Grief has a way of changing everything.
It doesn’t arrive politely or gradually. It hits—suddenly, unexpectedly, and with more weight than you ever imagined carrying. Whether you’re grieving the death of a loved one, the loss of a relationship, or a life that no longer exists the way it once did, the experience of grief can be all-consuming.
At Family-Therapy.ca, we offer grief therapy in Ottawa . As therapists, we’ve sat and talked with many individuals through the heartbreak of loss whether it’s your job, a pet, a loved one or even your dreams. As registered psychotherapists serving Ottawa and clients across Ontario, we hear one phrase again and again: “I wish someone had told me it would feel like this.”
These are the things we wish more people knew before grief arrived.
Grief Doesn’t Follow a Timeline
We often hear about the “stages of grief” and there can be steps to grief and there is even the cycle of grief. In reality there is NO clear path from denial to acceptance. When it comes to grief. The truth? Grief is non-linear. It can come in waves, circle back on itself, can show up months or even years later, and it can show up at unexpected times when you are not even sad.
You might feel okay one day and completely overwhelmed the next. This doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong—it means you’re human.
Grief Affects More Than Just Your Emotions
Grief isn’t just sadness. It can affect your body, memory, sleep, appetite, and ability to focus. Some people feel disconnected or numb. Others feel rage, guilt, or even relief—especially after long-term caregiving or complicated relationships.
This emotional complexity is normal. In grief therapy, we create a space to name these feelings without shame or judgment.
Most People Don’t Know What to Say (and That Can Hurt)
One of the hardest parts of grieving is feeling alone—especially when others, other family members, your neighbours, people at work and even your friends seem unsure of how to show up, what to say, or how to help you through the grieving process. Friends may avoid the topic, offer clichés, or try to “fix” your pain. This can leave you feeling even more isolated.
In therapy, you get to be fully seen and heard by compassionate therapists who can sit with you and your grief. At Family-Therapy.ca, we offer grief counselling in Ottawa and online across Ontario, giving you a space where your grief is honoured and supported, not silenced.
Grief Can Bring Up Old Wounds
Loss doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Grief can reopen past pain, stir up childhood trauma, or trigger questions about identity, purpose, and meaning. You might find yourself re-evaluating your relationships, career, or spiritual beliefs. This is why we offer trauma-informed grief support in Ontario because our grief can reach back into our past and reopen past wounds such as childhood loss and pain.
This is where psychotherapy can be transformative. We work with clients not just to cope with loss—but to gently explore the deeper emotional landscape it uncovers, no matter where your grief journey takes you.
You Don’t Have to “Move On” to Heal
Healing isn’t about forgetting or “getting over it.” It’s about learning how to carry your loss with you in a way that feels lighter, more integrated. It’s about finding ways to stay connected to what you’ve lost—while also reconnecting to your own life, step by step.
Through grief counselling, we help you process loss, rebuild meaning, and navigate life after loss—on your terms.
How Grief Counselling Can Help
Struggling with a recent loss or carrying unresolved grief from years ago, you don’t have to face it alone. We offer grief counselling for teens and adults.
Working with Leah, Matthew, or Rubal, you’ll receive personalized, trauma-informed support in a safe, non-judgmental space.
Our therapists can help clients across Ottawa and Ontario:
- Understand and process complex emotions around grief
- Navigate the changes in identity and relationships after loss
- Cope with physical and emotional symptoms of grief
- Create rituals of remembrance and healing
- Explore grief related to non-death losses (divorce, health, transitions)
You’re Not Alone in Your Grief
If you’re reading this, grieving, and wondering when—or if—you’ll feel like yourself again, please know healing is possible. You don’t have to carry this pain alone. Support is here when you’re ready.
Whether you need a place to cry, to ask questions, or simply to be held in your grief, we’re here to accompany with you on this journey.
Book a free 20 minute consultation with Leah, Matthew, or Rubal at Family-Therapy.ca
We offer in-person and virtual therapy available across Ontario.
