Grief and Bereavement Counselling
The process of dealing with a significant loss can vary dramatically from one person to another. You don’t have to cope with your grief alone.
We are glad you found your way to us. If you are reading this section of our website, chances are you have experienced a major loss in your life. We want you to know that all of your feelings are okay and we can provide a safe and welcoming place for you to grieve.
What is grieving?
Grief is the natural response to the loss of someone or something very important to you whereas grieving is the process of adjustment that you go through after a loss.
Grief and bereavement counselling is for anyone who has experienced a loss, regardless of how recently or how long ago the loss took place.
It is a personal experience and depending on who you are and the nature of your loss, your process of grieving will be different from another person’s experience. There is no ‘normal or expected’ period of time for grieving.
“ Grief never ends… but it changes. It’s a passage, not a place to stay. Grief is not a sign of weakness, nor a lack of faith… it is the price of love. “
-Author Unknown
Grief counselling is for:
People who have experienced the death of someone close to them
Those who have experienced the death of a child, a spouse/partner, a parent, a close friend, a pregnancy, or even a beloved pet
Those who have experienced loss through divorce, family estrangement, job loss, retirement, or loss of physical ability or health
Why choose grief counselling?
Grief counselling focuses on helping you work through the grieving process after a major loss including: learning about grief and what to expect when grieving; expressing feelings; building new relationships, and developing a new sense of self after a loss. Whatever you are feeling and thinking and for however long you have been feeling and thinking this way, you will be encouraged to share, vent and feel validated in your grief. After a significant loss, most people are concerned with how to continue living their life in a meaningful and fulfilled way. Grief counselling can help you navigate towards that goal.
How we can help
Grief counselling first and foremost creates a safe and open space for you to share your feelings. There is no judgement here and no reliance on a timeline or stages of grief.
Let’s talk about it!
Grief can be an intensely vulnerable time and we will strive to help you to feel safe. Alternatively, grief can sometimes make people close up and harden – for fear that their feelings are too much for them (or others) to handle. Our grief counsellors will work with you slowly and thoughtfully, at your pace, to help you understand how grief fits in the context of your life moving forward. You will never be encouraged to forget your loss or simply “move on”. Integrating your loss into your future is a vital component of your journey of grief. Our therapists are warm, compassionate and non-judgmental. When and if you are ready, they will help you to see the meaning in your loss and help you to heal through a deep understanding of the impact of the person (or place/thing/role) in your life. This will allow you to live your life carrying with you the gifts and challenges that the subject of your loss brought into your life. It is our experience that this process brings about relief, healing and growth.
Bereavement of a loved one
The loss of a loved one always happens in the context of our relationship with that person. Grief counselling can help you to process complicated, difficult, or unresolved issues in your relationship with the person who died. Relationship issues may have been recognized as troublesome when the person was alive. Or perhaps it’s only since the death that you have become aware of complicated patterns in the relationship. Don’t carry these heavy, complicated issues with you as you move forward. Grief counselling will help you process the issues, experience the emotions, and heal from the pain.
It only takes one step.
Sometimes in grief the emotions are so stuck or intense that it can be helpful to work with a mental health professional. Please don’t hesitate to reach out. When you’re ready we can help.
Average Cost
$120.00 - $150.00 (per session)*
*Lower rates are available through our Affordable Counselling program
Want to Know More?
Guide to Loss and Grief
Resources
Canadian Virtual Hospice MyGrief.ca
CMHA National Grieving
Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association Bereavement Resources
KidsGrief.ca Talking with kids and teens about dying and death
Articles
Huff Post Bereavement Days Should Extend To Loss Of a Family Pet