Grief Counselling
in Ontario
Types of Grief
Here are some common types of grief.
-
Normal Grief – A natural response to loss, with emotions ranging from sadness to acceptance.
-
Anticipatory Grief – Felt before a loss, often due to terminal illness.
-
Complicated Grief – Intense, prolonged grief that disrupts daily life.
-
Disenfranchised Grief – Unrecognized by society.
-
Cumulative Grief – Multiple losses in a short time, leading to overwhelm.
-
Secondary Grief – Felt by those indirectly affected, like friends or family.
-
Collective Grief – Experienced by a community after a widespread tragedy.
-
Ambiguous Grief – Loss without closure.
-
Traumatic Grief – Sudden or violent loss, often linked to PTSD.
Types of Loss
Here are some common types of loss.
-
Death of a loved one
-
End of a relationship or breakup
-
Loss of a pet
-
Loss of safety, home, or financial security
-
Loss of health, independence, or physical ability
-
Loss of certainty
-
Loss of identity
-
Loss of childhood or innocence
-
Loss of trust
-
Loss of a dream, goal, or career
-
Loss of meaning or purpose
-
Loss of community, culture, or traditions
-
Loss of time
Common Symptoms of Grief
Grief can affect the body, mind, and emotions in different ways:
-
Physical: Fatigue, headaches, muscle aches, digestive issues, weakened immunity.
-
Sleep & Appetite: Insomnia, nightmares, excessive sleep, loss or increase in appetite.
-
Emotional: Intense sadness, despair, guilt, regret, anger, or emotional numbness.
-
Cognitive: Confusion, difficulty concentrating, intrusive thoughts, existential questioning.
-
Behavioral: Social withdrawal, communication changes, increased irritability, crying spells.
-
Spiritual: Feeling abandoned by a higher power, loss of faith or meaning.
Benefits of Grief Counselling
-
You Don’t Have to Grieve Alone – Grief is natural, necessary, and deeply human—but it can also feel isolating, painful, and confusing. Having a supportive guide can make the process feel safer to navigate.
-
Grief Has No Timeline – Grief is non-linear and unfolds in its own way. Therapy helps you make space for it without the pressure to perform or "do it right."
-
Your Mind and Body Hold Grief – Loss affects not just emotions but also the body and nervous system. Therapy supports these changes and helps with the parts of you that may resist grief.
-
An Ongoing Relationship to What’s Been Lost – Loss doesn’t erase connection. Therapy offers space to explore how you carry forward what matters—whether through memory, ritual, or meaning-making.
-
Honoring Secondary and Older Losses – Grief can awaken past wounds—abandonment, security, self-worth—while also bringing new losses tied to the present. Therapy helps you tend to both.
-
Finding Stability Amid the Uncertainty – When grief feels overwhelming, therapy helps you steady yourself with tools to navigate it.
-
Reimagining Life After Loss – Therapy supports you in reimagining your relationships—with yourself, with others, with play, pleasure, purpose, and even with the courage to hope.
Use the form below to book a free 15-minute consultation call.
If you don't see a reply, check your spam or junk folder.