Finding Hope Through Grief Counselling: You Don’t Have to Face Loss Alone

Grief is one of those deeply personal experiences that can feel incredibly lonely, even when surrounded by people. It doesn’t always look the way we expect, and it certainly doesn’t follow a neat timeline. Maybe you’re grieving the death of someone dear—or maybe it’s something less recognized but just as painful, like infertility, chronic illness, or the loss of a relationship or job. Whatever your story, grief touches us all, and healing often begins when we find someone to walk beside us.

At Kristen Holbrook Counselling our compassionate grief counsellors are here to help you navigate this difficult journey. Through grief counselling, we create a safe space where you can explore your feelings, understand your unique experience, and start to rebuild your life with kindness and care.

What Is Grief Counselling, Really?

Grief counselling is more than just talking about sadness. It’s about honoring all the complex emotions swirling inside—anger, guilt, relief, numbness—and finding healthy ways to live with them. Whether your loss comes from the death of a loved one, infertility struggles, chronic pain or illness, or another life change, grief affects your mind, body, and spirit.

Therapy can support you to process these emotions, find meaning in your experience, and build coping strategies that fit your life.

What Grief Feels Like

Grief can hit you in waves—sometimes calm, sometimes crashing. You might feel:

• A heaviness in your chest or fatigue that just won’t lift

• Emotions that shift rapidly from sadness to anger or guilt

• Difficulty focusing or making simple decisions

• The urge to withdraw or the need to reach out and connect

There is no “right” way to grieve, and no timeline that fits everyone. Your grief is your own, and it’s okay to move at your own pace.

Common Myths About Grief

I want to share a few things many people believe about grief—and why they just aren’t true:

• “You should be over it by now.”
  Grief doesn’t have an expiration date. Sometimes it changes shape, but it can be part of your life for years—and that’s okay.

• “You have to be strong and hide your feelings.”
  Real strength is being honest about your pain. Letting yourself cry, express anger, or feel numb is part of healing.

• “Everyone grieves the same way.”
  Some cry often, some don’t cry at all. Some want to be around people, some need space. Your way of grieving is valid.

• “Grief is only about death.”
  This is one I hear often—and it’s so important to bust. While the loss of a loved one is one of the deepest kinds of grief, many people grieve other profound losses: infertility, chronic pain or illness, divorce, miscarriage, losing a job, or even moving to a new place. All these losses deserve acknowledgement and care, and grief therapy can help you process and heal from them.

How Grief Counselling Can Support You

Working with a grief counsellor isn’t about forgetting your loss. It’s about learning how to live with it in a way that honors your feelings and helps you grow. We’ll help you:

• Find tools to cope when grief feels overwhelming

• Understand the stages and complexity of grief

• Create personal rituals or practices to remember and honor your loss

• Reconnect with hope and community

Whether you’re looking for grief counselling in Coquitlam or prefer virtual sessions, we’re here to offer you compassionate support every step of the way.

You’re Not Alone

Grief can feel isolating, but it doesn’t have to be. Our team of counsellors understands how deeply loss can affect you, and we want to walk this path with you.

If you’re ready to reach out, we’re here. Healing starts with connection—and you deserve that support.