From Grief to Growth: Why I Chose to Become a Counsellor

There are moments in life that shape us quietly, and others that crack everything open. For me, it was the day I lost my dad. I was ten years old, just a child and yet I remember that day with the sharpness and ache of something unforgettable. He wasn’t just my father; he was my best friend, my safety, my comfort. And suddenly, he was gone.

In the years that followed, I became very good at being “fine.” I smiled. I stayed strong. I did what I was supposed to do. But underneath it all, I was carrying a weight that no one could see. There wasn’t space to talk about grief in the way I needed. No one asked me how I was really doing. No one sat with me in the silence, in the messiness, in the ache.

That experience stayed with me, not just as a painful memory, but as a guiding force. It showed me how deeply we all need to be held, seen, and supported when life unravels. It taught me that pain doesn’t disappear just because time passes. And most importantly, it planted the seed that would one day become Serenity Haven Counselling.

Today, I’m a Registered Professional Counsellor based in Vancouver, offering a space I once needed, a space where it’s okay to not have the answers, to feel lost, to cry, to question, and to simply be. I work with adults and young adults navigating grief, trauma, anxiety, identity, relationship struggles, and everything in between. My approach is warm, nonjudgmental, and deeply client-centred, because I believe healing looks different for everyone.

This work isn’t just a career for me, it’s personal. I know what it’s like to feel alone in your pain. I know how hard it can be to ask for help, to trust someone with your truth. And I also know the quiet magic that can happen when you take that first brave step toward healing.

Therapy isn’t about fixing you, because you’re not broken. It’s about reconnecting with your inner strength, your voice, your story. It’s about gently unpacking the weight you’ve been carrying and learning to breathe a little easier. Sometimes, it’s about grieving what was lost. Other times, it’s about imagining something new.

Whether you're in the middle of a storm or just starting to process what you've been through, you are welcome here. Your pain matters. Your healing matters. And I would be honoured to walk alongside you on this journey.

Thank you for being here and for allowing me to share my heart. If my story resonates with you, I invite you to reach out, even if you’re not sure where to begin. We can take it one gentle step at a time, together.

With warmth and compassion,
Elnaz Reyhani, RPC Student
Founder & Counsellor, Serenity Haven Counselling