Therapy for Grief & Loss

Support for Grief and Loss

Grief is one of the most profound emotional experiences a person can go through. It can affect how you think, feel, and move through daily life, often in ways that feel unpredictable and overwhelming. Whether you are grieving the death of a loved one, the end of a relationship, a major life transition, or another significant loss, the experience can bring waves of sadness, emptiness, confusion, anger, or numbness.

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Grief does not follow a straight line. Some days may feel manageable, while others can feel unexpectedly heavy or disorienting. Many people describe grief as feeling like their world has changed and nothing feels quite the same anymore.

At Aura Counselling, we provide grief and loss therapy for adolescents (14+) and adults in Kanata and Stittsville, and virtually across Ontario. Whether your loss is recent or something you have been carrying for a long time, therapy can offer a supportive space to process your emotions, make sense of your experience, and begin to rebuild a sense of meaning and connection in your life.

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What is Grief?

Grief is a natural emotional response to loss. While it is most commonly associated with bereavement, grief can also arise from many other types of life changes, including the end of a relationship, miscarriage or infertility, loss of health, job loss, or significant life transitions.

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Grief is not something to “get over,” but rather something to move through and integrate over time. It reflects the depth of our attachment and the meaning we placed on what has been lost.

Grief can affect mood, thoughts, physical health, relationships, identity, and one’s overall sense of safety in the world. It can also bring up complex emotions that may feel conflicting or difficult to name—such as sadness mixed with relief, anger, guilt, or emotional numbness.

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There is no “right” way to grieve. Everyone’s experience is shaped by their relationship to the loss, their support system, personal history, and coping resources. Therapy can help you understand your grief experience without judgment and support you in finding your own way forward.

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Signs and Symptoms of Grief

Grief can show up emotionally, cognitively, physically, and behaviourally. It may come in waves or feel constant, depending on the person and the nature of the loss.

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Emotional symptoms of grief may include:

• Deep sadness or sorrow

• Feelings of emptiness or emotional pain

• Shock or disbelief

• Anger or frustration

• Guilt or regret

• Anxiety or fear about the future

• Emotional numbness or detachment

• Yearning or longing for what has been lost

• Irritability or mood swings

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Cognitive symptoms of grief may include:

• Difficulty concentrating

• Forgetfulness or mental fog

• Preoccupation with thoughts of the loss

• Rumination or replaying memories

• Difficulty making decisions

• Feelings of confusion or disorientation

• Questioning meaning, identity, or beliefs

• Thoughts of “this doesn’t feel real”

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Physical and behavioural symptoms of grief may include:

• Fatigue or low energy

• Changes in sleep (sleeping too much or difficulty sleeping)

• Changes in appetite

• Physical heaviness or tension in the body

• Crying spells or emotional outbursts

• Withdrawing from others or social activities

• Difficulty maintaining routines

• Restlessness or feeling “on edge”

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Benefits of Grief Therapy

Grief therapy does not aim to erase loss, but rather to help you carry it in a way that feels more supported and manageable. It can provide space to process emotions, understand your experience, and reconnect with life at a pace that feels right for you.

 

Some potential benefits of grief therapy include:

• A safe space to process loss without judgment

• Better understanding of your grief responses

• Reduced feelings of isolation and emotional overwhelm

• Support navigating complex emotions such as guilt or anger

• Increased self-compassion during the grieving process

• Healthy coping strategies for managing waves of grief

• Support integrating the loss into your life story

• Improved emotional regulation and grounding skills

• Reconnection with meaning, values, and identity

• Support adjusting to life changes following loss

 

Rather than “moving on,” therapy can help you learn how to move forward while holding your loss in a meaningful and integrated way.

 

Grief Therapy for Adults

Grief in adulthood can take many forms and often intersects with responsibilities such as work, parenting, caregiving, and maintaining relationships. Many adults feel pressure to “stay strong” or return to normal functioning quickly, even when they are still deeply affected by their loss.

Adult grief may impact:

• Work performance and focus

• Parenting and family responsibilities

• Romantic relationships

• Social connection and isolation

• Sleep, energy, and physical wellbeing

• Sense of identity and purpose

• Emotional regulation and stress tolerance

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Some adults experience delayed grief, where emotions surface long after the loss, while others feel stuck in intense waves of grief that feel hard to manage. Therapy can offer space to slow down, process your experience, and learn how to navigate life while carrying your loss with care and support.

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Grief Therapy for Teens

Teens may experience grief differently than adults, and their reactions are not always easy to recognize. Grief in adolescence can show up as emotional withdrawal, irritability, academic difficulties, behavioural changes, or difficulty expressing feelings directly.

 

Grief therapy for teens can help with:

• Understanding and expressing emotions related to loss

• Coping with sadness, anger, or confusion

• Navigating changes in family or friendships

• Difficulty concentrating or declining school performance

• Social withdrawal or isolation

• Feelings of guilt or responsibility

• Adjusting to changes in identity and routine

• Building healthy coping strategies

 

Our therapists work collaboratively with teens to create a supportive and non-judgmental space where they can process their grief in a way that feels safe and developmentally appropriate.

 

Our Approach to Grief and Loss Counselling

At Aura Counselling, we recognize that grief is deeply personal and cannot be rushed or standardized. Each person’s experience of loss is unique, and therapy is tailored to meet you where you are in your process. 

 

Depending on your needs, grief therapy may incorporate:

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Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

CBT can help identify unhelpful thought patterns related to grief, such as self-blame or rigid beliefs about how grief “should” look, and support healthier, more balanced thinking.

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Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT)

EFT supports emotional processing and helps individuals connect with, understand, and work through the deeper layers of grief, including sadness, anger, guilt, and love.

 

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)

DBT skills can support emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and grounding during intense grief reactions or overwhelming emotional waves.

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Mindfulness-Based Approaches

Mindfulness can help you stay grounded in the present moment, reduce rumination, and develop a more compassionate relationship with your grief experience.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Grief Therapy

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How do I know if I need grief counselling?
You may benefit from grief therapy if your loss feels overwhelming, persistent, or disruptive to your daily life, relationships, or emotional wellbeing. Therapy can also be helpful even if your loss happened a long time ago.

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Is it normal that my grief doesn’t feel linear?
Yes. Grief often comes in waves and can change over time. It is common to experience periods of relief followed by sudden returns of sadness or emotional intensity.

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Can therapy help with grief that happened a long time ago?
Yes. Unresolved or unprocessed grief can surface months or even years later. Therapy can help you make sense of lingering emotions and support emotional healing at any stage.

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Do you offer virtual grief therapy?
Yes. We offer secure virtual therapy sessions across Ontario, allowing you to access support from a comfortable and private space.

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Book Your First Session

If you are navigating grief or loss, you do not have to go through it alone. Therapy can provide a supportive space to process your experience, honour what you have lost, and gently reconnect with life in a way that feels meaningful and sustainable.

Book an appointment today to begin grief therapy with a compassionate and supportive therapist.