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Grief and Loss Counselling

Grief is one of the hardest things we experience as humans. Whether it’s the loss of a loved one, a major life change, or the loss of something deeply meaningful to you, grief touches everyone differently.

 

At Get Reconnected Psychotherapy Services, we offer a space where you can explore your feelings, find support, and start to heal at your own pace.

grief-counselling

Understanding Grief - Loss and Grief

Grief is a natural response to loss. It’s not just about losing a loved one —it can also come from changes in your life that leave you feeling untethered or uncertain about the future. Common causes of loss and grief include:

  • Death of a loved one or pet
  • Relationship changes: Separation, divorce, or a falling out
  • Major life changes: Losing a job, retiring, or moving
  • Health struggles: Chronic illness, infertility, or pregnancy loss

 

No matter the source, grief is complex. It can show up as sadness, anger, guilt, numbness, or even physical exhaustion. And it’s okay to feel all of it —or none of it. Normal grief can take many forms, and each way to grieve is valid.

Different Types of Grief

Grief looks different for everyone. Here are some forms of grief that people might not always recognize or talk about

Disenfranchised Grief

This happens when your loss isn’t openly acknowledged by others, making it feel even harder to talk about or process.

  • Losing a job or career that gave you purpose
  • The death of a pet who felt like part of your family
  • Miscarriage or pregnancy loss, which can feel especially isolating

Prospective Grief

Sometimes, grief is tied to what might happen in the future. It’s a mix of mourning what you’ve lost and worrying about what’s ahead.

  • Infertility, and the sadness of not knowing if your dream of parenthood will happen
  • Pregnancy loss, and the fear of facing another loss in the future

 

Both types of grief can feel lonely. You might feel like others don’t understand or that you need to “move on” faster than you’re ready. A mental health professional or grief counselor can help you process these feelings in a way that feels right for you.

Complicated Grief

Sometimes, grief feels even harder because of how the loss happened. If the loss was sudden, violent, or deeply upsetting, it can leave you feeling stuck in shock, fear, or even anger. This form of complicated grief is also called traumatic grief.

  • A sudden accident or unexpected medical emergency
  • Loss due to violence or a natural disaster
  • Witnessing something distressing related to the loss

Complicated grief may make it tough to process your emotions. You might feel like you’re replaying the event over and over, or struggling to come to terms with your loss. Therapy can give you a safe space to work through these feelings and help you process the loss.

How Grief Counselling Can Help

Grief therapy isn’t about ‘fixing’ your feelings or telling you to get over your loss. It’s about creating a space where you can:

  • Understand Your Emotions: Grief is complicated. We’ll help you explore your feelings without judgment.
  • Learn Ways to Cope: When the pain feels overwhelming, we’ll work on simple, practical strategies to help you get through each day.
  • Reconnect with Your Life: Grief changes you, but it doesn’t have to define you. Together, we’ll find ways to honour your loss while creating space for hope and meaning.

Grief Counselling Techniques

Therapy is as unique as your grief. During your first session, we’ll talk about what brought you here, what’s been hardest, and what you hope to get out of therapy. From there, we’ll work together to create a plan that feels supportive and manageable. Some approaches we might use include:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

To help with overwhelming or negative thoughts

Mindfulness Practices

For staying present during tough moments

Narrative Therapy

To help you reframe your story in a way that feels meaningful

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART)

to process distressing memories and ease emotional pain

Talk Therapy

to give you a space to express your thoughts and feelings freely

These approaches can help you manage prolonged grief and navigate the grieving process in a way that feels right for you.

The goal isn’t to “move on.” It’s to find a way forward that feels true to you.

The Five Stages of Grief

Many people are familiar with the five stages of grief —denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. While not everyone experiences these stages in the same order, they can help you understand your grief reaction and the different emotions that come with loss. In therapy, we can talk about where you are in your grieving process and what you need to feel supported.

Why Choose Us?

Flexible Virtual Therapy

Get support from the comfort of your own home, anywhere in Ontario.

Experienced, Understanding Therapists

We’ll meet you wherever you are in your grieving.

No Judgment, Just Support

Your loss is valid, and we’re here to help you heal at your own pace.

You Don’t Have to Go Through This Alone

Grief is tough, but you don’t have to face it by yourself. Whether your loss is fresh or something you’ve carried for years, therapy can help you find peace and connection.

Let’s Start When You’re Ready.
Book a Free Consultation to talk about what you’re going through and how we can help.