Grief is the natural response to losing someone or something we love. Most people think of grief as what happens after a death, and that is often where it begins. But grief can also follow a divorce, a miscarriage, a job loss, a move, a serious diagnosis, the end of a friendship, or the loss of the life you expected to have.
There is no “right” way to grieve, and there’s no set timeline. Grief isn’t a problem to be fixed. It’s a reflection of love and connection. Still, it can feel overwhelming, and no one should have to carry it alone.
What Does Grief Feel Like?
Grief touches every part of us. Emotionally, people often describe sadness, numbness, anger, guilt, anxiety, or even relief, sometimes all in the same day. Physically, grief can show up as exhaustion, trouble sleeping, changes in appetite, headaches, or a heavy feeling in the chest. It can make it hard to concentrate, remember things, or make decisions, which many people call “grief brain.” Grief can also shift how we relate to others, leading some people to withdraw while others feel a strong need for connection.
You may have heard of the “five stages of grief”: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. These can be helpful words, but grief rarely moves in a straight line. It tends to come in waves, and it’s common to feel like you’re doing better, then suddenly be hit by a memory, a song, or an anniversary.
Different Kinds of Grief
Grief looks different for everyone, and some types of grief can be especially hard to carry.
Anticipatory grief happens before a loss, such as when a loved one is living with a terminal illness or dementia. You may find yourself grieving someone who is still here.
Traumatic grief can follow a sudden, unexpected, or violent loss, like an accident, overdose, or suicide. Grief and trauma can become tangled together, with intrusive images, nightmares, or feeling constantly on edge.
Disenfranchised grief is grief that others may not recognize or validate. This can include pregnancy loss, the death of a pet, the loss of an ex-partner, or losses experienced by 2SLGBTQIA+ people whose relationships were not acknowledged.
Prolonged grief (sometimes called complicated grief) is when intense grief continues for a long time and makes it very difficult to function in daily life. Prolonged grief disorder is now a recognized diagnosis, typically considered when intense longing or preoccupation with the person who died continues for a year or more for adults.
How Grief Affects Children and Families
Children grieve too, but they often express it differently than adults. A child might seem fine one moment and upset the next, act out, regress to younger behaviours, have trouble at school, or ask the same questions over and over. Teens may pull away from family or keep their feelings private.
Grief also changes family systems. When everyone in a household is hurting at once, it can be hard for parents to support their children while managing their own loss. Couples may find they grieve in very different ways, which can create distance at a time when connection matters most. Family and couples therapy can help everyone feel heard and find ways to grieve together.
When Should You Reach Out for Grief Support?
You don’t need to wait until things feel unmanageable to talk to someone. Grief therapy can help at any point. That said, it may be a good time to reach out if your grief feels stuck or is getting harder over time, if you’re having trouble sleeping, working, or caring for yourself or your family, if you feel intense guilt, anger, or numbness that won’t lift, if the loss was sudden or traumatic and you’re experiencing flashbacks or nightmares, or if you’re relying on alcohol or other substances to cope.
How Grief Therapy Can Help
Grief therapy offers a safe space to talk about your loss, your loved one, and everything that has changed. It isn’t about “moving on” or forgetting. It’s about finding ways to carry your grief, honour your connection, and slowly rebuild a life that has room for both loss and hope.
At The Healing Collective, our therapists draw on a range of evidence-based approaches and tailor them to each person:
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) can be especially helpful when grief is tied to trauma, such as a sudden death or a painful final memory, helping those memories feel less overwhelming.
Narrative therapy helps you tell the story of your loss and your loved one in your own words, and explore how that relationship continues to shape who you are.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) supports you in making room for painful feelings while reconnecting with what matters most to you.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) can help with the anxiety, guilt, and “what if” thoughts that often come with grief.
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) supports couples and families to turn toward each other in their grief instead of away.
Meet Our Grief & Bereavement Therapists
At The Healing Collective, grief support is a team effort. Our therapists each bring their own background and approach, so we can match you with the person who fits your needs. Here are some members of our grief and bereavement team.
Janine Cole, Registered Psychotherapist
Janine supports people through grief and loss of any kind, along with the big life changes that often come with it, such as separation, new relationships, parenting, and caregiving. She believes that simply being present with someone as they adjust to their “new normal” can be some of the most meaningful support there is. Janine brings compassion, honesty, and humour to her sessions, and trained at the Gestalt Institute of Toronto. She works with individuals 16 and older, offering online therapy across Ontario and in-person sessions near Woodbine Station. Read more about Janine.
Susan Anstice, MSW, RSW, Psychotherapist
Susan specializes in loss, grief, and bereavement, with particular experience supporting people affected by a MAiD (Medical Assistance in Dying) loss and those planning for MAiD. She also supports caregivers navigating elder care, dementia care, and end-of-life care, where grief often begins long before a loss. Susan works with adults and offers mostly virtual sessions, with some in-person availability. Read more about Susan.
Kwaku Agyeman, Registered Psychotherapist
Kwaku is a Registered Psychotherapist who also shares mental health education through his Black Millennial Therapist platform. Read more about Kwaku.
Joanna Panayotopoulos, Registered Psychotherapist
Joanna offers psychotherapy for adults and is also a yoga therapist. Because grief lives in the body as much as the mind, her work can support people who feel their loss as exhaustion, tension, or restlessness. Read more about Joanna.
Not Sure Who to Choose?
That’s okay. Our full grief and bereavement team includes many more therapists, and we’ll help match you with the right person, with no waitlist. Explore our Grief & Bereavement services.
No-Waitlist Grief Therapy Across Ontario
When you’re grieving, waiting weeks or months for support can feel impossible. That’s why The Healing Collective offers no-waitlist therapy for residents across Ontario. We provide support for children, adults, couples, and families, so whether you’re grieving on your own or as a family, there’s a place for you here.
If you’re ready to talk, or even if you’re just wondering whether grief therapy is right for you, we’re here. Book a session with our grief therapist today.
Frequently Asked Questions About Grief
How long does grief last?
There’s no set timeline. Many people find the intensity softens over time, but grief can resurface around anniversaries, holidays, and milestones. That is normal.
Is it normal to feel angry or relieved after a death?
Yes. Grief brings a wide range of emotions, including anger, guilt, and relief, especially after a long illness. These feelings don’t mean you loved the person any less.
Can my child see a grief therapist?
Yes. Our therapists work with children and teens and can also support parents in helping their kids through loss.
Do you offer virtual grief therapy?
Yes, we offer secure virtual sessions for residents anywhere in Ontario.