Death, Grief and Loss Counselling
Counselling in Victoria, BC
Grief Counselling
Modern, western culture, closely influenced by capitalist thought and productivity, has centered the conversation around death, grief and loss as an individual endeavour that requires a desired outcome - closure. Historically, Freud drove this idea in his promotion of grief being a kind of illness that requires an emotional release towards an end result. Psychoanalysis, psychotherapy and counselling psychology has its roots in Freud’s approach to grief and loss. The DSM-5 (Diagnostic Systems Manual) outlines the length of time a person should grieve before it becomes pathological.
Narrative therapy has a different approach to grief and loss by re-membering the deceased person back into the bereaved’s Club of Life.
A Re-membering conversation involves having the client introduce their special person to the therapist, recalling what they appreciated about them and sharing rich stories of their life. Through the stories told and the recalling of a loved one’s influence and wisdom, meaningful conversations ensue and a legacy begins to take root.
Grief and Loss Counselling in Victoria
Instead of focusing on a person’s death and the trauma that may surround this event, a commitment is nurtured to the life they lived, the richness of their experiences and how they influenced those around them.
By dialoguing in this manner, a person does not have to hide or be afraid to speak about their person. Instead, they can bring them back into the conversation and into their lives.
Your Stories Matter
As a narrative therapist, Karen honours each and every person who comes to her for counselling. It takes courage to seek help and Karen does not take this step lightly. No problem is too great or too small to share in narrative therapy counselling.
Karen is dedicated to listening with empathy and compassion. She is committed to helping people reimagine their lives in a way that aligns with their preferred ways of being. Karen’s approach is warm and inviting and she creates an environment of calm and safety.
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Narrative therapy helps people to feel safe enough to tell their stories. People can share as much or as little as they feel comfortable. It is important that they tell their story in their own way, on their own terms, using words that are relevant to their experience.
These letters highlight a person’s stories, skills, understandings, hopes, and preferred outcomes.They also ask questions that Karen may not have thought about during the conversation, creating space for what might be possible.
Narrative therapy is a therapy of appreciation for the times people have stood up to the problems in their lives. Narrative therapy is a recognition of a person resisting the problem’s voice and refusing to go along with it.
The narrative practice of externalization assists people to explore the history and context of the arrival of the problem, investigating when and where it started to gain control.
Communication
Sessions can be over Zoom, the telephone or in person in my home office.
Insurance
Insurance coverage is not available.
Fees
Sliding Scale $50 - $100 per hour.
Ask about student rates or hardship circumstances.
It is important to me that everyone has access to the help that they need for as long as they need it, so please contact me to discuss a sliding scale. Counselling should be available to all individuals seeking it and not only to those who can afford it.