Grief Therapy in Hamilton, Ontario

Navigating Loss, Rebuilding Life
Grief is a natural response to loss. This can include the death of a loved one, the end of a relationship, the loss of health, a life role, or a sense of identity. For some people, grief slowly shifts and becomes easier to carry over time. For others, the pain remains intense, overwhelming, or emotionally numbing for months or even years. This is often referred to as complicated grief, complex grief, or prolonged grief disorder.

At eFIT, we understand grief as more than an emotional state. It is an embodied experience that affects the mind, the body, and the social world. Loss can disrupt sleep, appetite, concentration, and energy. It can lead to withdrawal from others or a deep sense of disconnection from life. That is why our approach integrates psychotherapy, somatic work, movement, nutrition support, and community connection. We create space for you to honour your loss, work through complex emotions, and slowly rebuild your life in a way that feels real and sustainable.

You can book a free consultation to explore our group-based Evolve Therapy Program or individual Embark Therapy Program.

What Is Grief? The eFIT Perspective

From the eFIT perspective, grief is an adaptive process that allows us to emotionally integrate loss and adjust to a changed world. When grief becomes stuck, it is often because emotions such as sadness, longing, anger, or guilt have been avoided, suppressed, or complicated by trauma. In these cases, the natural healing process can stall, leading to prolonged suffering.

Emotion Focused Therapy for grief offers a structured and compassionate way to work with these emotions. This approach helps people:

• Access and express the full range of emotions connected to the loss
• Work through emotional unfinished business related to the person who died or the situation that was lost
• Transform guilt, self-blame, or anger into self-compassion, acceptance, and meaning
• Maintain a continuing bond with what was lost in a way that supports healing rather than prolonging pain

At eFIT, we extend this work beyond therapy alone, supporting grief across emotional, physical, and relational systems.

Symptoms and Signs of Complicated Grief

• Persistent and intense yearning or longing for the person who died
• Difficulty accepting the loss or feeling as though it is unreal
• Avoidance of reminders of the loss, or feeling unable to think about anything else
• Intense guilt, regret, or self-blame
• Emotional numbness or detachment from others
• Anger, bitterness, or resentment related to the loss
• Physical symptoms such as fatigue, body aches, or digestive issues
• Disruptions in sleep, appetite, or daily functioning

These responses reflect how deeply something mattered. Without support, however, they can interfere with the natural process of healing.

How the eFIT Model Supports Grief

Psychotherapy
Our grief work is emotion focused and grief specific. We use approaches such as experiential dialogues and emotion transformation to help you process unresolved feelings and express what may have been left unsaid. This work supports both emotional relief and a gradual re-engagement with life.

Somatic Regulation
Loss often leaves the body in a state of collapse or ongoing stress. Through grounding, breathwork, and body awareness, we help regulate the nervous system, release physical tension, and create capacity to stay present with emotion rather than becoming overwhelmed.

Physical Activity
Gentle, consistent movement can support mood, reduce fatigue, and help the body process stress associated with grief. Activities such as walking, yoga, or strength-based movement are used to support both physical health and emotional resilience.

Nutrition Support
Grief frequently disrupts appetite and eating patterns, which can worsen low mood and exhaustion. Our nutrition team supports the return to regular, balanced nourishment to help stabilize energy, support brain health, and reduce the physical strain of grief.

Community and Group Support
Grief can be deeply isolating, particularly when others do not understand your loss. Group therapy provides a space to be witnessed, to share your story, and to experience empathy and understanding from others. Connection is a powerful protective factor during bereavement.