Grief & Loss
Grief Recovery
Have you recently or long ago been affected by the loss of someone? Has a familiar pattern of behaviour recently ended or come to a complete stop causing you to feel lonely or isolated? Do you feel overwhelmed or guilty due to your grief? Does it feel like it will never end or you will never “get over it?”
You may think you need to “be strong,” “grieve alone,” or perhaps “keep busy.” You may want to bury your emotions and not feel this pain, so you “replace the loss” with something else. Sometimes you might, or others might, even have an expected time frame that you “should be over it by now” and then imply you shouldn’t “feel bad.” In response, we become less social, drink more than you used to, oversleep, become irritable with the people you love, or doom scroll the evenings away.
Grief is Complex and Additive, but the Feelings are Natural and Normal
At Pearl Psychological, we believe that grief is a natural, normal reaction to loss. We acknowledge that every loss is unique and every person will walk through grief differently. Some events that can cause the feelings of grief are death, divorce, pet loss, moving, relationships ending, loss of a job, retirement, empty nesting, trauma, miscarriage, health loss, etc. Everyone experiences grief at different intensities based on their specific relationship to the loss.
While loss affects people in different ways, feelings of grief, hurt, pain, and sadness can emerge. Grief can manifest in multiple ways, depending on many factors. It may appear as anger, crying, or something completely different. The “five stages of grief” (Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, and Acceptance) that are well-known, are not a “one-size-fits-all” to grief and recovery. Not everyone will experience the alleged stages, nor is it healthy to try to sort yourself or people who are grieving into these specific categories. Some may experience a few of these emotions listed above, others, or none, due to numbness.
If you or someone you love is grieving, know that you are not alone. There are many people grieving, who may not know how to make the pain stop. We understand how hard it can be to function normally in grief, especially when people around you don’t understand. Despite what others may say, time is also not the healer of a broken heart. With time, the emotional pain may decrease, but the loss remains. Instead, we must learn how to grieve and recover properly.
Recovery with Evidence, Guidance, and Support
Unhealed pain and grief can affect different areas of life, overall decreasing the quality of life you are living. With therapy, your Grief Recovery Specialist will ensure that you learn new skills and tools to recover from the conflicting emotions and take the appropriate steps to ‘complete’ and recover from the loss.
Pearl Psychological’s Grief Recovery Support Group (GRSG) offers a safe and supportive environment for individuals experiencing grief and loss. Even though the loss might not be the same, the emotions that accompany each loss are similar, often providing connections for grievers. Even though grief is a natural part of life, people often lack the necessary tools and resources to navigate through their grief.
At Pearl Psychological, we collaborate to teach you those skills. In this action-based group therapy, guided by the Grief Recovery Method through the Grief Recovery Handbook, we create a space where you can work through your feelings without fear of analysis, criticism, or judgment. Group therapy can be a wonderful place to find others who are struggling with the same feelings, and who may understand the pain you are going through.
Grief Recovery Groups are to Connect and Process Your Loss
Your Grief Recovery Support Group facilitator, Vanessa Iceton, is a Grief Recovery Specialist with the Grief Recovery Institute. We use the proven Grief Recovery Method in our grief and loss groups; it is an evidence-based program that is proven to help individuals walk through grief in a healthy way. Vanessa will provide emotional support and guidance to ensure that you learn new skills and tools to ‘complete’ the hurt and pain and help you to heal from loss.
Your weekly participation and attendance in this 8-week closed-group format is vital to benefit in the healing and recovery process. “Closed groups” means participants register for the sessions, and once the group begins, only those who registered are permitted to attend. We encourage all who are part of the group to come to each session. This creates a feeling of emotional safety and trust among participants.
Participants of a variety of ages, genders, cultures, religions, sexual orientations, and abilities are welcomed in the group setting.
“The Grief Recovery Handbook” by John James and Russell Freidman serves as a valuable reading resource, complemented by weekly homework assignments, as you embark on your journey to recovery. Together with fellow participants, you’ll find solace and understanding as we explore the complexities of grief and embrace healing strategies rooted in the Grief Recovery Method. Through this group experience, you’ll discover the power of shared support and gain valuable insights to help you on your path towards healing and renewal. Let’s embark on this journey of healing together and find strength in community and understanding.
2026 Grief Recovery Support Groups:
Tuesday’s from 6p-8p from March 12, 2026 to April 30, 2026.
All of the above are in-person and are $880 per person. Please note, a minimum of 5 people are needed to run each group.
If you decide the group dynamic might not be the right fit for you, Vanessa Iceton can offer this program one-to-one with you. Please contact admin@pearlpsychological.com for more details or click here to register for our next group.
Your Guide to a Healthier and Happier Life
Let’s embark on this journey together. Book a session today, and let’s work towards a healthier, happier, and more balanced life. We look forward to connecting with you and being a part of your positive change.
