Grief and Loss Counselling in View Royal, BC.

Our natural response to any loss is to grieve. Maybe there is grief for a loved one, for a broken promise or betrayed trust, for lost opportunities, for the suffering of another, for the end of a relationship, or the loss of a job. It can be a complicated process involving a complex (and often confusing) array of painful feelings that often affect us on all levels - mind, body and spirit. In my practice, I help people to work through the mourning process, exploring ways to honor their loss, and begin to adapt to changes and new realities. Maybe together, we can find a way through.

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.

The death of a loved one, or the loss of a relationship, identity, role, possession, or job can be extremely difficult to live with. How do you endure and make sense of the unfathomable? Although grieving in relation to loss is a normal response, sometimes we become immobilized by it, and need help and support in order to deal with it effectively. Dr Sloat can support you by helping you to, 1) Process and work through your grief, 2) Find new meaning and purpose in the face of tragedy, and 3) Find the courage to eventually move on.

Major loss and grief effects many of us to some extent in our lives. I believe in the value of the grieving process and the importance of not rushing through it or cutting it off. Grief can be unpredictable and needs to be honored as we move through life’s most difficult challenge. I can work with you through the full range of feelings—anger, fear, gratitude, love, despair – whatever is coming up for you on a given day.

I use my own experience of loss and relevant therapeutic insights to guide you through the grieving process. When your grief hurts those closest to you or interferes with your day to day functioning, you need to give attention to your hurt. This is where a trained outsider can be of help. We all go through similar stages of grief when faced with a significant loss, but in our own unique way. We need to take the time and address what is possible at each moment. By making sense of where you are in the grieving process, clarifying your beliefs and expectations of how much time grieving should take and what the end result should be, you will be able to integrate your experience.

Through safety, support and compassion, Shelley helps her clients through the difficult process of grief and loss. Encouraging clients to be compassionate towards themselves, as well as promoting self care as they move through the different stages of grief. Shelley normalizes and teaches clients about the grief process as she holds out the possibilities of hope and recovery from this painful period of time. Shelley helps clients to find meaning and purpose as they embrace their grief with the underpinnings of growth and healing.

I am honoured that you are interested in my services and I would like to tell you a little bit about myself. I have been described as slightly non-conventional in the counselling world, which suits me perfectly, and also tends to suit youth who are trying to stand up to the force of the problems in their life. I am very comfortable working with this population, and I feel fortunate that I can connect with teens the way I do, conventionally or in a way that makes sense to them.

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.

Working through grief and mourning, is often a long-term process. There can be a range of emotions, thoughts and physical experiences as you adjust to your life after a loss. Significant life changes may include the loss of a loved one, pet, relationship, pregnancy, job, divorce, a move and relationship. I can help by listening to however you need to speak about your loss, at anytime in your experiences. Mourning is a normal and very personal process that does not have a time limit. Yet, sometimes you may feel stuck and at those times, it can be helpful to use on EMDR therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) to work through those sticking points.

I believe that grief and loss are part of being human. That doesn’t mean it’s easy, though. Whether you’re mourning the death of a loved one, grieving the loss of a relationship or a dream for the future, grief and loss are the cold, marble floors upon which our hearts shatter. Our task is to surrender to the lessons they have to teach us and put ourselves back together with the help of that new-found knowledge. And no, I don’t think grief ever goes away. But I do believe we can integrate it into the tapestry of our lives to create a richer, more meaningful experience. That’ll be part of the work we do together. Ready for a different relationship to grief and loss? Let’s get started.

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 someone to whom you are attached dies or abandons you, you may be devastated, lonely, angry, sleepless, miserable. You may believe that never again will you be happy. Maybe you feel guilt. Your grieving may be delayed or denied for many years because it is squeezed out by other concerns. Unfinished grieving has the power to disturb your life long afterward and you may not realize what the reason is. I will ask you the story of your loss. Dr. Janice is an expert in general grief work, child death, child loss and post abortion grieving. Grief counseling will help you to find peace and acceptance and to go on with your life. Other losses include loss of health, employment or relationship.

The grief process is different for everyone yet also flows through some universal patterns. Grief largely relates to themes such as acceptance of the loss, the processing of emotions, and learning to live life in the light of the loss. Rituals and ceremonies often support grief and loss work, as well as making peace with the past. Other approaches include journaling, connecting through visualization, going to meaningful spaces, and continuing your connection in practical or spiritual ways. Together we can work to support the often times painful transitions related to grief and loss.

Loss is a natural part of life, the ebb and flow of living. Experiencing pain is also an inevitable part of being human. Suffering , however, is optional. Sometimes, the intensity of the grief when we experience loss can disable us and freeze us in our tracks. The grief work that you and I do will bring the forward the emotions that are trapped. I will support you in making sense of the loss and how to go forward with a new narrative about yourself and your life.

Grief and loss can feel overwhelming and isolating, but you don’t have to face it alone. In therapy, I provide a compassionate, safe space to explore your unique experience, process difficult emotions, and find ways to heal at your own pace. Together, we’ll honor your journey, build resilience, and help you rediscover hope and meaning. If you’re ready, I’m here to walk alongside you through this challenging time.

Whether the grief you are experiencing is the result of the death of a loved one, the end of a relationship, or an unexpected change to your life plans, Gravitate Counselling Inc.'s counsellors are here for you. We can support you to explore what the loss means to you, process the difficult emotions that come alongside change, and, when you're ready, to explore what your future might look like. Book with one of our Registered Clinical Counsellors today to get started.

I work with clients experiencing grief and loss for many reasons, understanding that loss can take many forms. Whether it’s the death of someone close, illness, the end of a relationship, a major life transition, or the emotional toll of climate crisis or political upheaval, I provide a compassionate and supportive space for healing. Grief can be overwhelming, and my approach is centred on helping clients process their emotions, honour their experiences, and find ways to move forward.

Grief is a multilayered emotion that can come in waves, it can wax and wane, or it can completely throw you off your feet at different times in your life. I am here to help you gain footing by providing a compassionate and safe space to explore the difficult and complex terrain of grief. I will meet you wherever you are in your grieving experience and provide you with a safe and compassionate space to move within it in meaningful ways. I will offer information about the grieving process to help you understand some of the confusing, distressing and overwhelming feelings you may be experiencing and to help promote confidence in your ability to navigate through this challenging time.

Do you feel as if your energy is consumed by grief? Grief and loss are an inevitable part of life, such as with : a relationship breakdown, divorce, loss of a loved one, infertility, miscarriage ,the loss of a child, loss of a beloved pet, abortion, illness and other significant changes in your life. As your therapist, Laurie can help you learn to cope with your grief and begin to more fully come to terms with your loss. Laurie can help you transition through the pain to resiliency and healing.

Grief is a deeply personal experience. I have found that grief can best be accompanied with compassion, gentleness, expression of loss, and the creation of a personalized ritual to assist in finding closure and peace. People greave in every culture, every religion, every walk of life. I am committed to meeting you wherever you may be in the grief process and joining you as you emerge through it to the other side. Contact me today for a free initial consultation.

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.

I will listen to the client's accounts of their loss. identifying the critical issues that are involved and validating their loss. The I will contextualize the loss(es) in terms of the meaning it has upon their life, and the general issues that are involved. Usually, I outline the stages of the grieving process and prepare the client for this, including some assignments that will assist them inexperiencing their losses and letting go eventually. This is avery delicate and intimate sharing process which I try to remain sensitive to as we proceed.

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

At Seasons Family Centre, we provide compassionate and connected grief and loss support for youth and adults, honouring the deeply personal and often complex nature of this experience. Grounded in attachment principles, our approach fosters safe, trusting relationships as the foundation for healing. We understand that grief is not only an emotional process but one that is felt in the body, and we thoughtfully explore the somatic experiences of loss with care and sensitivity. Recognizing that grief is shaped by cultural, familial, and individual contexts, we bring a cross-cultural lens to our work, ensuring that each person's unique story and traditions are held with respect.

Grief and loss can be all consuming in one's life. Therapy can move you through the pain to a place of honouring that which was lost. Our body holds onto grief. Instead of "leaving it all behind", healthy grieving is a way of creating space to carry forward the helpful and beautiful essence of people, moments, events and items that are important to us.