Individual counselling in Burnaby

Grief and Loss Counselling in Burnaby

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Grief and Loss Counselling in Burnaby, BC

Starting grief counselling is like embarking on a journey without road signs. Some days, you may feel lost or stuck at an intersection of sadness, anger, or confusion. In counselling, we don’t rush toward a destination. Instead, we focus on being present, processing what arises, and making the journey more manageable. Together, we create a safe space where you feel seen and supported as you navigate unexpected turns, whether guilt, anger, loneliness, or moments of peace. You can pause, slow down, or change course whenever you need. Over time, you’ll understand your grief differently and find ways to carry it more easily. After each session, you may feel a sense of release, clarity, and a deeper connection to yourself and your loved one’s memories.

Grief and Loss Counselling Session
Grief and Loss Counselling Session

I am a registered clinical counsellor (#19428) in Burnaby, dedicated to supporting people through grief and loss.

I am a Burnaby therapist who works together with clients to help them heal from their loss. This happens in a safe, non-judgmental, and confidential space, both in person and online. Some people feel like they should be “over it by now,” while others feel overwhelmed and unsure how to continue. Regardless of your stage, grief deserves care, time, and understanding.

At Ease Counselling in Burnaby, I offer individual, in-person, and online counselling for grief and loss for adults and youth. I work with you to help you achieve your goals and improve your mental health.

As your Burnaby BIPOC therapist, I ensure you feel seen, heard, validated, and accepted. Starting your healing journey takes courage, and I am here to support you every step of the way.

Understanding Grief and Loss

You may be a busy, successful professional who struggles with grief and loss. At work, you may have everything under control, and coworkers may admire how you engage in meetings. However, internally, you may be struggling with the end of your fourteen-year marriage. You may be lost, sad, depressed, lonely and embarrassed. You don’t share these feelings at work and continue to conduct yourself professionally. 

You may be a high-achieving student who struggles with grief and loss. At school, your peers and friends admire your ability to study and deliver coursework and presentations on time. However, internally, you may struggle with your parents separating and you feel sad, mad, lonely and stressed. You don’t feel comfortable sharing how you feel with your friends.   

You may be a stay-at-home parent or caregiver who struggles with grief and loss. At home, you may have everything under control and consistently meet your partner’s and children’s needs. However, internally, you may feel homesick and miss the city you grew up in. You feel sad, lonely and upset that your support network is far away. 

At Ease Counselling in Burnaby, I offer a grounded and compassionate space to explore how your loss affects your life.

How does the grief and loss you experience impact your life?

Grief often affects more than just your feelings. It can impact your body, thoughts, and everyday life in ways you might not expect. Some common effects include:

Feeling emotionally overwhelmed, numb, or disconnected from others.

Experiencing changes in sleep, appetite, or difficulty managing daily tasks.

Finding it difficult to talk about your loss, or feeling like you have to hide your feelings from others.

Being caught off guard by sudden waves of intense emotions that are hard to manage.

Feeling lost, empty, or unsure of who you are without the person or thing you have lost.

How can Burnaby grief and loss counselling help?

Burnaby grief and loss counselling provides a safe space to share, explore, and process your feelings of grief and loss. Together, we focus on your needs, which may include the following:

Prioritising your needs and wants.

Asking for and receiving help from others.

Giving yourself permission to feel the sadness and anger that surfaces.

Making space for feelings without feeling overwhelmed.

Burnaby grief and loss counselling modalities that can help

I use a variety of different counselling modalities to support clients with grief and loss. Every client is different, and as a counsellor, I support each client with where they are in their healing journey.  Counselling modalities that can help include:

Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT)

ACT can help clients accept their thoughts and feelings without trying to change them. It can also help individuals change their behaviour so that it aligns more closely with their values. For example, saying no to others and maintaining healthy boundaries.

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)

CBT can help individuals identify and challenge negative core beliefs and thought patterns. For example, I’m less worthy or deserving, my needs don’t matter, and I’m unimportant.

Dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT)

DBT can help individuals with emotional regulation and distress tolerance by learning skills and strategies to help them cope. For example, noticing signs of sadness in the body and learning how to manage these feelings.

Resources

Benefits of Burnaby Grief and Loss Counselling

Connection

Burnaby grief and loss counselling focuses on gently understanding how your grief manifests emotionally, physically, and in your relationships. You might feel waves of sadness, irritability, numbness, or notice changes in sleep, appetite, or energy. As your Burnaby therapist, I unpack how these feelings, thoughts, and behaviours impact your close relationships, your work, and your life in general. These experiences can feel isolating, especially if others don’t seem to understand or acknowledge what you’re going through. Together, we create space to slow down and connect with your inner experience in a way that feels validating, supportive, and reassuring. I support you through each stage of your grief and invite you to be kind and patient with yourself.

Explore

Burnaby grief and loss counselling understands that everyone grieves differently, and your process doesn’t have to look a certain way. Some days, you may feel ready to talk; other times, silence will feel more natural. You may be holding onto feelings you haven’t had space to express, or you may not even know what you’re feeling. In our work together, we move gently, making room for curiosity, vulnerability, and reflection. There are five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.  Clients move through these stages in different ways. As your counsellor in Burnaby, I will support you every step of the way. You set the pace, and I walk beside you as we explore what your grief needs. I invite clients to be extra patient and kind to themselves as they grieve their loss.

Heal

Burnaby grief and loss counselling supports your grieving and healing process. It means learning how to carry your grief in a way that honours what you’ve lost and nurtures your well-being. You’ll notice shifts, moments of clarity, self-compassion, or even relief as we work together. Some of our work together may focus on your accepting your feelings and thoughts without judgment. You build your resilience by allowing your feelings to surface and by learning to soothe and validate them. As a Burnaby therapist, I support clients with emotional regulation and becoming more attuned to physical sensations. We focus on tools and practices that support you as you rebuild your sense of self and connection to life. You don’t have to do it all at once, and you don’t have to do it alone.

FAQ

How long will this grief last?

There is no timeline for grief, and we all process grief differently. A parent who loses their child may take years to grieve, and a part of them may always miss their child. An adult who loses their parent may take a few years to grieve, but they may process this loss differently. As your Burnaby therapist, I support clients with unpacking and processing their loss in a safe, confidential space. There is no “right” way or “one” way to grieve the loss of a loved one.

How can I cope with my feelings of sadness when they are intense?

Therapy can help you reduce your feelings of sadness and loss. Some people find talking and sharing their emotions helpful. Journaling or expressing your sadness through means like art or dance can help you channel your feelings and energy. As your Burnaby therapist, I support clients in identifying where in their bodies they feel sad, what physical sensations arise, what thoughts surface, and what behaviours they engage in. Sometimes clients share a desire to be left alone, and whilst this can help, at other times it helps to reach out to loved ones and feel connected with family or friends. I gently remind clients that they are not alone and support is available.

Is it possible to heal from grief and loss?

Yes, it is possible to heal from grief and loss. Every client has a unique healing journey, and while sometimes it takes time to process and recover, it is possible to heal. Counselling in Burnaby supports individuals who want to heal from their loss. As a Burnaby therapist, I have supported several clients in healing from loss, and I’ve supported them with emotional regulation.

Can you grieve the loss of a relationship?

Yes, it is not uncommon for clients to grieve the loss of their relationship with their parent or ex-partner. It can be painful and heartbreaking for people to come to terms with the fact that they didn’t have a loving relationship and connection with their parents growing up. Some people feel extremely sad, and they need to process this loss. Other clients grieve the loss of a romantic relationship and having to start over in life. As your Burnaby therapist, I help you unpack and process these feelings. Often, clients feel a sense of loss and are overwhelmed, but over time, they regain their confidence and make choices that align with who they are.

How many sessions will I need?

The number of sessions you may need varies from client to client. Every client I support as a Burnaby therapist is different, and their needs vary. I work with each client to establish goals, and we work together to achieve them. Clients who have been struggling for a while may need more sessions to help them unpack thought patterns and identify where they feel stuck. However, clients who have been struggling for a shorter period and seek support sooner may find they have less to unpack and process.

Why Choose At Ease Counselling?

Client-driven approach

As a Burnaby BIPOC counsellor, sessions focus on meeting you where you are and working at your pace, alongside you, with compassion, kindness, and curiosity, both in-person and online.

Evidence-based modalities

As a Burnaby therapist, I incorporate evidence-based modalities in every session. I am trained in various evidence-based modalities, including Acceptance Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing. Each of these modalities equips me to support your unique needs, and we work together to achieve your counselling goals.

Anti-oppressive practice

As a Burnaby therapist, I understand the impact of inequality and oppression, providing a safe, non-judgmental, and inclusive space in-person and online. People from all ethnic backgrounds, genders, and sexual orientations, including 2SLGBTQ+, are welcome. As a South Asian therapist, I create a culturally sensitive space, and I am curious to learn more about your culture, norms, and values.