Grief & Therapy for Men in Calgary

Why This Blog Matters

Loss can take various forms and often be complicated. Particularly for men, grief is one
of life’s hardest emotional experiences because it’s one of the most invisible. Whether
you’ve lost a loved one, a relationship, a beloved pet, or you feel like you’ve lost
yourself, it’s common to feel disconnected, emotionally shut down, or like you don’t
even know who you are anymore.

At Shelly Qualtieri & Associates, we’re here to change that. Meet Your Therapist Smyrna Gonzalez, Registered Provisional Psychologist, specializes in men’s mental health, grief support, and emotional recovery. She offers in-person therapy in Calgary and virtual counselling across Alberta.

Why Men Often Grieve in Silence

Many men are taught not to cry, not to talk, and not to show their emotions.
But when grief strikes — through loss, divorce, death, or even pet loss — bottling it up
can lead to emotional numbness, burnout, or even depression.

Common signs of unspoken grief in men include:

🔵Anger or irritability
🔵Withdrawal and isolation
🔵Lack of motivation
🔵Trouble sleeping
🔵Emotional disconnection
🔵Substance or screen use to escape

Types of Grief That Bring Men to Therapy

1. Divorce or Breakup

The loss of a relationship often comes with guilt, shame, loneliness, and the pain of
losing time with your children. It can feel like losing your identity, too. Therapy helps
process those feelings and rebuild purpose.

2. Death of a Loved One
Whether you’ve lost a parent, spouse, sibling, or friend, the grief can hit hard. Many
men feel pressure to stay strong — but therapy offers a space where you don’t have to
pretend.

3. Pet Loss
The death of a dog, cat, or companion animal can trigger deep grief — and it’s often
minimized by others. For many men, pets are their emotional safe haven. Smyrna offers
compassionate support through this kind of unique loss.

4. Identity Loss or Life Transitions
Retirement, job loss, health changes, or kids leaving home can lead to grief that isn’t
always recognized. These moments matter — and you deserve help moving through
them.

Why Men’s Grief Deserves Specialized Support

Men grieve differently — and they need therapy that gets that. Smyrna’s work focuses on creating a non-judgmental, practical space where men can talk, process, and rebuild — without feeling pushed, pathologized, or pitied.

Therapy with Smyrna includes:
🔵Emotional tools that work in the real world
🔵Support for anger, guilt, or sadness
🔵Rebuilding your confidence and identity
🔵Coping strategies that don’t involve numbing or escaping
🔵A place where it’s OK to say, “I’m not OK.”

Who Is Smyrna Gonzalez?

🔵Registered Provisional Psychologist (Calgary)

🔵Specializing in grief, self-esteem, men’s emotional health, trauma, and anxiety

🔵Team member at Shelly Qualtieri & Associates

🔵Offering virtual counselling across Alberta + in-person sessions in Calgary
Smyrna’s therapy style is grounded, real, and compassionate. No pressure. No cliches.
Just evidence-based support that meets you where you’re at.

Real Therapy for Real Men

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐“I didn’t think therapy was for guys like me. But Smyrna helped me face things I’d buried
for years — and I actually feel lighter now.”
– Client, Calgary

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐“After my dog passed, I felt broken and stupid for how sad I was. Therapy helped me
honour my grief without shame.”
– Client, Virtual Client (Red Deer)

Ready to Talk? You Don’t Have to Do This Alone.

We get it. You’re supposed to hold it together.
But grief isn’t a weakness — it’s a signal. It means you loved, and something mattered.
Therapy is where healing begins.

Work With Smyrna Gonzalez | Calgary Registered Provisional Psychologist

🔵 Grief Therapy for Men
🔵In-Person in Calgary
🔵Virtual Across Alberta
🔵Private, Professional, and Real

📌Book a Free 30-Minute Consultation
(Or go straight to booking your first session.)

Smyrna Gonzalez, Registered Provisional Psychologist

"I am honoured to walk alongside you in your path to recovery and healing. I know that
opening up in therapy can be difficult and this process looks different for everyone. I am
excited to meet you where you are and provide tailored support to your unique needs
that feel comfortable for you. I look forward to working together!

Please feel free to book an initial intake session with me, or a 30-minute phone consult
using the link below."

https://shellyqualtieri.janeapp.com/locations/shelly-qualtieri-associates-counselling-
coaching-one-north-business-centre-nw/book#/staff_member/12

📞587.330.1155

Why Choose Us?

At Shelly Qualtieri & Associates, we offer therapy for men, women, couples, and teens
16+. Our clinic is known for:

🔵Trauma-informed, compassionate care
🔵Therapists with specialized training
🔵Evening & virtual appointments
🔵A team you can trust — for real, lasting change