Grief and Loss Counselling in South Edmonton with a Registered Psychologist

Therapeutic Modalities for Grief and Loss Therapy

As a registered psychologist in South Edmonton, I often integrate the following approaches into my work when working with grief and loss:

  • Emotion-focused and attachment-informed grief therapy
  • Meaning-making therapy for loss
  • Traumatic-informed approaches to grief counselling such as EMDR
  • Prolonged Grief Therapy (PGT)

I provide a safe and non-judgmental space for you to process your emotions, and make sense of your unique experiences.

Relevant Training for Grief Counselling 

As a doctoral-level psychologist, I have extensive experience supporting individuals through multiple forms of loss. In addition, some of my relevant training related to grief and loss includes:

Prolonged Grief Therapy Certificate – Center for Prolonged Grief, Columbia University, School of Social Work

Level 1 – Certification Program in Grief Therapy – Portland Institute for Loss and Transition

Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy (Level 1) – Dr. Leanne Campbell

Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) – Dr. Roy Kiessling

Common Losses that I Work with as a Registered Psychologist

  • Death of a Loved One
  • Death from a suicide, accident, or other violent incident
  • Loss of a child, parent, or sibling
  • Infertility and pregnancy Loss
  • Pet Loss
  • Separation / Divorce
  • Loss of an identity
  • Changes and loss within familial or professional roles
  • Infidelity and betrayal
  • Moving and relocation

There are many other types of loss and grief which receive less attention. These include the following:

Invisible or Disenfranchised Grief

Many forms of change, transition, as well as grief and loss are hidden and not always visible or noticeable to others. These include:

  • Unrealized dreams or expectations of self
  • The loss of an imagined experience of parenthood or other life roles
  • Longing for a companion or partner that has not been found
  • Grieving the loss of a future they imagined with a partner
  • Feeling left out during milestones or social experiences that are often centered around couples or families

Grief, Privilege, and Hidden Loss

Experiences of grief can be minimized or dismissed when a person holds privilege or advantage in certain areas of life. Although someone may have many sources of support, opportunity, or security, they might still experience genuine grief and need to process their emotions around this.

Grief does not require a person to have the “greatest” loss in the room. Multiple truths can exist at the same time: a person can recognize areas where they have benefited or been supported while also acknowledging their own pain, disappointment, loneliness, or sense of loss.

Some forms of privilege can also make grief less visible. For example, a person may appear successful, capable, or fortunate while privately experiencing:

  • Loneliness
  • A lack of belonging
  • Loss of identity
  • Unmet hopes
  • Changes in relationships
  • A future that feels different than expected

Anticipatory Grief

Anticipatory grief is the emotional response that can occur when we know a significant loss is approaching. It is often experienced by individuals and families facing a loved one’s serious illness, progressive health changes, or other major life changes and transitions such as being aware of an upcoming loss of employment and financial security. Unlike grief that follows a loss, anticipatory grief unfolds while a person is still present or while circumstances are still changing, creating a complex mix of emotions such as sadness, fear, uncertainty, anger, guilt, hope, and helplessness. These feelings can sometimes be difficult to share because others may not recognize the loss and grieving that is already taking place.

Grief therapy can provide a supportive space to process anticipatory grief, make sense of conflicting emotions, prepare for change, and find ways to remain connected to what matters most.

Are you wanting to work with a registered psychologist located on the south side of Edmonton, Alberta? You can email us at: admin@diamondcareercounselling.com or you may call us at 587-401-6648. We will return your message within 1-2 business days, Tuesdays through Fridays.

We also provide free 15-minute phone consultations.