Grief is a natural, often deeply painful response to loss. While we most commonly associate it with the death of a loved one, grief can also arise from other significant losses—such as divorce, miscarriage, the end of a relationship, a diagnosis, or even the loss of identity or safety. It is a deeply personal and non-linear process, affecting each person in unique ways.

Bereavement refers specifically to the period of mourning and adjustment following the death of someone close. During this time, individuals may experience a wide range of emotions—shock, sadness, anger, guilt, numbness, anxiety, or even moments of peace. The physical effects of grief can include fatigue, disrupted sleep, appetite changes, or increased vulnerability to illness. Socially, people may withdraw or feel isolated, especially if they feel others do not understand their pain.

Loss can also challenge one’s sense of meaning, beliefs, and purpose. In some cases, especially with traumatic or complicated losses, people may feel “stuck” in their grief or experience prolonged symptoms such as persistent yearning, guilt, or difficulty functioning in daily life.

Grief counselling provides a compassionate and structured space to process this pain. It helps individuals explore their loss, name and normalize their emotional responses, and make sense of what life looks like after such a significant change. Counselling does not “fix” or erase grief—it honours it, helps people carry it more gently, and over time, integrate it into their lives in a meaningful way.

In therapy, clients may learn to:

  • Acknowledge the reality of the loss

  • Express and regulate their emotions

  • Explore unfinished business or regrets

  • Develop rituals or memorials

  • Rebuild identity and daily routines

  • Discover new sources of connection, meaning, and hope

There is no “right” way to grieve, and timelines vary. What matters is creating space for the grief to be seen, heard, and tended to without judgment. Whether the loss occurred recently or years ago, grief counselling can be a powerful step in healing.

At its core, grief is a reflection of love. Counselling offers a safe place to honour that love, name the pain of its absence, and gently discover how to live with both.

grief and bereavement

To speak to a therapist about your journey with loss, grief, or bereavement, book with:

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Book with Shari
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Book with Dan