Grief and Loss Counselling in Port Moody, BC.

As we journey through life loss is inevitable. We experience loss whenever there is a transition in our lives; changing careers, moving, our children leave home, our relationships ends, and most deeply when someone we love dies. All of these losses require us to grieve. Each of us feels the depth of the loss or change in our own unique way so our grief is very individual and personal. In my work with grief and loss I offer, with deep compassion, a safe place to express the emotional pain around the loss you are experiencing and offer tools to help you navigate life with the loss and find a way to thrive again.

Here's what clients have said: "When I came to see you, I felt that I was talking to a friend who understood and was in no way judgmental. ....I always felt better after leaving your office...You seemed to know when to talk and when to let me talk - which was most of the time." "Thank you Kathryn for creating a safe place where I could be free to be in the very depths of my grief and yet always knew I wasnt alone. ...Unlike other people who wanted me to stop crying and "just get over it" you seem to understand how grief overrides reason and problem solving. Most people want me to move on so they wont feel uncomfortable Im sad. You always made it about me, my process and my needs."

Grief is such a personal thing and place of vulnerability for each individual. I can be a safe place to talk about the different feelings you may be having and also to go throught the very painful and challenging grieving process. In a time that very often feels quite alone, you will not be alone. I can help you discover coping tools and ways to get through the difficulties and emotions, all of which are to be expected.

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.

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.

I help clients navigate their loss whether it be from the death of a loved one, the end of a relationship, or the loss of something important such as a job, a pet, a friendship, or oneself. My approach to helping clients addresses regrets, change, acceptance, anger, and sadness. With people who have lost their loved one, I teach ways of keeping their loved one "alive" and honouring them rather than using traditional approaches of "letting go" and "moving on," which are being shown to be unhelpful and unreasonable for many clients. This fresh perspective helps my clients through a difficult time in their lives while teaching meaningful strategies to use throughout their lives.

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.

The death of a loved one can be the most challenging life event we go through. But death is a life stage we all will go through and the life we have led will impact the ones we leave behind. In my 16 years of counselling clients, I have been able to help clients discover the unique gifts and lessons of the one who has died. Learn how you can use these lessons and gifts to manage your grief in a more manageable way. The feelings and thoughts can be scary, uncertain and confusing to deal with, but you can get through the tough times. You have a unique way of grieving and that is okay. Let me help you find your way. Call me now to see what my services can offer you.

Grief and loss can present itself in many different ways and show up in our lives in many different forms. Surviving a loss can be life-shattering, especially if we feel like we are experiencing it alone. My experience with grief is that it comes in waves and is not a linear process. There is no clear process or timeline that we should hold ourselves to when recovering from a loss. Each person's experience is unique and carries its own complexities with it. Together we can discuss what is weighing heavily on you and find a path forward towards healing.

It is beyond feeling down when you lose someone special or a loved one to death, addiction, divorce, immigration, or other life circumstances. You may find this a very lonely journey. We help you heal from your grief and loss using Narrative therapy, Gestalt therapy, and a person-centered approach while honouring the past about that loss and providing you with empathy in your grief journey.

ARE YOU STRUGGLING TO MOVE FORWARD AFTER A LOSS OR IS YOUR GRIEF TOO MUCH TO HANDLE ON YOUR OWN? Grief is heartbreaking, and can be overwhelming. The emotions following a significant loss can range from sadness, guilt, anger and fear – and sometimes all of these at once. At the same time, it is not uncommon to also experience numbness and detachment in the aftermath of loss. Overall, people who have experienced a major loss often describe feeling destabilized, unable to concentrate, and unmoored. Loss can change how we see ourselves and the world around us, which leaves us uncertain as to how to move forward. Let's work through the complexities of your grief together.

Death is a natural part of the life cycle but whether expected or sudden we are often left with many emotions. My counselling approach gives you the opportunity to express your feelings in a safe and confidential environment, and allows room for exploration of your feelings. By expressing feelings of loss/grief, clients often report feeling less overwhelmed, sad, and depressed.

Losing a loved one, dealing with a life-changing illness or injury, or experiencing a major life transition can be incredibly difficult to navigate on your own. As a therapist, I am here to provide you with the support and guidance you need to heal and move forward. I believe that everyone's grief journey is unique, and I tailor my approach to meet your individual needs and circumstances. Together, we can explore your emotions and experiences, find ways to cope with your loss, and develop strategies to manage any challenges that arise. Whether you need space to process and grieve, support in adjusting to a new reality, or simply someone to talk to, I am here to help.