Grief and Loss Counselling in Gibbons, AB.

The loss of a loved one, whether a spouse, friend, relative or pet, is a tough experience to deal with, and grief is expected and normal in such situations. I can work with you to process the grief that you are experiencing, and together we will work towards finding a stronger person within you, who is able to grieve and accept the loss, and also find ways to adjust to the changes that the loss had in your life.

My approach to understanding and processing grief is about rejecting the view that there are "stages to grief." My perspective on grief is that it is an ongoing process and that there is no one way to grieve. My viewpoint is about exploring the meaning and the relationship you had with the individual in life and death. Additionally, I explore ways to connect with the lost object, concept, individual, and/or animal. Last, in counselling we collaborate on strategies to cope with grief, loss, or anticipatory grief (waiting for a loss to occur).

At Living Well we journey along side our clients suffering from a loss & offer respect as clients work through their grief. In addition to grief/loss you may be suffering with anxiety or depression, difficult decisions, family concerns & so forth. As such, we attempt to understand all that is going on and then recommend a therapist that's right for you.

When we suffer a loss our tendency is to cling to the person or thing that was lost. Grief is the process of letting go. Through grief therapy you will be able to find the courage to embrace the inevitable pain and to transform the emptiness into a renewed affirmation of yourself. The pain needs to be fully experienced and expressed in a supportive environment. It is a normal reflection of our love for the one we have lost.

Feelings of loss and grief come up for different reasons. You may have lost a loved one, a relationship or even a change in your physical functioning due to accidents or illness. Whatever the reason, therapy can help in the grieving process. It gives you the space to acknowledge your loss, what it meant to you as well as finding new ways to ascribe meaning in your life.

Loss can happen at any point in life. The struggle can be particularly damaging when faced with multiple losses through fertility challenges. Loss can be traumatic and swept under the carpet. Your story is important, your feelings are important and I will create a safe place for you to explore your loss and move towards healing. Your response to your own feelings of loss is unique to you. There is no right or wrong. You are accepted for who you are and where you are at in your own process.

Grief can take on a number of forms in pregnancy and parenthood. Grief regarding fertility struggles, miscarriage, infant loss, loss of identity and more can be common experiences for parents. At Nest, we provide a supportive and sensitive environment for those who are struggling with grief and loss and empower individuals to incorporate grief into their lives in a meaningful and sustainable way.

Do you find yourself thinking about all of the ways that you could have or should have prevented that painful thing from happening? Sentences starting with "If only I", "If only they", "I should have", I shouldn't have" are all thoughts brought on by grief and loss and the desperation to change painful experiences and life events that result in loss. Do you revisit painful losses or feel trapped by grief that has a grip on you that will not let go? At Mindful Centre we understand grief and loss and we can help you to process the pain while honoring the ones you love and finding comfort and healing.

Grief and loss are experiences that we all experience at some point in our lives. However, we all experience the grieving process in our own way. I understand that grief is a very personal process, and I respect that there are many healthy views about what loss means in our lives. If you are finding grief is making it difficult for you to function day to day, I can help. Together we will explore how loss has impacted your life and process this experience in a way that brings insight and understanding that will allow you to move forward. Our goal is not to make a loss a happy memory, nor a memory we forget about, but an experience we are truly at peace with.

Grief is a natural and universal reaction to events that occur in our lives. Still, the grieving process can be hard to navigate alone. If you are experiencing grief for the loss of a loved one, or if you would like support in processing loss of a different kind, then you can benefit from supportive counselling with me. Psychotherapy for grief and loss provides you with the opportunity to honour the feelings you are experiencing. I will support and guide you to find peace and joy in your own life in a way that values and honours your loss. Grief is natural. We do not need to run from it. I offer you the support and guidance to grieve without being overwhelmed by your loss.

When working with grief and loss, I believe it is important to be patient and present. I primarily focus on the emotions and experiences of the grief and loss and make sure that they are being felt. Although this can be a painful process, it is important that we are allowing ourselves to move into the pain versus avoiding it so that all emotions, thoughts, and sensations are dealt with.

As cliche as it sounds healing from grief takes time. In fact my philosophy is that you do not really heal from grief. You will always feel the hurt from the loss of the loved one, and it is that hurt that keeps you connected to them. We are not going to try and get rid of your heartache, but rather help you manage and appreciate the heartache that you have in a more optimistic positive manner.

Many people reach out for help to deal with grief or loss of a friend or family member. Its important to remember to be kind to your self during this time there is no right or wrong way to grieve. Its also important to remember a person can miss or grieve the loss of not only people but also jobs, events, trips, freedom, health and a number of other things As you process your memories of a person or an event you will be contained in a safe environment with acceptance and care.