Grief and Loss Counselling in Port Alberni, BC.

Grief & Loss can come from a variety of life events. Traditionally people think of death, whether it is a loved one or loved pet however grief can be anticipatory, disenfranchised or related to life changes or even the climate crisis. Acknowledging and processing grief & loss can help people feel better able to enjoy life again. Grief & Loss is a inevitable part of life, it doesn’t have to be never ending.

We understand that grief and loss profoundly impacts individuals and families. We also understanding grief means understanding the relationship or relationships that have been lost. We want to understand the love and the loss experienced and help to hold space for the grief, create meaning, and healing. We further understand that some grief is complicated. We are here to support you.

Grief is a natural response to loss. One of the most important things we can do for grief is to honour it's presence. I will help you process the emotions around your grief, help you to put words to things you are feeling and hold space for you to feel all your feelings. Contrary to popular belief, grief involves any kind of loss, not just the loss of life, this could mean transitions, moves etc.

I provide a safe, welcoming space for you to speak about the loss of a loved one or other sources of grief such as divorce, retirement, a big move, or change in finances. Each loss is individual and unique and support can be given regardless of whether your loss is recent or happened some time ago. Conversations, questions, and techniques are tailored to your needs in session.

When we are facing grief and loss, there is often a complex web of emotions and many layers of meaning-making to encounter in our healing process. The path is never linear. The timeline requires sensitivity and nuance. Compassion, patience and the ability to hold seemingly contradictory feelings are paramount. With gentle presence, we can hold the magnitude and the subtleties of this experience moving step by step towards healing.

To provide the psychoeducation with the process and stages of grief and loss: Depression, Denial, Bargaining, Anger, and Acceptance. To provide talk therapy and allow the client to express themselves, however, also incorporate some SFBT and use positive psychology language. To also emphasize that grief has no timeline and certain life events can be a trigger such as brithdays, holidays, or other occasions.

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 is something we experience and grief is how we deal with it. For many, this is a straightforward process that takes time to heal the pain that we feel from the realization that what we had or shared is now beyond our reach. For others, this is a process that extends beyond what is considered the normal amount of time given to grieve, and so how we learn to process our loss and grieve what we had becomes all consuming, or a delayed response that reaches out and affects everything else in our lives. With time and conversation, using different techniques, we will pave a new road forward where you learn to treasure your memories, knowing you are not alone and are comforted with the past.