Grief & Loss
Grief is not limited to the death of a loved one. It can arise from many kinds of change — the end of a relationship, a shift in health, the loss of a role or identity, or a sense that life looks different than you expected. Grief can be sharp or quiet, constant or unpredictable, and it often moves in ways that aren’t linear.
Counselling offers a calm, supportive space to acknowledge what you’ve lost, understand what you’re carrying, and find steadier ground as you navigate life with this change.
Sessions are available in person in Saanich and online across British Columbia.
Types of Loss People Bring to Counselling
People seek support for grief related to:
• Death of a family member, partner, friend, or pet
• Relationship endings or estrangement
• Loss of health, mobility, or physical capacity
• Changes in identity or life direction
• Job loss, retirement, or shifts in career role
• Fertility challenges or pregnancy loss
• Major transitions that bring an unexpected sense of grief
• Losses that feel complex, ambiguous, or hard to name
Any significant change even one you chose can involve grief.
How Grief Can Feel
Grief can affect thoughts, emotions, and the body in ways that can be surprising or difficult to articulate. Clients often describe:
​
• Waves of sadness, numbness, or overwhelm
• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
• Changes in sleep, appetite, or energy
• Feeling disconnected or out of sync with others
• Guilt, anger, confusion, or longing
• A sense of unpredictability — good days and hard days without a clear pattern
All of these responses are human. There is no “right” way to grieve.
A Gentle, Grounded Approach
Counselling provides space to explore the meaning and impact of your loss at a pace that feels manageable. This may involve:
​
• Naming and understanding the layers of grief
• Making sense of conflicting or unexpected emotions
• Exploring the impact of the loss on identity, relationships, and daily life
• Understanding cultural, familial, or personal expectations around grief
• Supporting emotional regulation during intense moments
• Creating room for both sorrow and small moments of steadiness
The focus is not to move on quickly, but to help you feel more supported as you navigate what is already here.
Non-Death Losses
Many people feel unsure whether their experience “counts” as grief. Losses related to identity, health, family roles, safety, or long-held plans can carry just as much emotional weight. These losses are real and deserve space and care.
Therapeutic Approaches
I draw from person-centred therapy, mindfulness-based approaches, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT). These approaches support emotional processing, grounding, self-compassion, and meaning-making at a pace that respects your capacity.
Moving Forward with Care
Grief often changes with time, and so does how we relate to it. Counselling can support you in carrying your loss with more clarity and gentleness without rushing the process or minimizing what it means to you.
If you’d like to explore whether grief counselling feels supportive, you’re welcome to book a complimentary consultation or schedule a session.