BEING AND BECOMING COUNSELLING AND WELLNESS SERVICES
Grief Therapy in Burnaby and Across BC
Our Psychologists and Registered Clinical Counsellors (RCCs) provide a compassionate space to help you navigate loss and find your way forward.
Therapy for Grief and Loss can help you:
PROCESS YOUR LOSS
FIND MEANING & HEALING
RECONNECT WITH LIFE
When grief feels too heavy to carry alone.
Grief is more than just sadness; it is a profound ache that touches every part of who you are. It can make ordinary moments feel unbearable and leave you wondering how to move through a world that feels permanently changed. Grief can affect your ability to sleep, eat, work, and connect with the people around you. You may feel isolated in your pain, struggling to understand why others seem to be moving on while you remain stuck. You may wonder if you will ever feel whole again.
We are here to help.
It’s okay to ask for help.
Grief Therapy May Help When You Are:
Experiencing persistent sadness, longing, or emptiness following a loss
Having difficulty accepting that your loss has occurred
Finding it hard to engage with daily life or responsibilities
Experiencing changes in sleep, appetite, or energy
Feeling emotionally numb or disconnected from others
Struggling with guilt, regret, or anger related to your loss
Withdrawing from friends, family, or activities you once enjoyed
Feeling that life has lost its meaning or purpose
Having difficulty imagining a future that looks different from the life you knew
Experiencing physical symptoms such as fatigue, chest tightness, or headaches
Feeling like your grief is "too much" or that you should be "over it" by now
THERAPY FOR GRIEF AND LOSS IN BURNABY
What is Grief Therapy and How Does it Work?
Grief is a natural response to loss — but that does not make it any easier. Loss can take many forms: the death of a loved one, the end of a relationship, a miscarriage, the loss of a job, health, or identity. Everyone grieves differently. Some people are overwhelmed by waves of intense emotion. Others feel a quiet, persistent heaviness. Some people find themselves going through the motions of daily life while feeling deeply empty inside. There is no right or wrong way to grieve, and there is no set timeline.
Whether you are seeking bereavement counselling following the death of someone close to you, or support for another form of loss, grief therapy offers a safe, non-judgmental space to explore your loss and what it means to you. Through therapy, you can begin to process the pain, make sense of what has changed, and gradually find ways to carry your grief while also re-engaging with life. Healing does not mean forgetting — it means finding a way to honour your loss while moving forward.
Grief was never meant to be carried alone. Let us help carry it with you.
Modalities offered for Grief Therapy
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Mindfulness-based approaches support grief by helping individuals stay present with their emotions without being overwhelmed by them. These approaches can reduce the intensity of grief-related anxiety and depression and help individuals develop a more compassionate relationship with their experience of loss.
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ACT supports grieving individuals by encouraging acceptance of painful emotions rather than avoiding them. ACT helps you clarify what matters most to you and take meaningful steps toward rebuilding a life aligned with your values, even in the presence of grief.
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IFS can be a powerful approach for grief, as loss often stirs up different internal parts — a part that is devastated, a part that feels guilty, a part that is trying to hold everything together. IFS helps you gently explore these parts, understand the roles they play, and support deeper healing from within.
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Grief is often accompanied by self-criticism and shame — feelings that you should have done something differently, that you are grieving "wrong," or that you don't deserve to feel better. CFT cultivates self-compassion and warmth toward yourself during one of the most difficult experiences of being human.
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CBT can be helpful in grief by addressing unhelpful thinking patterns that may be prolonging distress — such as excessive guilt, self-blame, or catastrophic thoughts about the future. CBT helps individuals develop more balanced perspectives and build coping strategies to manage the emotional pain of loss.
What you can expect to get out of Grief Counselling
Each person’s journey through grief will be different, but in time you may notice that you have:
A greater ability to process and sit with painful emotions
Reduced feelings of guilt, regret, or anger around your loss
Increased ability to engage in daily activities and responsibilities
A renewed sense of meaning and purpose
Improved sleep, appetite, and physical well-being
A stronger sense of connection with others
Space to honour your loved one or loss in a way that feels right for you
Greater resilience in the face of life's challenges
A growing capacity to experience moments of joy alongside your grief
A sense of hope about the future
Psychologists and RCCs Offering Grief Therapy
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Jan Klimas
Licensed Psychologist
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Semhar Ghedela
Canadian Certified Counsellor
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Pawandeep Kaur
Registered Clinical Counsellor
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Eugene Chi
Doctoral Practicum Therapist & Registered Clinical Counsellor
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Makayla Freeman
Doctoral Practicum Therapist & Registered Clinical Counsellor
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Margaret Brennan
Licensed Psychologist
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Margaret Noel
Registered Clinical Counsellor
FAQ About Grief Counselling
Below are frequently asked questions about grief and grief therapy:
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If your grief is significantly interfering with your ability to function in daily life — such as going to work, maintaining relationships, or caring for yourself — or if it has persisted for an extended period without any sense of relief, grief therapy may be helpful. You do not need to be in crisis to seek support. Many people find therapy valuable simply as a space to process their loss with someone who is trained to help. If you are unsure, a free consultation with one of our therapists is a good first step.
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Grief is a natural and expected response to loss. Complicated grief — sometimes called prolonged grief disorder — is characterized by grief that is unusually intense and persistent, significantly impairing a person's ability to function over a long period of time. Signs may include an inability to accept the loss, intense longing that does not ease over time, difficulty engaging in life, and a sense that the future is meaningless. Grief therapy can be helpful for both typical and complicated grief.
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The length of therapy depends on the nature of your loss, your personal history, and your goals for therapy. Some people find meaningful relief in a shorter-term focused approach. Others benefit from longer-term therapy, particularly if the loss has intersected with trauma, complex relationships, or longstanding patterns. Your therapist will work collaboratively with you to develop a plan that meets your needs.
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In your first session, your therapist will take time to understand your loss, your history, and what has brought you to therapy at this time. You will have the opportunity to share your story and your goals, and your therapist will begin to develop a personalized plan with you. The first session is also a chance to see if you feel comfortable with your therapist and their approach. You can also book a free phone consultation before your first appointment to ensure it feels like a good fit.
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Grief therapy is not covered by MSP in BC. However, many extended health benefit plans cover sessions with a Registered Psychologist and/or Registered Clinical Counsellor. We recommend checking with your insurance provider to confirm your coverage. We provide receipts at the time of payment that can be submitted for reimbursement.
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Yes — we offer virtual grief therapy to anyone in British Columbia. Research shows that online therapy can be just as effective as in-person therapy and offers the added convenience of attending sessions from the comfort of your own home, which many grieving individuals find especially helpful. All virtual sessions are conducted through a secure, confidential platform.