Support Groups

We offer a wide range of groups and other supports to help you along your grief journey.

Our programs help people deal with the reality of their life changes, providing tools, coping strategies and a safety-net while grieving their life loss. We will discuss how grief affects you on all levels — physically, mentally, emotionally, socially and spiritually.

Many topics will be covered, as they relate to grief and mourning. For example, how to manage and cope with overwhelming emotions, the importance of mindfulness in your healing, how to reconcile a new life without your loved one, the three dimensions of grief, etc.

Eight weeks of learning and dialoguing while normalizing and healing grief and the pain associated with it.

Remember that grief is a process, not an event.

We invite you to read about our groups below and connect with us if you are interested. Prior to joining any group there is an interview process in order for us to gain a better understanding of your loss and what supports you may need. It begins with a conversation.

There is no cost to most of our groups (except Healing with Horses and Healing through Art Expression). Dates and times are subject to change.

Mixed Loss

If you have suffered a loss, such as a parent, sibling, friend, spouse, we offer a program to help you understand your grief while providing a safe place for you to embrace your loss and find healing. We use a peer-to-peer-based approach with two trained support facilitators. It is a group you can join to connect with others who are grieving a death and talk about thoughts and feelings, while also learning coping strategies. This group is for adults over the age of 18.

Option A: Thursdays / 7-8:30pm / March 2 – April 20, 2023
Option B: Thursdays / 7-8:30pm / May 4 – June 22, 2023

Loss of a Partner

If you have lost your husband or partner, we offer a safe space to embrace your loss and find healing while connecting with other women experiencing a similar loss. This is a program to help you understand your grief using a peer-to-peer-based approach with two trained support facilitators. You can talk about your thoughts and feelings, while also learning coping strategies. This group is for women over the age of 18. There is no charge for this group.

Tuesdays / 7-8:30pm / Jan. 24 – March 14, 2023

Loss through Drug Overdose

This group is for those who have experienced a loss through drug overdose. It is a place you can join to connect with others who are grieving a similar death and talk about thoughts and feelings, while also learning coping strategies. This group is for adults over the age of 18 and will be led by trained support facilitators. There is no charge for this group.

Saturdays / 1-2:30pm / March 11 – April 29, 2023

Men's Bereavement

This group is designed for men who have lost a loved one, perhaps a wife, partner or family member. This program has been designed to help men understand their grief while providing a safe place to embrace their loss and find healing. We create a safe place for you to embrace your loss and find healing. Using a peer-to-peer-based approach, you will be led by two trained male facilitators. It is a place where you can connect with others who are also grieving and talk about your thoughts and feelings, while also learning coping strategies. This group is for men over the age of 18. There is no charge for this group.

Mondays / 4-5:30pm / Oct. 16 – Dec. 4, 2023

Pet Loss

It is only natural that when you love your pet, there is a necessity to grieve when you lose them. There is a simultaneous hardship for pet owners because society often denies the grief that comes as the result of a pet loss. As a result, many people hide or bury the grief they are feeling. If you have suffered the loss of your beloved pet, we offer a program to help you understand your grief while providing a safe place for you to embrace your loss and find healing. You will be encouraged to connect with others grieving a similar loss, talk about your thoughts and feelings, and learn coping strategies. This group is for adults over the age of 18. There is no charge for this group.

Mondays / 7-8:30pm / March 27 – May 1, 2023
* Six-week session

Loss of an Adult Child

Your child has died and you are facing the difficult, heart-wrenching but important need to mourn. As you begin a journey that is often frightening, painful and overwhelming, we offer a safe space to embrace your loss and find healing while connecting with others experiencing a similar loss. This is a program to help you understand your unique grief using a peer-to-peer-based approach with two trained support facilitators. You can talk about your thoughts and feelings, while also learning coping strategies. This group is for women (mothers) over the age of 18. There is no charge for this group.

Spring Session: Mondays / 7-8:30pm / March 6 – May 1
No session Easter Monday (April 10)

Fall Session: Mondays / 6:30-8pm / Sept. 25 – Nov. 13

Miscarriage & Infant Loss

Often those who have to absorb the loss of a miscarriage or infant suffer in silence. This program is to help give voice to your grief in a safe place with other women who have a similar shared experience. Using a peer-to-peer-based and holistic approach with two trained support facilitators, you will learn the impacts of your loss emotionally, mentally, physically and spiritually. Healthy coping strategies and approaches will be shared as you absorb this unique loss. This group is for women over the age of 18. There is no charge for this group.

Tuesdays / 7-8:30pm / May 9 – June 27, 2023

Healing with Horses

It’s long been known that horses can help heal grief and emotional pain. Horses mirror feelings, attitudes, and intentions. Horses can be our greatest teacher. If you’ve tried to resolve your grief, but you’re still at a loss, you might want to join this program to find a new peace. Horse-related experience is not required. There is a fee for this seven-session, in-person group. Please click the button below for more details.

Option A: Fridays / 1-2:30pm / March 24 – May 12

*No session on Good Friday

Option B: Fridays / 1-2:30pm / May 26 – July 7
Option C: Fridays / 1-2:30pm / Sept. 22 – Nov. 3

Loss Through COVID

Grief is a normal response to loss of life, but it is also a normal response to the immense changes that have accumulated over the last years. Common reactions to grief include shock, disbelief, numbness, denial, anxiety, anger, bitterness, resentment, sadness, depression, and loss of sleep or appetite. Working through grief is a first healthy step toward finding a new normal in the midst of such drastic change. This peer-to-peer-based support group will help you navigate through your personal losses through COVID-19 and help identify strategies as you create a meaningful and healthy new normal. This group is for adults over the age of 18. There is no charge for this group.

Coming Spring 2023 / Dates TBD

Stepping Stones: Exploring Jesus in Our Grief

This is a safe place to meet Jesus in your grief. He was no stranger to loss and pain. Join us as we explore the Bible and find Jesus in our sorrow. With His healing, and love, we can find healing, redemption, and grace, helping us heal our hurts and pain, reconcile a new life as we learn to grieve, and find our new way with Jesus.

Mondays / 4-5:30pm / April 17 – May 29, 2023 (Six weeks)
*No session on Victoria Day

Walking through the Wilderness of Grief

This group is designed for adults between 18-32 years of age. We will be taking guided nature walks in various locations in the Guelph and surrounding areas, finishing each gathering with a circle debrief to discuss our feelings of loss – and sharing strategies to work through that loss in healthy and meaningful ways. Whether loss of a loved one, loss experienced as a result of life changes or COVID-19, or loss as a general feeling of a life unanticipated or unplanned for, we will together work through the emotional, physical, mental and spiritual challenges. There is no charge for this group.

Coming Spring 2023 / Dates TBD

Healing through Art Expression

This is a private 1:1 program designed for people to work through their grief using art. You will meet weekly with an artist for an individually determined amount of time to find ways to express your emotions, thoughts, and anxieties through painting. Experience with art is not needed or necessary. The artist will be your guide, teacher, and coach as you work through your loss using art as your healing canvas. There is a fee for this program.

1-1 Grief Companioning

If you are over the age of 18 and have experienced the recent loss of a loved one (spouse, child, parent, sibling, friend etc.), you will be matched 1-1 with a trained volunteer grief companion who will offer you support either over the phone or through video conferencing. Please note, we are not therapists, counsellors or mental health professionals. We offer a peer-based support to walk this leg of the journey with you. You are not alone; we are here to help. This is a free service.