demand to be felt. As a therapist, I try to be a vessel to receive the feelings that come. I do so without judgement.

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.

If you have lost someone, I offer a compassionate and supportive space to explore your unique experience of loss. Listening carefully to your story, there's an opportunity to identify and honour your feelings, your memories and your relationship. Through gentle conversation and questions, there's a chance to rewrite your grief story, discover strengths, attend to resilience and find meaning amidst your pain. You can begin to acknowledge what you've been through while promoting healing, growth, a continued bond with the one who has passed and learning to live with loss

My approach to counselling for grief and loss is that everyone's experience of grief is unique and valid. There is no right way to respond to grief and it is not a linear path. With compassion and understanding I will come alongside you in your journey, wherever you are in your loss. Together we will process the loss as well as the effects it has on your life and relationships. When you are ready we can discuss strategies for your life that will support you as you move forward through the loss and pain, that include meaning and purpose.

Coping with the loss of a loved one can be a very painful experience. When you are caught up in strong emotions such as sadness, anger, fear, or shock, you may feel alone and misunderstood, and wonder if your experience is normal or if it will ever end. You do not have to walk this journey alone. I will come alongside you, to patiently and gently help you move through the grieving process toward a place of acceptance and peace so that you can recover a sense of contentment and meaning in life.

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.