In-Depth Guide
Everything you need to know about grief & loss in Ontario
What is complicated grief and do I need therapy?
Grief is a natural response to loss, and most people integrate their grief over time through their own resilience and social support. However, some individuals experience what clinicians call Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD) โ also known as complicated grief or persistent complex bereavement disorder โ in which intense grief reactions persist beyond 12 months (6 months in children) and significantly impair functioning. Signs of complicated grief include an intense, persistent longing or yearning for the deceased; difficulty accepting the reality of the loss; bitterness or anger about the loss; feeling that life is meaningless without the deceased; inability to trust others since the loss; feeling that part of oneself died with the loss; and difficulty engaging in activities or planning for the future. Risk factors include sudden or traumatic death, loss of a child, ambivalent or dependent relationships, prior trauma or mental health history, and lack of social support. Therapy for complicated grief โ particularly Complicated Grief Treatment (CGT), a structured evidence-based protocol โ has been shown to significantly reduce symptoms more effectively than general supportive therapy.
What does grief therapy involve?
Grief therapy is not about 'getting over' a loss โ it is about learning to carry it. Contemporary grief therapy draws on multiple models, including the Dual Process Model of Coping with Bereavement, which recognizes that healthy grieving involves oscillating between loss-oriented coping (confronting and processing the grief) and restoration-oriented coping (rebuilding life and identity around the loss). Depending on the client's needs, grief therapy may involve creating space to tell the story of the loss and the relationship; processing guilt, regret, anger, or relief that may accompany the grief; exploring how the loss has disrupted assumptions about the world and one's identity; working on maintaining a continuing bond with the deceased in a healthy way; gradually rebuilding engagement with life and meaningful activities; and addressing practical challenges around daily functioning, particularly if the deceased was a primary caregiver or partner. Psyche Labs networks Ontario grief therapists across all designations, including those with specialized training in bereavement.
Is grief therapy covered by OHIP or insurance in Ontario?
OHIP does not cover private grief therapy or counselling in Ontario. However, many extended health benefit plans cover therapy sessions with RSWs, RPs, or Psychologists for grief-related mental health concerns such as depression or anxiety following bereavement. Some plans specifically list 'grief counselling' as a covered service. Community-based grief support โ including hospice bereavement programs, hospital social work services, and nonprofit grief support groups โ is often free or low-cost and publicly funded. Psyche Labs can connect you with therapists who offer sliding scale fees and can help you navigate your insurance coverage. We also recommend contacting your employer's EAP (Employee Assistance Program) as many offer short-term grief counselling at no cost.