Grief Therapists in Ottawa, ON

What is grief and when does it need professional support?

Grief is the natural emotional response to loss — most commonly the death of a loved one, but also the loss of a relationship, a job, health, or a major life change. While grief is a normal human experience, professional support is helpful when grief is prolonged, intense, or significantly interfering with daily life, relationships, or the ability to function. A therapist offers a safe space to process loss at your own pace, without judgment.

What types of loss can grief therapy help with?

Grief therapy addresses a wide range of losses: the death of a parent, partner, child, sibling, or friend; pregnancy loss and infertility; the end of a significant relationship; loss of identity following illness, injury, or retirement; and disenfranchised grief — losses that may not be widely recognized, such as the death of a pet or estrangement from family. No loss is too small or too large to deserve support.

What is complicated grief and how is it treated?

Complicated grief (also called prolonged grief disorder) occurs when acute grief does not ease over time and persists with significant intensity for six months or more after a loss. It may involve intense longing, difficulty accepting the death, bitterness, or an inability to engage with life. Complicated grief is treated with specialized approaches such as Complicated Grief Treatment (CGT), which combines exposure work with strategies for rebuilding a meaningful life.

What does a grief therapy session look like?

Grief sessions are generally less structured than approaches like CBT — they are guided by what feels most present and necessary for you in each session. You might talk about the person or thing you lost, explore memories, work through difficult emotions like guilt or anger, or discuss what life looks like going forward. Your therapist's role is to witness, support, and gently help you integrate the loss into your ongoing life.

How long does grief counselling take?

There is no set timeline for grief — it is as individual as the relationship that was lost. Some people find 6–12 sessions sufficient to process a loss and find their footing; others benefit from longer-term support, particularly after sudden, traumatic, or multiple losses. Grief does not follow a linear path, and your therapist will meet you where you are rather than expecting you to follow a predictable sequence.