Grief and Loss Therapy in Alberta
Grief can arrive like a wave, or sit like a weight you carry everywhere. Some days you might feel almost okay. Others, it's hard to breathe. And sometimes the world seems to expect you to move on long before you're ready.
There's no right way to grieve, and no deadline. KP Psychological offers online grief therapy for adults across Alberta, including Edmonton and Calgary, by secure video, for people who are physically in Alberta at the time of each session.
What grief can feel like
Grief is a natural response to loss. The NHS notes that there's no right or wrong way to feel. Common reactions include:
- shock and numbness, often at first
- overwhelming sadness, with lots of crying
- tiredness or exhaustion
- anger, at the situation, at others, or at yourself
- guilt, and replaying what you could have done differently
- trouble sleeping, eating or concentrating
You may have heard of "stages" of grief, such as denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. Many people move back and forth between these feelings rather than through them in order. Acceptance doesn't mean you like what happened.
Different kinds of loss
Grief isn't only about death. It can follow the end of a relationship, a serious illness, a miscarriage or pregnancy loss, the loss of a job, a career or a sense of who you were. All of these can deserve care.
Sudden or traumatic loss. When a death is sudden, violent or witnessed, grief can tangle with trauma. You might have intrusive images or feel on edge, alongside the sadness. Read more about trauma and PTSD therapy.
Loss in the line of duty. First responders and Veterans and military members may lose colleagues, patients or friends, sometimes many over a career. Grief can build up, and it can come with moral injury: the distress of feeling you couldn't do what was right. The VAC Assistance Service offers free, 24/7 support to Veterans, former RCMP members and their families at 1-800-268-7708.
When grief doesn't ease
For most people, grief changes over time. It doesn't disappear, but it becomes easier to carry. For some, it stays intense and disabling for a long time.
The American Psychiatric Association describes prolonged grief disorder, which in adults applies when the loss happened at least a year ago and intense grief still gets in the way of daily life. Signs include feeling as though part of yourself has died, intense loneliness, and finding it hard to re-engage with life. The APA estimates that 4% to 15% of bereaved adults experience these persistent symptoms. The World Health Organization's ICD-11 also includes prolonged grief disorder.
You don't need to meet any of these criteria to reach out. If grief is weighing on you, that's reason enough.
What the research says helps
Support that fits the need. Many people find their way through grief with the support of family, friends and community. The NHS suggests talking about your feelings with someone you trust, and regular exercise to help mood and sleep.
Therapy for grief that stays stuck. For prolonged grief, the American Psychiatric Association notes that treatments using elements of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) have been found to reduce symptoms. Prolonged grief therapy focuses on accepting the reality of the loss and on restoration: finding your way back to a life with meaning.
When trauma is part of the loss. If the death was traumatic, trauma-focused therapy such as EMDR may help with distressing images and memories. Research on EMDR for grief itself is limited, so we'd use it for the trauma part of your experience.
How we can help
We start by understanding where you are now, what you have been carrying, and what you want to feel different. Then we plan together, at a pace that feels bearable.
Grief therapy may include:
- making room for your grief, without rushing it
- honouring your relationship with the person or what you lost
- working with guilt, anger and "what ifs"
- easing traumatic images or memories, when a loss was sudden or violent
- rebuilding routines, connection and meaning over time
In this video, Kyle guides a short exercise that can help when grief feels overwhelming in your body.
Who you'd see
You'd work with Kyle Poon, R.Psych. Grief is one of the areas he works with, alongside trauma, PTSD and the losses that come with front-line and military work. Kyle currently has a waitlist, and the free consult is a good time to talk about timing.
What therapy looks like here
Sessions are 50 minutes, by secure video. How often we meet is up to you. We work it out together, based on what fits you best, including your finances and your coverage.
A session with Kyle is $250. Alberta Health Care doesn't cover psychologists, but many extended health plans do, and we can bill most insurance companies directly. See fees and insurance for details.
Common questions
How long does grief last?
There's no set timeline. Grief usually softens with time, though anniversaries and reminders can bring it back. If it isn't easing, or it's making daily life very hard, it's worth talking to someone.
Is it normal to feel angry or guilty?
Yes. Anger and guilt are common parts of grief. Therapy can help you make sense of them without judgment.
Can therapy help if the loss was a long time ago?
Yes. Some people come to therapy years after a loss, especially when grief has stayed stuck or was never given space.
What if the death was traumatic?
When a loss was sudden, violent or witnessed, trauma and grief can mix. We can work with both, including trauma-focused approaches such as EMDR when they fit.
Do you bill insurance directly?
We can bill most insurance companies directly, so you only pay the part your plan doesn't cover. Tell us your plan at your free consult, and we'll confirm before your first session.
Book a free 15-minute consultation
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