Death and Dying Family Systems

Death and Dying

Death and dying are common issues faced by people who seek counselling. When a loved one passes away,  dormant feelings of rejection, separation and abandonment in a person's life history tend to resurface. Every client has a different reaction to death and dying, a topic that has been a taboo in many cultures.

Many people are ill-equipped to deal with death and dying, and the process of adjustment that naturally has to follow such an event. During the grieving process, a person tends to react emotionally, but their character usually doesn't change. They are bound to review their relationship with the deceased individual, and express the unfairness of the death. The grieving person might seek out other people to replace the deceased, while at the same time revising their current relationships and personal identity.

The mourning process consists of a number of stages, that most people experience. The stages usually occur consecutively, but it's natural to experience them in a different order, to experience more than one at a time, or to skip a stage altogether. Some people have reported regressing to a previous stage, and moving back and forth between stages.

Unresolved grief can lead to psychopathology. It takes a strong person to seek help and therapy can help you realize that mourning is a natural process that allows you to explore life after the loss of a loved one. It will help you to find new coping mechanisms and help you to move forward with a life that does not include him or her.

If you are looking for a counsellor or psychologist who works with clients who are grieving the loss of someone, you may want to search the directory to find a professional whose approach will suit you best.

Family Systems

Family Systems therapy is a type of counselling specific to helping interpersonal relationships within a family system. Family Systems counselling is facilitated by marriage and family therapists who work with the various family combinations, including siblings, couples, parent and child, or step families.

The principle of family systems counselling is to help each individual to first learn to understand his or her own emotions, and how to manage interpersonal relationships effectively, as that influences all future relationships. Once family members understand themselves and the emotional system within the family, it is easier to be flexible in relationships with family  members, marriages, community, school and other relationships.

If you are looking for a therapist who offers Family Systems Therapies, please browse our list of practitioners below..

Note: You may narrow your search by selecting more than one filter below.

Shelley Foster

M.A., RCC
Unique Family Coaching, Customized Individual Counselling and Online Consultation. Are you a family with teenagers looking for help?  Need something to change. Feel like you can no longer communicate or trust... Read more

Joachim Sehrbrock

Ph.D., R.Psych
    NOTE: We currently provide online and in-person therapy services When we feel overwhelmed, stressed, or bogged down by difficult situations or circumstances, it can be tough to see where to go,... Read more

Sandi Bossons

M.A., RCC
Counselling Process Making the decision to seek out counselling is a courageous step towards healing. Often people hesitate to seek out counselling because they feel it is a sign of weakness. On the contrary, it is a... Read more

Anda Vintila

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
I incorporate a diverse range of somatic (body-centered) therapies into my practice, drawing on extensive training and personal growth experiences that have significantly shaped my therapeutic approach. My work... Read more

Maxfield Krauss

M.Couns., RCC
Hello! I’m Max, I’m a counsellor with a generalist focus who works from an existential lens. Your mental health is important to me, and I want for us to work together to help you experience relief from what... Read more

Bryan Milonja

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
*Offering virtual sessions only. In my practice I work with adults (individuals, couples, families). My specialty areas include complex trauma & PTSD (with a focus on the impact of emotional/physical/sexual abuse... Read more

Kate McKay

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
Hello and welcome! I'm Kate (she/her), Registered Clinical Counsellor and owner of Coastal Calm Therapy. Pregnancy, fertility, and the postpartum period has become infinitely more complex in our current world, and I... Read more

Pavan Goraya

M.Couns., RCC
    • Online booking
Hi, my name is Pavan, and I am a clinical counselor located in Abbotsford, BC. I am deeply committed to supporting individuals through their emotional challenges, including trauma, anxiety, depression, and... Read more
    • Online booking
Starting with a new therapist, whether you’re new to counselling or a more experienced client, takes a lot of courage. With that courage also comes the discomfort of exploring some of the impactful and painful... Read more

Sue Perry

M.A., CCC
I am a Certified Clinical Counselor (CCC) and see people in my office in West Sechelt, BC.  Thank you for viewing my page. Chances are if you are reading this, you are struggling with something. I have helped... Read more

Dale Trimble

M.A., RCC
I do not accept new clients. I do see anyone who has been a client of his before. The focus of my work is the supervision of therapists.  I am a faculty emeritus with the Accelerated Experiential Dynamic... Read more

Fernanda Borja

MCP, RCC
    • Online booking
I recognize the challenges and changes that life presents. This is why, through counselling, I seek to help others with empathy and awareness. I believe in everyone’s power to self-transform positively and I... Read more

Virginia Chomley

MCP:AT, RCC
    • Online booking
I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC #15070) in British Columbia with seven years experience working in clinical settings and 14 years in health and well-being. I have a Bachelor of Communication (Bond University... Read more

Veronika Tkacova

M.C., RCC
    • Online booking
I believe that therapy can be a safe space for healing and self-discovery, and I feel incredibly fortunate to be able to support others throughout this process.  I have experience working with various forms of... Read more

Colter Long

M.Ed., RCC
    • Video on profile
    • Online booking
“Only in the darkness can you see the stars.” – Martin Luther King JR. Are you looking for an alternative to traditional talk therapy?  If you are interested in learning psychological tools or... Read more

Lola OpacicLunot

M.S.W., RSW
If you're contemplating counselling, see it  a positive step towards addressing any challenges or issues you might be facing. Counselling can offer numerous benefits, regardless of whether you're dealing... Read more

Sandy Boon

M.A., RCC
IN PERSON AND SECURE VIDEO-CONFERENCE AND TELEPHONE THERAPY AVAILABLE Although not all of the last 30 plus years of Sandy's professional career has been spent exclusively practicing therapy, Sandy has... Read more

Ginny Wong

M.C., RCC
I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor with a Master’s Degree in Counselling, with over 35 years of experience as a community-based social worker serving immigrants and refugee claimants. In additions, I am an... Read more

Daphne Gelbart

M.A., RCC
    • Video on profile
Daphne Gelbart, MA, RCC, is a Vancouver registered clinical counsellor (Registration Number 3290), a graduate of the University of British Columbia (UBC) Department of Educational & Counselling Psychology and... Read more

Whitney Humphry

MCP, RCC
    • Online booking
I work with people of all backgrounds seeking a gentler path in life. Perhaps you struggle with feelings of disconnection, sorrow, or self-doubt. Perhaps you are no longer sure of who you really are, or are feeling... Read more

Virlyn Collantes

M.S.W., RSW
    • Online booking
About Me I offer individual and couples therapy whether in-person or virtual sessions. I am a fervent advocate for addressing the root causes of individuals' and couples' issues and firmly believe that every... Read more

Shelley Ugyan

M.Couns., RCC
    • Online booking
I have over 15 years experience working with low mood, stress, relationships, anxiety and eating disorders of all kinds. These underlying dysfunctional patterns can take many forms, therefore the treatment approach... Read more

Staci Illsley

Ph.D., R.Psych
    • Online booking
For over 25 years, Dr. Illsley has continued to hone her therapy skills and weaves cognitive-behavioral, developmental, attachment-based, neurological, mindfulness and somatic approaches into her therapy. She prefers to... Read more

Cate Pelling

M.A., RCC
As a Registered Clinical Counsellor with a MA in Counselling Psychology, I have been working in private practice since 2003.  Previous to this, I worked for a number of years in clinical settings... Read more

Tanya ward

M.A., RCC
About Me: I have a Master’s Degree in Counselling Psychology and am a registered clinical counsellor with the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors. I have over 15 years of experience and have... Read more

John Boland

M.Ed., CCC
John Boland has been a counsellor/psychotherapist for 40 years and brings to his practice a wealth of experience in the areas of individual and couples therapy as well as many years working with children and youth. He... Read more

Deema Hannoud

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) with the BC Association for Clinical Counsellors (BCACC) and have a Bachelors degree in Psychology and a Masters of Arts degree in Counselling Psychology. Approach and... Read more

Chi Hung

M.Couns., RCC
You don’t have to struggle alone Living with anxiety, fear, and helplessness is difficult. Relationship can be confusing and disappointing. Dealing with your parents or your children can be frustrating. You are... Read more

Allison Bates

M.A., RCC
    • Video on profile
Allison understands how difficult it can be to address issues that may have been lingering for some time. It is truly an honor to walk with you through these struggles and find real solutions. Counselling can... Read more

Ned Baess

Psy.D., R.Psych
Dr. Ned Baess was awarded his doctoral degree in clinical psychology from the Adler School of Professional Psychology, Chicago, in 2003.  He was clinically trained at the Royal Jubilee Hospital (RJH) and... Read more