Grief Counselling

Grief is a natural response to loss. While it is often associated with the death of a loved one, grief can also arise from many other experiences, such as the end of a relationship, changes in health, or significant life transitions.

Grief is not a single emotion. It can include:

sadness, longing, or emptiness
anger, guilt, or regret
confusion or difficulty making sense of what has happened
moments of numbness or disconnection

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Grief does not follow a clear timeline. It can come and go, sometimes unexpectedly, and may feel different from day to day.

What the Research Shows

Research has shown that grief is a highly individual and non-linear process.

Early models, such as those by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, introduced stages of grief, but more recent research suggests that people do not move through grief in a fixed sequence
Studies by Margaret Stroebe and Henk Schut (Dual Process Model) show that people naturally move between confronting the loss and engaging in everyday life
Research on attachment by John Bowlby highlights that grief is closely connected to our bonds with others – the deeper the connection, the deeper the grief

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These perspectives help us understand that grief is not something to “get over,” but something we learn to carry and integrate over time.

Why Grief Can Feel So Difficult

Grief can be challenging because it touches on:

the loss of connection with someone or something important
changes in identity or roles
unanswered questions or unfinished conversations

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From an attachment perspective, grief reflects the loss of a significant emotional bond. Your mind and body may continue to reach for that connection, even when the person or situation is no longer present.

How Counselling Can Help

There is no “right way” to grieve. Grief is not a problem to solve. It is a reflection of love, connection, and meaning.

At times, you may feel pressure to be strong or to move forward quickly. At other times, you may feel overwhelmed by emotions. Both experiences are part of the grieving process.

Counselling offers a space to experience grief without judgment or pressure. We may focus on:

making sense of your loss and your emotional experience
finding ways to express and process grief
exploring the impact of the loss on your identity and relationships
navigating changes in your life moving forward
reconnecting with sources of meaning and support

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The goal is not to take the grief away, but to help you carry it in a way that feels more manageable and less isolating.

Where Do I Begin?

If something in these pages resonates with you, you are welcome to reach out. You can share as much or as little as you feel comfortable with, whether it’s a brief question or a few thoughts about what you’re going through.

I’m Jack Wong, a Registered Social Worker in Vancouver, and I offer counselling support tailored to your needs. You can contact me by email or through the contact form. From there, we can arrange a free 15-30 minute consultation to see if this feels like a good fit for you.

Book A Free Consultation Now

Loneliness Hub is gratefully located on the territories of the the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.

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