Death and Dying, Depression, Trauma Counselling Counsellors

Death and Dying, Depression, Trauma Counselling

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.

Depression is the most common psychological condition, and most people experience it at one point or another in their lives.

Symptoms of depression include lethargy, low self esteem, a feeling of sadness, helplessness, hopelessness, anxiety, dysphoric mood and even suicidal thoughts. People who are depressed usually feel a lack of energy and a lack of pleasure and they may be agitated or irritable.

Since there are so many causes to depression, which boils down to a natural response to life experiences (a defence mechanism), each situation warrants a thorough investigation into the exact catalyst. Depending on what causes a specific incidence of depression, a treatment plan can be developed to help the individual deal with his or her emotions.

Some people are predisposed to depression in that it can run in the family. In many cases, it is learned when someone is constantly exposed to it.

Counselling can help a person to adapt to life changes that are causing grief, particularly with bereavement or marital issues. Systemic therapy is helpful in family therapy, where the efforts of the whole family can help the individual. Psychodynamic therapy helps a person to find the hidden psychological defences that cause problems to manifest. Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on the problem at hand, providing solutions to day-to-day issues and finding ways to restructure negative thought patterns.

If you are looking for a counsellor or psychologist who has training and experience in depression counselling you may want to search the directory to find a professional whose approach will suit you best.

Trauma counselling can assist with a wide range of internal emotional reactions to devastating situations. Some people experience things as more traumatic than others, and therefore they will need help in coping the emotional burdens of an event or situation.

Stressful events such as death of a loved one, rape, abuse, accidents, divorce, violence or bullying can leave people unable to cope or process the emotional burdens. However, it is not only events linked to the individual personally, but also being a witness to events that might leave a person with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This includes being a victim to violence or natural disasters - there is no limit to the causes of trauma.

In the case of PTSD, people can develop many different psychological reactions, as determined by their own coping skills, emotional stability and background. Symptoms of PTSD include a anger, depression, flashbacks, insomnia, nightmares, social withdrawal, loss of self esteem and confidence, and substance abuse.

It takes a strong person to have the courage to stand up and request trauma counselling. This is no time to compare yourself to other people in similar situations, but rather to recognize that everyone has a different reaction to trauma. Therefore, it is important to address the symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder as soon as possible to help you deal with emotions in a healthy way and to overcome the difficulties you are facing. Trauma counselling can help avert potentially more severe psychological disorders, that can occur if PTSD is left untreated.

If you are looking for a counsellor or psychologist who provides  trauma counselling to address your posttraumatic stress management issues you may want to search the directory to find a professional whose approach will suit you best.

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

Dawna Silver

M.A., RCC
Hello, and thank you for taking the time to read my profile. If you are like many people who seek therapy, you are struggling. Maybe you are in a time of crisis in your life. Something has happened out of the blue that... Read more

Lisa Woolgar

M.Ed., RCC
    • Online booking
If you're suffering through a loss, or feeling emotionally overwhelmed or stuck, I'm an Registered Clinical Counsellor who specializes in helping people navigate even their most challenging emotions, felt... Read more

Rachel Moxham

M.A., RCC
    • Video on profile
My relational and feminist approach to counselling emphasizes the mutual formation of people through their relationships. With it, I support you in finding your own self in the tangle of relations with friends, family,... Read more

Elaine Zbitniff

M.A., RCC
Elaine is a registered clinical counsellor and has former experience as a registered nurse in the specialties burns and plastic surgery unit and in a hospice. Her knowledge as a nurse has been informative to... Read more

Colette Mrazek

M.Ed., RCC
    • Online booking
My counselling career began over 20 years ago and since then, I have worked in a variety of settings with many different populations, such as youth at risk, children who have been orphaned, young parents,... Read more

Gretal Montgomery

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
Gretal provides phone and video/virtual counselling to clients across British Columbia. She offers individual counselling to youth (12+) and adults. She identifies as a culturally responsive counsellor for BIPOC... Read more

Sarah Corrin

M.A., RCC
Somatic Psychotherapy: Resolution and Transformation of Trauma by listening to the Wisdom of our Bodies - Reclaiming Wellbeing, Vitality and Joy   It takes courage to explore one’s inner world... Read more
    • Online booking
Bronwyn is a caring and compassionate psychotherapist in private practice in Vernon, BC. She offers an approach which is uniquely tailored to each client and their therapeutic goals.  Ranging from Eastern... Read more

Huda Sajjad

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
About Me My practice is grounded in an approach that is holistic and collaborative. I believe that all people have the ability to heal and grow. I offer my clients support and guidance to access and trust their inner... Read more

Andrew Herfst

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
*I provide an Online / Telephone counselling option* I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors and a Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) with the Canadian... Read more

Brenda Adams

M.D., RCC
    • Video on profile
Dr. Brenda Adams is a Registered Clinical Counsellor who sees clients at her office in Duncan. Her main interests are working with people who have experienced violence and abuse, traumatic responses to other forms of... Read more

Mehran Seyed Emami

M.A., RCC
I am a BC Registered Clinical Counsellor (No. 18736) and Canadian Certified Counsellor (No. 10007447). I'm also a Certified Practitioner of Compassionate Inquiry (a model developed by Dr. Gabor Maté), and... Read more

Zakia Ovington

M.Couns., RCC
    • Online booking
As a dedicated therapist at Future Focus Therapist, my practice is centered on fostering emotional well-being, nurturing authentic self-leadership, and facilitating trauma recovery. I understand that each client's... Read more

Lizelle Badenhorst

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
I have a passion for exploring and finding the power of our minds to help us heal. I immigrated to Canada in my early thirties and have experienced loss in my life. These experiences have shaped who I am as a person and... Read more

Catherine Hollifield

M.Couns., RCC
    • Online booking
I am a private practice counsellor and school counsellor with over 10 years of experience. In private practice I focus on working with adults and youth 13+. Creativity and spontaneity infuse my work. I am an ideas... Read more

Emmalee Brunt

M.Couns., RCC
    • Online booking
Emmalee offers in person counselling in Victoria, BC, as well as phone and online video counselling sessions for clients across British Columbia. She works with individual clients and welcomes clients from all gender... Read more

Amy Rappaport

M.S.W., RCC
Welcome! I work with people experiencing a variety of life transitions and life struggles.  A stressful life event, life change, or a recent loss can make it feel like your bottom has fallen out from under... Read more

Agata Burdziuk

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
COUNSELLING ~ PSYCHOTHERAPY ~ SOUL WORK Agata holds a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology and is a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors and a past member of the... Read more

Marco Ma

MCP, RCC
    • Online booking
I am a compassionate and dedicated Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC # 17221) affiliated with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors. With the expertise in individual and couple therapy, I tailor my... Read more