GRIEF & LOSS THERAPY
Some losses change everything.
You don't have to find the right words, make sense of it all, or move forward before you're ready.
Maybe it's been months or years, and people have stopped asking how you're doing. Maybe you're grieving someone who is still alive, a relationship that ended, or a future you thought you would have.
At Théla, grief therapy offers a compassionate space to explore your experience without expectations about how grief should look, how long it should last, or what healing is supposed to mean.
BOOK A FREE CONSULTATION →In-person in Markham · Virtual therapy in Ontario, British Columbia & Alberta
Your grief does not need a deadline.
There is room for your loss, your memories, your questions, and everything you haven't been able to say.
UNDERSTANDING GRIEF
Grief is more than sadness.
Grief can be an emotional, physical, relational, and deeply personal response to losing someone or something meaningful.
It may involve sadness, longing, anger, guilt, relief, numbness, confusion, or a sense that the world no longer feels quite the same.
There is no single correct way to grieve. Some people feel overwhelmed by emotion. Others feel very little at first. Many move between these experiences over time.
THE MANY FORMS OF GRIEF
Not every loss comes with a funeral.
Grief therapy is not limited to bereavement following a death. Loss can take many forms, including experiences that others may not recognize.
01.
Death & Bereavement
Grieving the death of a partner, parent, child, sibling, friend, or another significant person.
02.
Anticipatory Grief
Grieving a loss that has not yet happened, such as when someone is living with a life-limiting illness.
03.
Ambiguous Loss
Grieving someone who is physically present but psychologically changed, or someone absent without clear closure.
04.
Relationship Loss
Divorce, separation, estrangement, friendship endings, or relationships that ended without the closure you hoped for.
05.
Pregnancy & Reproductive Loss
Miscarriage, stillbirth, fertility challenges, pregnancy termination, or grieving an imagined future.
06.
Health & Identity Loss
Changes in health, physical ability, independence, career, identity, or the life you once knew.
07.
Traumatic Loss
Sudden, unexpected, or distressing losses that may involve trauma-related symptoms alongside grief.
08.
Pet Loss
Grieving a beloved animal companion and the routines, connection, and comfort they brought into your life.
09.
Multiple & Cumulative Losses
Navigating several losses, life changes, or major stressors with little opportunity to process each experience.
WHEN LOSS GOES UNRECOGNIZED
Some grief doesn't receive the recognition it deserves.
Some losses are met with sympathy, rituals, and community support. Others are minimized, misunderstood, or left unspoken.
This is sometimes called disenfranchised grief—grief that is not openly acknowledged or socially supported.
You may find yourself wondering whether you're allowed to grieve something others don't seem to consider a loss.
"It feels like I lost something important, but nobody else seems to understand."
A loss does not need public recognition to have a profound personal impact.
THERE IS NO CORRECT TIMELINE
You don't have to be "over it" by now.
You may have heard that it's time to move on, find closure, or return to the person you were before.
But grief rarely follows a predictable sequence. It can become more noticeable around anniversaries, milestones, holidays, or unexpected reminders.
Therapy is not about getting you to a finish line faster. It's about understanding your grief and finding ways to live alongside it, at a pace that respects your experience.
THE EMOTIONAL EXPERIENCE
Grief can hold conflicting emotions.
You may experience several emotions at once, or emotions that seem inconsistent with one another.
Sadness & Longing
Missing someone or something that mattered deeply.
Anger
Anger toward circumstances, others, yourself, or the unfairness of loss.
Guilt & Regret
Revisiting decisions, conversations, or things left unsaid.
Relief
Feeling relief after prolonged suffering or difficult circumstances, sometimes alongside guilt.
Numbness
Feeling disconnected, empty, or uncertain about what you're feeling.
Love & Gratitude
Holding appreciation, meaningful memories, and grief together.
MIND & BODY
Grief can be felt in the body, too.
Grief can affect sleep, appetite, energy, concentration, and the way your body responds to stress.
Somatic and grounding approaches may help you notice these responses, understand what your body needs, and develop strategies for managing difficult moments.
You might notice:
Fatigue or changes in energy
Sleep disturbances
Muscle tension or restlessness
Difficulty concentrating
Changes in appetite or daily routines
New, severe, or persistent physical symptoms should also be discussed with an appropriate medical professional.
OUR THERAPEUTIC APPROACH
How Théla approaches grief therapy.
We recognize that every person's relationship with loss is different. Therapy is tailored to your needs, preferences, and goals.
01.
Person-Centred Grief Therapy
A compassionate space where your experience is respected, without imposing expectations about how you should grieve.
02.
Somatic Approaches
Exploring how grief is experienced physically and developing grounding and regulation strategies.
03.
IFS & Parts Work
Making space for different emotional responses, such as longing, anger, relief, guilt, and the wish to keep moving forward.
04.
Trauma-Informed Care
Recognizing the effects of sudden, traumatic, or prolonged loss and adjusting the pace of treatment accordingly.
05.
Meaning & Identity
Exploring how loss affects your values, sense of self, relationships, and understanding of the future.
06.
Continuing Bonds
Exploring ways to maintain a meaningful connection with someone who has died, while adapting to life after the loss.
WHAT TO EXPECT
You don't have to know where to begin.
Some people arrive with a clear idea of what they want to discuss. Others feel overwhelmed, disconnected, or unsure how to put their experience into words.
Your therapist can help you explore what feels most important, whether that involves talking about your loss, understanding difficult emotions, or navigating everyday life.
Sessions may include:
Sharing your experience at your own pace
Exploring emotions and unresolved questions
Understanding the impact of grief on daily life
Developing coping and grounding strategies
Exploring connection, identity, and meaning
WHEN GRIEF BECOMES PARTICULARLY DIFFICULT
What if grief feels impossible to carry?
For some people, grief remains especially intense and disruptive over an extended period. Persistent longing, difficulty accepting the loss, or feeling unable to re-engage with life may be signs that additional support is needed.
Prolonged Grief Disorder is a recognized clinical condition, but it is not diagnosed simply because someone has grieved for a long time.
A careful assessment considers the duration and intensity of symptoms, their impact on daily functioning, and relevant cultural, social, and personal circumstances.
WHEN TO REACH OUT
There is no required waiting period.
Some people begin therapy shortly after a loss. Others reach out months or years later when something changes or resurfaces.
You do not need to prove that your grief is severe enough or that you've been grieving for a certain amount of time.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Questions about grief therapy?
How long after a loss should I wait before starting therapy?
There is no required waiting period. Some people begin immediately, while others seek support months or years later.
Is grief therapy only for people who have experienced a death?
No. Therapy can also address relationship loss, pregnancy loss, estrangement, ambiguous loss, anticipatory grief, and other significant life changes.
What if I feel relief or anger alongside sadness?
Mixed emotions are common in grief. Feeling relief, anger, guilt, or even moments of happiness does not invalidate your loss.
Will therapy help me forget or move on?
The goal is not to erase memories or force closure. Therapy can help you develop a relationship with your grief that allows room for both remembrance and ongoing life.
What if I don't feel sad?
Grief does not always involve noticeable sadness. Some people experience numbness, anger, disbelief, or changes in their daily functioning instead.
Can grief therapy help after a traumatic death?
Yes. A trauma-informed approach can help address grief alongside distressing memories or trauma-related symptoms. Treatment is individualized according to clinical needs.
Is virtual grief therapy available?
Yes. Théla offers virtual grief therapy in Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta, subject to clinician eligibility and availability. In-person sessions are available in Markham.
How many sessions will I need?
There is no standard number. Some people benefit from short-term support, while others prefer ongoing therapy. You and your therapist can discuss your goals and review progress together.
A NOTE ON IMMEDIATE SUPPORT
When more immediate support is needed.
Grief can sometimes occur alongside depression, trauma-related difficulties, or thoughts of suicide.
If you are in immediate danger, call 911 or visit your nearest emergency department. For suicide-related crisis support in Canada, call or text 9-8-8. Routine therapy appointments are not a crisis response service.
BEGIN WITH A CONVERSATION
Your grief deserves space.
Whatever you've lost, whenever it happened, and however you're experiencing it, you don't have to navigate it alone.
BOOK A FREE CONSULTATION CONTACT OUR TEAMQuestions? hello@thelaclinic.com
