Online grief counselling in Waterloo and across Ontario
Gentle grief counselling for individuals and couples in Waterloo
Loss can turn life upside down. At Couples Counselling Centre, our specialized grief therapists support individuals and couples in Waterloo through online sessions that are gentle, evidence based, and deeply human. You do not have to navigate this alone.
• Virtual video sessions for Waterloo and across Ontario • Evenings and weekends available • Covered by most extended health benefits
Secure, encrypted video sessions
You are not alone in this
Whether you are coping with the loss of a loved one, a relationship, a pregnancy, a job, or the future you imagined, we help you move through your grief with compassion, not pressure.
Free 15 minute consultation
No waiting list
Award winning care
Recognized by
Why grief feels so heavy
Grief is not something to get over. It is something to move through, together.
Grief touches every part of life. It can change how you sleep, eat, parent, show up at work, or connect with your partner. You might feel fine one moment and overwhelmed the next. None of this means you are doing grief wrong. It means you are human.
- Feeling numb, in disbelief, or like the loss is not real yet
Early grief
- Guilt about what you did or did not say or do
Self blame
- Feeling distant from your partner or arguing more often
Relationship strain
- Struggling to show up for kids, work, or daily tasks
Daily life
At Couples Counselling Centre, we understand grief as both an individual and relationship experience. We support you, and if you wish, your partner and family, as you navigate this together.
How grief counselling helps
Support for the many forms of grief in Waterloo
We support individuals and couples in Waterloo who are grieving a wide range of losses: death of a loved one, pregnancy loss, infertility, separation or divorce, pet loss, job loss, health changes, and more. Grief counselling is a space to feel less alone, understand what you are going through, and move toward a life that still feels worth living.
For individuals
Individual grief counselling
One to one sessions give you space to talk openly about your loss without needing to protect anyone else. Together, we can:
- Understand your grief reactions and how they show up in your body and daily life
- Work through anger, guilt, or unanswered questions
- Rebuild routines, meaning, and hope at a pace that feels right for you
For couples and families
Grief that is affecting your relationship
Grief can pull partners closer or further apart. We specialize in Emotionally Focused Therapy, the gold standard for couples counselling, to help you:
- Understand why you may be grieving differently from one another
- Reduce patterns of disconnection, criticism, or shutting down
- Turn toward each other as a safe, secure base while you grieve
Types of grief we see
Loss in many forms
We provide grief therapy for:
- Loss of loved ones, including complex or sudden loss
- Pregnancy loss, infertility, and perinatal grief
- Pet grief, job loss, relationship loss, and other life transitions
You do not have to justify your grief to us. If it matters to you, it matters in the therapy room.
What sessions look like
A clear process, at your pace
Many people come to grief counselling unsure of what to say or where to start. That is completely ok. We will guide you step by step and check in regularly so the pace feels safe and manageable.
1
Free 15 minute consultation
Share a bit about what brings you to therapy, ask questions, and get a feel for your therapist. We will help you decide if we are the right fit and which therapist on our team is best aligned with your needs.
Book online through our Jane App booking system in minutes.
2
First session
For individuals, we begin by understanding your story, the loss you are carrying, and how grief is showing up in your daily life. For couples, we typically begin with a longer joint session followed by individual meetings with each partner, then ongoing couples sessions informed by EFT.
You will receive secure digital intake forms and a private video link.
3
Ongoing grief counselling
Together we work on processing the loss, strengthening your support system, and making space for both pain and hope. Our goal is not to erase your grief, but to help you carry it differently and feel more connected to yourself and the people you love.
Many clients begin to notice meaningful change within the first several sessions.
Types of grief we support in Waterloo and across Ontario
Grief is more than death. We hold space for all kinds of loss.
Our grief counsellors support clients across Ontario, including Waterloo, with a wide range of losses. Wherever you are in your grief, there is room for it here.
Loss of loved ones
Support after the death of a partner, family member, friend, child, or other loved one, including complicated or traumatic grief.
Bereavement
Complicated grief
Relationship and family loss
Grief after separation or divorce, estrangement, relationship breakdown, and changes in family roles or identity.
Breakups and divorce
Family estrangement
Fertility, pregnancy, and health
Support for infertility, pregnancy loss, changes in fertility journeys, chronic or terminal illness, and the grief that comes with health changes.
Infertility
Pregnancy loss
Chronic or terminal illness
Career and life transitions
Grief related to job loss, retirement, immigration, identity shifts, and transitions that change how you see yourself or your future.
Job loss
Retirement
Life transitions
Pet grief
For many, pets are family. We support clients who are grieving the death, surrender, or disappearance of a pet or companion animal.
Pet and animal loss
Unseen grief
Grief and trauma together
Sometimes grief is intertwined with trauma, attachment wounds, or childhood experiences. Our trauma informed therapists can support both.
Trauma informed
Attachment focused
Director
MaryAnn brings three decades of health care experience, attachment based training, and a heart for cycle breakers and families who want something different for the next generation.
Canadian Choice Award 2024 and 2025
Quality Business Awards 2025
Psychology Today verified
Lumino Health top rated provider
Leadership you can trust
Led by a pharmacist psychotherapist with more than 30 years of experience
Couples Counselling Centre is directed by MaryAnn Dawood, MPharm, RPh, MACP, RP, the first pharmacist led psychotherapy centre in Canada. Our award winning practice is built on love, science, and a deep belief in connection.
Meet our Waterloo Therapists
Our team includes therapists with specific training in grief, loss, and trauma informed care, so you do not have to explain the basics of what grief feels like.
Book grief counselling with Couples Counselling Centre in Waterloo
Sessions are offered securely online, so you can connect from anywhere in Waterloo, Ontario.
Hours of operation
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Location
Waterloo, Ontario
Phone
(647) 689-5838
Waterloo neighbourhoods we service often
- Uptown Waterloo
- Northdale (University/student area)
- University District (University of Waterloo/Waterloo Park edge)
- Beechwood
- Laurelwood
- Westvale
- Colonial Acres
- Pioneer Park
- Westmount
- RIM Park / Gateway District
Questions, answered
Is grief counselling at Couples Counselling Centre virtual or in person?
Couples Counselling Centre currently offers virtual counselling only. All grief counselling sessions are held through a secure, encrypted video platform, so you can access support from your home or private space anywhere in Waterloo or across Ontario.
Is grief counselling covered by insurance or benefits?
Many extended health benefit plans in Ontario cover psychotherapy provided by a Registered Psychotherapist (RP) or psychologist. Couples Counselling Centre provides detailed receipts so that you can submit them to your insurance provider for reimbursement.
Direct billing is not currently available. We encourage you to check your specific coverage so you know what to expect in terms of reimbursement limits and session fees.
How long does grief counselling usually last?
There is no one right length of time for grief counselling. Some clients feel supported with a shorter series of sessions focused on a specific loss or transition. Others prefer longer term therapy that allows them to explore layers of grief, trauma, and relationship patterns.
Together with your therapist, you will talk about your goals and check in regularly about pacing and frequency. We want your therapy to feel helpful and sustainable, not rushed.
Can couples or families attend grief counselling together?
Yes. As a centre that specializes in couples and family relationships, we frequently support couples and families navigating grief together. This may include sessions where you attend individually and sessions where loved ones join you.
Your therapist will collaborate with you to decide what combination of individual, couples, or family sessions will best support your healing and your relationships.
What if I am not ready to talk about everything yet?
That is completely okay. You are never required to share details before you feel ready. Grief counselling can start with building safety, learning how to ground your body, and naming small pieces of what you are carrying.
We move at the pace of your nervous system, not an agenda. Your therapist will check in with you regularly and adjust as needed.
Book grief counselling in Waterloo today
Grief is a sign of how deeply you have loved. You do not have to carry it alone. Our team is ready to meet you with compassion, clinical expertise, and genuine care.
or call (647) 689‑5838
