Grief Counselling and Support in Canada
For Canadians supporting their own grief or supporting a grieving family member, multiple support options exist. Cost, accessibility, and type of support vary; specialized support is often more effective than general grief support.
When grief support is helpful
Most people experience grief and recover with support from family, friends, and time. Some people benefit from professional or peer support — particularly when:
- Grief is significantly interfering with daily functioning weeks or months after the loss
- Persistent intense distress (intrusive thoughts, inability to function)
- Isolation from existing support network
- Complicated grief (see below)
- Trauma associated with the death (witnessed, sudden, violent)
- Children grieving (often benefit from age-appropriate support)
- Anticipatory grief (during a terminal illness)
- Specific anniversaries or holidays that are particularly difficult
Earlier engagement is often better than waiting until grief becomes overwhelming.
Free and low-cost options
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Many employers offer EAP — typically 3-8 free counselling sessions per employee per year. Confidential. Available for grief. Check with HR.
Community grief support groups
- Bereaved Families chapters — chapters in many Canadian cities; peer-led groups; often free or modest fee
- Hospice societies — most communities have a hospice society with grief support groups, often free
- Faith communities — churches, synagogues, mosques, temples often have grief support
- Hospital-based — some hospitals offer grief support groups, often free
Specialized peer support
- Centre for Suicide Prevention — resources and grief support for suicide loss survivors
- Compassionate Friends of Canada — for parents who have lost a child
- MISS Foundation — child loss support
Community mental health
Provincial community mental health services may offer grief-specific groups; check local CMHA branch.
Online and telephone support
- 211 Canada — community service information including grief support
- Crisis lines for acute distress (9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline — call or text, free and confidential, 24/7)
- Online support groups (many free)
Private grief counselling
Professional grief counsellors or therapists:
Types of professionals:
- Registered psychologists ($150-250+/session)
- Registered social workers ($80-150/session)
- Registered marriage and family therapists ($120-200/session)
- Certified grief counsellors ($80-180/session)
- Faith-based counsellors ($50-150 or by donation)
Selecting a provider:
- Specific experience with grief (not all therapists have specialty)
- Specific experience with type of loss (suicide, child, sudden death, etc.)
- Comfortable rapport (essential)
- Insurance coverage if applicable
- Telehealth availability if useful
Coverage:
- Provincial health insurance generally doesn't cover psychotherapy (with some exceptions for serious mental health conditions and specific provincial programs)
- Private insurance benefits often include mental health coverage ($500-2,500/year typically)
- EAP through employer may cover initial sessions
- Tax deduction may apply for medical expenses (above threshold)
Specialized support by loss type
Suicide loss
Specialized support for those who have lost someone to suicide:
- Centre for Suicide Prevention — Canadian resources and grief support for suicide loss
- 9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline — call or text, free and confidential, 24/7
- Local survivor support groups in many cities
- Specialized therapists with suicide bereavement training
Child loss
- Compassionate Friends of Canada
- MISS Foundation
- Specialized therapists with child loss experience
Sudden or violent death
- Bereaved Families chapters often have specific groups
- Victim services through the provincial Crown prosecutor's office or police
- Specialized therapists with trauma background
Spousal loss
- Widow/widower-specific groups
- Bereaved Families chapters
- Community senior services for older widows/widowers
LGBT bereavement
- Pflag Canada — family support
- Community-specific groups in major cities
- Therapists with LGBT-affirming practice
Complicated grief
Distinct from typical grief — more intense, longer-lasting, more interfering. Characteristics:
- Persistent intense yearning for the deceased
- Difficulty accepting the loss
- Intrusive thoughts about the death
- Avoidance of reminders of the deceased
- Inability to engage in normal activities for 6+ months
- Feeling that life has no meaning
- Suicidal thoughts
Specialized professional treatment available — including Complicated Grief Therapy (CGT), an evidence-based protocol. Family doctor referral or self-referral.
Children and grief
Children grieve differently than adults:
- Age-appropriate understanding (very young children don't understand permanence; school-age understand but may not express; adolescents understand fully but may not have coping skills)
- Children may grieve in 'bursts' between normal activities
- Specialized child grief programs (Camp Erin Toronto for child bereavement, Hospice Toronto's bereavement support, etc.)
- School counsellor can be initial resource
Workplace bereavement
Most Canadian employers offer bereavement leave (typically 3-5 days). Some employers offer:
- Extended leave for primary mourners
- EAP counselling
- Return-to-work accommodation
- Mental health benefit coverage
Return to work may itself be a challenge — see returning to work after death.
What we focus on at It's Simple Will
We don't provide grief counselling, but we do help families with the practical aftermath so grief doesn't compete with administrative burden. The Life Discovery Kit (post-payment) gives executors a clear roadmap.
Related guides
Citations & sources
- [1]Canadian Mental Health Association — Canadian Mental Health Association
- [2]Bereaved Families of Ontario — Bereaved Families of Ontario
- [3]Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association — Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association
Frequently asked questions
When should I seek grief counselling?
Grief is normal and not all grieving people need counselling. Consider seeking support when — grief is interfering significantly with daily functioning weeks or months after the loss; complicated grief (intrusive thoughts, inability to accept the loss, prolonged depression); when you feel isolated and need to talk; for support during specific anniversaries or holidays; when family or close friends suggest it. Earlier is often better than waiting until crisis.
What's free or low-cost?
Several options — Employee Assistance Program through employer (typically 3-8 free sessions); community grief support groups (Bereaved Families chapters, hospice societies, faith communities — often free); some hospitals have grief support groups; community mental health services may have grief-specific groups; faith communities often have grief support.
What does private grief counselling cost?
$80-250 per session typically depending on provider (social worker $80-150, psychologist $150-250). Some employers cover through EAP; some private insurance includes mental health coverage; provincial health insurance generally doesn't cover psychotherapy (though some exceptions for serious mental health conditions).
What's complicated grief?
Grief that's more intense, longer-lasting, and more interfering with life than typical grief. Persistent intense yearning, difficulty accepting the loss, intrusive thoughts, inability to engage in normal activities for 6+ months. Different from typical grief in intensity, duration, and impact. Specialized professional help often warranted.
Are there support groups for specific types of loss?
Yes — many specific groups exist. Suicide loss survivors (Centre for Suicide Prevention, the 9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline, specific local groups); child loss (Compassionate Friends of Canada, MISS Foundation); spousal loss (widow/widower groups, Bereaved Families chapters); sudden or violent death (specific support groups in many communities); LGBT bereavement; first responder family bereavement.
What about online support?
Many options — online support groups (often free), telehealth therapy (many therapists offer video sessions), online grief courses and resources (Hospice Foundation, various non-profits). Online can supplement in-person or be the primary mode for those without local resources.