Grief and bereavement counselling in Vaughan
Grief has no timetable. Whether the loss was last week or years ago, you do not have to carry it alone. We offer gentle, judgment-free support in Vaughan and online across Ontario, at your own pace.
Takes 2 minutes. No credit card. No referral needed.
Psychotherapists
supervision
no pressure
20 minutes
Clinically reviewed by Svetlana Antonyshyn, Registered Psychotherapist (CRPO #001652). Last reviewed June 2026.
What grief can feel like
Grief does not look the same for anyone. It can arrive as numbness, as waves that knock the wind out of you, as guilt over what was or was not said, as anger at how unfair it is, even as relief that sits uncomfortably beside the sadness. It can show up in your body too, as exhaustion, a tight chest, or sleep that will not come.
All of it is normal. Grief is the shape love takes after loss, and there is no correct order and no schedule it has to follow. You are not behind, and you are not doing it wrong.
We do not rush you, and we never see your grief as a problem to be fixed. Together we make space for what you are carrying, gently and at the pace that feels right for you, so you can hold your loss and keep living alongside it.
Grief counselling is gentle, judgment-free talk therapy that gives your loss the space it deserves. There is no timeline you have to meet and nothing you have to be over. You set the pace, and you keep what helps for the rest of your life.
Meet therapists who walk with you through grief
Every therapist below is a Registered Psychotherapist who supports people through loss with warmth and patience. Watch a short intro, read their profile, or let us match you in your free consultation.
Svetlana Antonyshyn
A deep, personal understanding of loss. Svetlana helps you find meaning and carry your person forward.
Book appointment
Carol McDowell
Carol uses a narrative and meaning-making approach to help you make sense of your loss, at your pace.
Book appointmentNot sure who fits? Browse all 24+ therapists or let us match you. You can switch anytime, and your file moves with you.
Grief comes in waves, not neat stages
There is no correct order and no schedule. Here are some of the waves people meet along the way. Choose one that feels familiar, and see a gentle note about it.
Numbness and disbelief
Early on you might feel strangely flat, like it has not hit yet. That is your mind protecting you. Nothing is wrong with you.
Wherever you are in the waves, steady support is here when you want it. Talk it through with a therapist, free for 20 minutes.
The losses we support people through
Grief takes many shapes, and every one of them is valid. Whatever yours looks like, you are welcome here.
Wanting support with grief is common
Most people wait far longer than they needed to before asking.
What your first session actually looks like
Reaching out for grief can feel like a big step. There is nothing you have to talk about and nowhere you have to be. Your first appointment is a 70-minute initial assessment, and here is how it tends to go.
Settling in
No script, no pressure. Your therapist welcomes you, explains confidentiality, and lets you know you can share as much or as little as you want.
Telling your story
When and if you are ready, you share who and what you have lost. Tears are welcome, silence is welcome, and so is talking about something else entirely.
A little support to carry
Your therapist might offer a gentle way to cope with the hardest moments, or simply help you feel less alone in what you are carrying.
No expectations
You decide if and when you come back. There is no homework you must do, and your therapist meets you wherever you are next time.
Gentle support, shaped by your loss
Grief counselling works best when it follows you, not a formula. Your therapist draws on evidence-based approaches and shapes them around what you need. Sessions still give you a steady, dependable place to land each week, even while grief itself stays unpredictable.
InnerSight was founded by Svetlana Antonyshyn, RP, on the belief that healing should treat the person, not a label. More about our approach.
What grief counselling costs in Vaughan
No hidden fees and no pressure. Most private insurance plans cover a portion of psychotherapy fees.
Meet a therapist, ask anything, and see if it feels right. No credit card and no obligation.
Most private insurance plans cover a portion of services from a Registered Psychotherapist. We bill Sun Life, SSQ and Green Shield directly, and provide receipts for other insurers.
A longer first session to understand your loss and what you need. Reduced-fee spots are also available.
Psychotherapy may also qualify for the medical expense tax credit in Canada. Questions about coverage? See our reduced-fee program or call us, we are happy to walk you through it.
Your questions, answered
Is there a normal timeline for grief?
No. Grief is not linear and there is no deadline. It comes in waves, not neat stages, and it can ease and return. We never rush you or tell you how you should feel. You set the pace.
Do I need a referral for grief counselling in Vaughan?
No referral is needed. You can book a free 20-minute consultation online at psychotherapyclinic.janeapp.com or call (905) 553-9507. Most people have their first full session within a week.
When should I reach out instead of grieving on my own?
There is no wrong time to reach out. If grief feels stuck, overwhelming, or is affecting your sleep, work or relationships, gentle support can help. You do not have to wait for a crisis or for things to get worse.
Can you help with a loss that happened years ago?
Yes. Grief has no expiry date. Old losses can resurface around anniversaries, milestones, or new losses, and that is completely normal. It is never too late to find support and make sense of what you carry.
Do you support losses that are not a death?
Yes. Divorce, the end of a relationship, job loss, health changes, a move, estrangement and other non-death losses are real grief and deserve real support. We hold space for whatever you are mourning.
Is grief counselling available online across Ontario?
Yes. We offer secure video sessions anywhere in Ontario, plus in-person sessions in Vaughan, Woodbridge and Barrie. Online sessions let you grieve from a place where you feel safe, and evenings and weekends are available.
How much does grief counselling cost and is it covered?
The first 20-minute consultation is free. Individual sessions are $180 for 55 minutes. There is no OHIP coverage, but most private insurance plans cover a portion of services from a Registered Psychotherapist. We bill Sun Life, SSQ and Green Shield directly, and reduced-fee spots are available.
What happens in the first session?
A gentle, pressure-free conversation. You set the pace and share only what you want to, with nothing you have to talk about. Together you begin to shape a way forward that honours both your loss and your healing.
How is grief counselling different from talking to friends or family?
The people who love you want to help, but they are often grieving too, or unsure what to say. A Registered Psychotherapist offers a steady, trained presence with nowhere else to be and nothing they need from you, so you can grieve without managing anyone else's feelings.
Is it grief or depression?
They can look alike and often overlap, low mood, tiredness, trouble concentrating. Grief tends to come in waves tied to the loss and can include moments of connection or even joy, while depression is usually a more constant low. A Registered Psychotherapist cannot formally diagnose either, but we help you understand what you are carrying and support you either way.
Recent thinking on grief
The Empty Chair at Thanksgiving: Grief, Estrangement and the Family Table
The hard part is rarely the day itself. It is the ten days before it, when the texts start going around about…
Read article →
Grief Isn't Linear: How Therapy Helps You Process Loss
There's a version of grief we're all handed, the one with the five stages, the orderly timeline, the expectation that things will…
Read article →
The Importance of Therapy After Pregnancy and Infant Loss
Pregnancy and infant loss are profoundly heartbreaking experiences. They are two of the most difficult and isolating journeys anyone can ever walk…
Read article →Grief counselling near you: Vaughan, Woodbridge, Barrie and online
In-person sessions at three locations, plus secure video sessions anywhere in Ontario. Evenings and weekends available.
Three gentle steps, whenever you are ready
Book your free consult
Online in 2 minutes or by phone. No referral, no credit card.
Meet your therapist
Talk it through and get matched with the right fit for you.
Grieve at your own pace
Move through your loss with steady, gentle support beside you.