Grief & Loss Counselling in Saint John, Fredericton & Across New Brunswick

Losing a loved one or experiencing a significant loss can leave you feeling overwhelmed, lost and unsure of how to move forward. Grief is deeply personal, and no two journeys are the same. At Laura Gatien & Associates, we provide a safe, compassionate space where you can process your emotions, find comfort and begin to heal at your own pace.

How we can help

Grief can impact every aspect of your life—your emotions, your physical health, and even your sense of identity. But you don’t have to face it alone. Our grief counselling services are designed to honor your unique experience and support you through the healing process. Here’s how we can help:

  • A Safe, Nonjudgmental Space
    We recognize that everyone grieves differently. Our counsellors provide a compassionate environment where you can share memories, speak openly about your loss, and explore both the pain and the love beneath your grief. There is no expectation for you to grieve in a “right” or “wrong” way—your emotional experience is heard and validated.

  • Practical Coping Strategies
    Grief often manifests physically as well as emotionally—sleep disturbances, fatigue, or changes in appetite are common. We offer tools to help you manage these day-to-day challenges, such as relaxation techniques, journaling exercises, and mindfulness practices that foster emotional resilience and reduce feelings of overwhelm.

  • Support for Different Types of Loss
    While grief is commonly associated with death, it can also arise from other life transitions, such as divorce, job loss, a significant health diagnosis, or even a major move. Our counsellors are equipped to guide you through the nuances of diverse losses, helping you process complex feelings like guilt, anger, or relief, as well as the lingering sadness that can accompany any major change.

  • Guidance in Finding Meaning and Moving Forward
    One of the most challenging aspects of grief is feeling like life has been irrevocably altered. Our counselling sessions focus on helping you redefine what moving forward looks like—without dismissing or minimizing your loss. We work collaboratively with you to explore new perspectives, nurture personal growth, and integrate your past experiences in ways that honor your loved one or the life you left behind.

WHO WE HELP

Grief affects everyone differently, and there’s no right or wrong way to experience it. We offer counselling for individuals at all stages of grief, including:

  • Adults Coping with Loss: Whether you’ve recently lost a loved one or have been struggling with grief for years, we provide a supportive space to help you process emotions, navigate daily life and find a path forward.

  • Parents & Families: Loss within a family can be particularly complex. We help parents, children and family members work through grief together or individually, fostering connection and healing.

  • Grieving After Miscarriage or Infant Loss: The loss of a pregnancy or infant is a profound and deeply personal experience. We offer compassionate support to individuals and couples navigating this unique form of grief.

  • Loss Due to Life Transitions: Grief isn’t always about death. Major life changes—such as divorce, career changes or the loss of a significant relationship—can bring overwhelming emotions. We help clients process these transitions and rediscover a sense of stability.

  • Caregivers & Loved Ones of Those with Terminal Illness: Anticipatory grief can be just as painful as loss itself. We can support caregivers and family members coping with the emotional weight of a loved one’s illness, helping them prepare and find moments of peace along the way.

We offer in-person grief counselling in Saint John and Fredericton, as well as online across New Brunswick. 

How Grief Counselling Works

Grief counselling provides a supportive space to help you process your loss, understand your emotions and develop coping strategies. Sessions are tailored to your unique needs and may include open conversations about your loss, guided reflections and practical techniques to manage overwhelming feelings.

Using evidence-based approaches such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and integrating attachment theory and mindfulness, we explore your grief at a pace that feels right for you. There is no timeline for healing—whether you need short-term support or ongoing guidance, grief counselling offers a compassionate path forward, helping you find meaning and peace while honouring your loss.

The first step in connecting with a grief counsellor in Fredericton or Saint John is to fill out this form. Based on your requirements, we’ll match you with someone we feel is best suited to help you. 

Counselling sessions can be conducted in-person or virtually, whichever you prefer. Sessions typically run 50 minutes long. How often you attend sessions is discussed collaboratively and is based on your needs and schedule. You are always in control of your therapy, working at your own pace, and can choose the frequency and length to best suit your needs.

How much does grief counselling cost? 

Therapy sessions with a registered social worker (RSW) or licensed counselling therapist (LCT) are $150 for 50 minutes. 

Our counselling fees are not covered by Medicare but are covered by many extended health insurance plans.

Our clinic has therapists who are either registered social workers (RSW) or Licensed Counselling Therapists (LCT).

You must check your specific plan for what you have coverage for, as coverage is different for each policy. Verify that your plan covers counselling/therapy with a MSW, RSW or LCT. Your insurance may state you have coverage for clinical counsellor or psychotherapist, which would cover LCT or social worker. 

We also offer direct billing with many different insurance companies, which allows you to keep more money in your pocket. We can direct bill Blue Cross, Veterans Affairs (VAC), Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), Canada Life, Claim Secure, Chamber of Commerce, Work Safe, NIHB, Department of Social Development, and more provided your plan is set up for direct billing. You are still responsible for any co-pay amounts at the time of service.  

Is grief counselling covered by insurance?

About Laura Gatien & Associates

At Laura Gatien & Associates, we take a proactive and collaborative approach to mental health treatment, offering clients access a diverse team of professionals with various expertise and specialties who learn from and can refer to one another. We take a holistic approach to treatment and believe everything makes perfect sense in the context of your life experiences.

Quality care is very important to us as a team, and we ensure this is upheld through regular clinical meetings, ongoing professional development and training opportunities, as well as using evidence-based frameworks. This helps us provide you with the best care for your individual needs so you can make progress sooner.

Our clients benefit from shared resources that exist within a team and the peace of mind that they are not just working with an individual, but are part of a broader mental health community learning and growing together.

We prioritize accessibility and availability of services, providing limited wait times and evening appointments to accommodate diverse schedules. We will regularly ask for feedback on your experience here so we can continue to improve.

Our Therapists

  • “My therapist has helped me uncover and overcome so many obstacles.”

  • “My relationship with my therapist provides the support to face challenges as they come.”

  • “I feel so heard and supported. My therapist has been a great fit after my separation.”

  • “Very professional, everyone is super kind and supportive.”

  • “I feel comfortable there, the atmosphere is warm and welcoming. I’m receiving excellent support from my therapist.”

From The Blog

You Don’t Have To Go Through This Alone

Whether your loss is recent or something you’ve carried for years, healing is possible. Together, we will work through your grief in a way that feels right for you—without pressure, without timelines, just compassionate support. If you’re ready to take the first step toward healing, get in touch today.