Grief and Loss
Loss is unavoidable in this lifetime. We are all susceptible to experiencing grief, and every type of grief comes with its own unique grieving process. While there is no right or wrong way to grieve, some emotions may feel confusing, frustrating, or even scary. Although it may be hard right now, you don't have to navigate these intense emotions alone. Therapy offers support and guidance during this vulnerable time.
Grief isn't just about death and dying. It can emerge after any loss, including the loss of certain relationships, jobs, and homes. It can coincide with significant life transitions, like a child leaving for college or your parent becoming ill.
At Boreal Therapy Collective, our compassionate therapists are well-versed in understanding grief symptoms. We are here to support you in exploring your feelings and needs. If you have a child navigating the death of a loved one, we also offer supportive services for young children and teenagers.
To begin therapy for grief and loss, book with:
D’Arcy Arseneau
Kim Cardinal
Lyndsy Stevenson
Common Symptoms of Grief
There is no right way to experience grief. What you feel is what you feel, and all your feelings are valid. Some grief feels sharp and all-consuming. Other times, grief feels quieter and may even come with a sense of relief.
Intense sadness: Sadness is one of the most typical feelings associated with grief. Sometimes the sadness comes with heavy crying spells. Other times, the sadness is more cerebral - you're aware that you're feeling emotional pain even if you aren't physically that connected to it.
Anger: Anger is a natural response to grief. You might feel angry about the injustice associated with a certain loss, angry toward yourself for any role you played, or simply angry due to feeling powerless.
Guilt: Guilt can be a part of the grief experience, and it often speaks to feeling guilty that you didn't do more or didn't spend more time with what (or who) you lost. You might also feel guilty during happy moments - it's as if you "shouldn't" be able to enjoy the good parts of life when something this painful has happened.
Bargaining: Bargaining refers to attempting to negotiate or make arrangements to make sense of grief. For example, you might find yourself making statements like, 'If only I had called him back that night, this never would have happened,' or, 'If he had taken better care of himself, he'd still be here today.'
Existential anxiety: You may feel like you've lost purpose or question the meaning of life after a significant loss. In more serious cases, this may coincide with themes of intrusive thoughts, self-harm or suicidal ideation.
Physical symptoms: Some people relate more to the physical sensations of grief, which can include sleep problems, headaches, stomach pains, achiness, and chronic pain.
How Can Therapy Help You With Grief?
There are many ways to seek support during grief - reaching out to friends and family members, reconnecting with your spiritual beliefs, or joining a grief support group can help you stay connected during this tender time. Grief therapy offers several other benefits, including:
Having a non-judgmental space to feel and talk: Sometimes people just need to be witnessed. This can be especially true in cases of complicated grief or anticipatory grief. You may not necessarily need coping skills or advice on how to think differently. You just need someone who can deeply listen as you move through your various feelings.
Setting boundaries: Grief can come with various logistical concerns, and you may be navigating complex estates, challenging family members, financial uncertainty, and more. Your therapist can explore how certain ways of behaving may be affecting your mental health. Together, you will review whether it's worth implementing new limits.
Making meaning: Some people value making meaning out of their intense grief. Of course, this isn't required, but you may find you want support in honouring the significance of what you lost. In therapy, you can explore what you need to cultivate this meaning, whether that means connecting with other loved ones, getting involved in volunteering, or simply commemorating your loss creatively.
Reducing or eliminating unwanted coping responses: It can be so hard to cope with the intense feelings that come with grief. You may find yourself numbing how you feel with drugs, alcohol, food, sex, or work. While these strategies do provide some temporary relief, they may also exacerbate problems within your everyday life. Therapy offers guidance rooted in self-compassion, mindfulness, and self-care.
Therapy for Grief and Loss in Fort McMurray
How to Start Therapy for Grief and Loss
Beginning therapy with Boreal Therapy Collective is easy and requires no referral. You can book your initial assessment here.
Understanding Length of Therapy and Treatment
Your first appointment will be 90-minutes long. For all future appointments, you can choose to book for 1 hour or 90-minutes. During your first appointment, your therapist will ask you questions to better understand you and your areas of struggle. This is known as an assessment. Depending on how much you share, the assessment phase can last anywhere from one to three appointments. The assessment is critical. It helps you and your therapist understand your goals, and it helps your therapist develop a treatment plan to support you in achieving these goals.
After the assessment is complete, treatment begins! In the treatment phase, you will be introduced to a variety of skills to practice and implement to better manage your symptoms. Most people will have a therapy session every two weeks, and we recommend this for optimal treatment. Effective therapy typically takes somewhere between six to twelve appointments (for some more, others less). Many choose to continue therapy once formal treatment is complete. This is referred to as maintenance. People who do this typically have an appointment once every six to eight weeks. This is not a requirement and is a matter of personal choice.
Therapy for Grief and Loss at Boreal Therapy Collective
Where We Are Located
We’re located at 8530 Manning Avenue, Unit 104. You’ll find us in the Service Canada building (on the side of the building that faces the Clearwater River). To check out our space, click here.
Parking is located at the front and back of the building. The front parking lot is closer to us but tends to fill up quickly. There is also an empty dirt lot adjacent to our office that many use for parking. If you park at the back (where Service Canada is located), you can walk around the building to reach our office. To learn more about parking, click here.
Importantly, you do not need to be in town for treatment. We offer in-person and virtual therapy and our therapists are happy to provide whatever option works best for you!
Rates & Benefit Coverage
Initial assessments are billed at a rate of $330.00 for a 90-minute appointment. Follow-up sessions are billed at a rate of $220.00/hour or $330.00/90-minutes (you can choose your preferred appointment length when booking).
Our social workers offer direct billing to 25+ benefit providers. Many benefit providers will cover a portion or the whole amount of your therapy session. With your consent, we will always direct bill your benefit provider first. Please note that our Registered Psychiatric Nurses are typically ineligible for direct billing.
If we are unable to direct bill, you can pay via email money transfer or credit card. You will be given a receipt once payment has been collected. For more information on benefit coverage, click here.
