Anticipatory Grief &
End-of-life Counselling
Anticipatory grief is the grief that can arise before a loss occurs.
It often happens when someone you care about is living with a serious or terminal illness, facing end-of-life changes, or nearing death.
This kind of grief can feel confusing and isolating, especially when the person you are grieving is still alive.
You may notice waves of sadness, fear, tenderness, guilt, exhaustion, or uncertainty alongside moments of connection and hope.
Anticipatory grief and end-of-life counselling offer a steady and compassionate space to acknowledge these experiences without needing to minimize or justify them.
Sessions are available in person in Victoria and online across British Columbia.
Grieving Before a Loss Is Still Grief
Anticipatory grief can feel difficult to name or explain.
You may feel sorrow for what is coming while still sharing moments of connection, love, and presence.
These experiences often coexist, creating an emotional landscape that can feel heavy to carry alone.
Some people may also be navigating grief related to Medical Assistane in Dying (MAiD), caregiving, or preparing for the loss of a beloved companion animal.
In anticipatory grief and end-of-life counselling, there is space to speak openly about what you are carrying.
There is no expectation to stay positive, to prepare perfectly, or to manage your emotions in a particular way.
Your experience is allowed to unfold at its own pace.
Understanding Anticipatory Grief
Time and
the Future Can Feel Different
You may notice shifts in how you relate to time, the future, or your sense of safety.
Some moments may feel unusually precious, while others may feel heavy or difficult to stay in. There can also be a sense of uncertainty or anxiety about what is coming and when.
Planning ahead can feel overwhelming, especially when part of you is trying to stay present with what is here now.
Conflicting Emotions Are Common
You may feel grief before a loss has happened, alongside moments of relief, gratitude, or even brief moments of ease.
Holding these different feelings at once can feel confusing. It is a very human response to caring for someone while also knowing that loss is approaching.
Roles and Identity
May Shift
You may find yourself taking on new roles, such as caregiving or decision-making, while still holding your relationship with them.
This can feel like a lot to carry, both practically and emotionally.
How Counselling Can Support You
Anticipatory grief and end-of-life counselling offer a calm and collaborative space to explore what it is like to live with an impending loss.
We move gently, guided by what feels most present for you in each session.
Our conversations may include making room for grief while also attending to moments of connection, care, or rest.
We may explore fears about the future, changes in relationships, or the emotional weight of uncertainty.
For some, counselling offers space to reflect on legacy, love, unfinished conversations, or what feels important now.
We may also gently attend to how your body responds to prolonged stress and emotional strain. Anticipatory grief can live in the nervous system, showing up as fatigue, tension, restlessness, or difficulty settling.
Together, we notice these experiences with care, without trying to force change or resolution.
My approach is collaborative, compassionate, and paced according to what feels right for you.
You are never required to share more than you feel safe with, and your boundaries are respected throughout our work together.
What To Expect in Sessions
A Space to
Slow Down
Sessions offer space to pause and take in the emotional weight of anticipatory grief and impending loss.
There is no need to rush, figure things out, or hold everything together here.
Guided by
What Is Present
You do not need to have answers to begin.
We start with what feels most present for you, whether that is a feeling, a thought, or simply the weight of the moment.
Holding
What Is Hard, Gently
This space allows room for the complexity of anticipatory grief, caregiving, and preparing for loss.
You do not have to hold it all on your own.
When you’re ready,
I’m here to support you.
