Anticipatory Grief Counselling
Anticipatory grief is the grief that arises before a loss occurs. It often shows up when someone you love is living with a life-limiting illness, facing a serious diagnosis, or nearing the end of life. This kind of grief can feel confusing and isolating, especially when the person you are grieving is still alive.
Many people notice a quiet, ongoing ache that exists alongside daily life. You may feel waves of sadness, fear, tenderness, gratitude, or guilt — sometimes all at once. Anticipatory grief counselling offers 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.
Here, anticipatory grief is understood as a natural response to loving someone when loss is approaching.
UNDERSTANDING ANTICIPATORY GRIEF
Time and the Future Can Feel Different
Anticipatory grief often affects how you relate to time and the future. Planning ahead may feel overwhelming, while ordinary moments can feel unusually precious or painfully fragile. You may find yourself living between what is and what you know is coming.
Conflicting Emotions Are Common
Many people experience guilt for grieving before a death has occurred or feel conflicted about moments of relief or gratitude. Others feel pressure to stay strong, hopeful, or positive for loved ones. These responses are not signs of disloyalty or weakness — they reflect the complexity of love and care.
Roles and
Identity
May Shift
Anticipatory grief often affects how you relate to time and the future. Planning may feel overwhelming, while ordinary moments can feel unusually precious or painfully fragile. You may find yourself living between what is and what you know is coming.
How Anticipatory Grief Counselling May Support You
Anticipatory grief counselling offers 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, meaning, 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.
Anticipatory grief can also live in the body. Fatigue, tension, restlessness, or difficulty settling are common responses to prolonged emotional strain. 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. Your boundaries are respected, and you are never required to share more than feels safe.
What To Expect in Sessions
A Calm and Supportive Space
Sessions offer a respectful, steady environment where your experience is held with care. There is no expectation to arrive at acceptance, or emotional clarity within a particular timeframe.
Led by What You Are Carrying
Some sessions may focus on grief, fear, or sorrow. Others may centre on presence, connection, or simply having a place where you do not need to hold everything together.
Accompaniment in Uncertainty
Anticipatory grief counselling offers accompaniment rather than answers. Silence, reflection, emotion, and uncertainty are all welcome, honoured as part of the process.
When you're ready, I'm here
Let’s work together to begin your healing journey today.
