Grief & Loss Counselling in Coquitlam, BC
As a certified counsellor in Coquitlam, I offer evidence-based, empathetic and supportive clinical counselling support to help cope with the impact of grief and loss of a loved one. Grief doesn't always include physical loss - we also grieve loss of health, loss of relationship, loss of friendships, loss of youth and more.
In this complex process, we seek solace and comfort
for our aching heart.
What is Grief?
How Does Grief and Loss Impact Us?
Grief is a natural and deeply human response to loss. Most often, we associate grief with the death of someone we love — but grief can also arise from many other kinds of losses, including the end of a relationship, changes in health, loss of a job, unmet expectations, identity shifts, or major life transitions.
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Grief is not a weakness. It is the mind and body’s natural way of adjusting to a big change and learning to live with what is different.
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While everyone experiences grief differently, it can often include:
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waves of sadness or tearfulness
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longing or yearning
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shock, numbness, or disbelief
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irritability or anger
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guilt or regret
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difficulty concentrating
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changes in sleep or appetite
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fatigue or low energy
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anxiety or restlessness
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feeling disconnected from others
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a sense that life feels unfamiliar or “not quite right”
Grief does not follow a straight line. It can come in waves — sometimes intense, sometimes quieter. It may resurface during anniversaries, milestones, or unexpected reminders.
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Grieving can feel overwhelming and isolating, especially when others expect you to move on, stay strong, or return to “normal.”
With support, space to process, and compassionate understanding, many people find ways to carry their loss while still reconnecting with meaning, stability, and hope.
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Grief affects the whole person — emotionally, physically, mentally, and socially. Because loss disrupts our sense of safety, attachment, and normalcy, it can feel as though the ground beneath us has shifted.
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Emotional & Cognitive Changes
Grief can include:
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sadness
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loss of purpose
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anger or irritability
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guilt or regret
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anxiety
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feeling numb
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difficulty concentrating
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forgetfulness or “brain fog”
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indecisiveness
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feeling unlike yourself
Emotions may shift quickly and unexpectedly. It’s common to feel different things or a mix of complex feelings.
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Physical Changes
Grief is not only emotional — it also affects the body. You may notice:
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fatigue or low energy
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changes in sleep (sleeping more or difficulty sleeping)
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appetite changes
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headaches
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muscle tension
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heaviness in the chest
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digestive issues
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lowered immune response
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feeling physically slowed down or, at times, restless
These responses are connected to how our nervous system (and our whole body) responds to stress and loss.
Social & Relational Changes
Loss can also affect how we connect with others:
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withdrawing from social activities
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feeling disconnected or misunderstood
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difficulty knowing what to say or how to engage
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changes in roles within family or relationships
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longing for support but struggling to ask for it
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feeling out of step with the world around you
Grief touches every layer of our lives. Understanding these impacts can help process the experience and reduce the feeling of inadequacy. What you are experiencing is a human response to loss — even when it feels overwhelming.
How I Can Help Cope with Loss and Grief
Grief is not something to fix — it is something to tend to with care and gentle kindness.
In our counselling sessions, my focus is on helping you feel supported, stabilized, and gently guided as you move through your unique grieving process.
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Because grief affects both the mind and body, I integrate somatic approaches and polyvagal-informed nervous system regulation to help you feel more grounded and steady.
Together, we work with the body’s stress responses — supporting moments of overwhelm, numbness, or anxiety so your system can experience safety, support and regulation.
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Through the lens of attachment theory, we explore how loss impacts your sense of connection, security, and identity. Grief often activates old attachment wounds or fears of abandonment. Understanding these patterns can help you relate to yourself with more compassion and reduce feelings of isolation.
I also draw from:
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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help you make space for painful emotions while reconnecting with your values and what matters most to you.
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Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) skills to strengthen emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and self-soothing during intense waves of grief.
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Logotherapy and meaning-centered approaches to gently explore purpose, legacy, and how you may carry forward love and meaning after loss.
Grief does not follow a timeline, and there is no “right” way to go through it. It is a very powerful and unique human journey.
My role is not to rush your healing, but to walk alongside you — helping you build resilience, deepen self-understanding, and find ways to navigate your loss in a way that feels true, healing and meaningful to you.
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​​Grief and Loss Counselling Therapy in Coquitlam for Calmer, More Peaceful Self
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Finding healing and hope in difficult times.
If you’re searching for grief and loss counselling near me in Coquitlam or the Tri-Cities area, I offer compassionate, practical support and clinical counselling care to help you regain cope and navigate loss.
Call or text:
778-788-4159
Email: olga@feelgoodcounselling.com
Or book your session online here:
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You deserve to feel safe, calm, and at home within yourself. Let’s begin.
