Counselling

Confidential grief and bereavement counselling and support is available to:

• adults, adolescents, children
• individuals, couples, families
• workplace, schools and health professionals impacted by loss

Services offered by the Centre are primarily focused on supporting people who have experienced a death or are living with/caring for someone with a life limiting illness. However, counselling services also support grief following loss of health, pet, relationship, employment, home, faith and other such losses.

Sonia has extensive experience in supporting children following a loss.  Where practicable and appropriate, preference is to support bereaved children under the age of 8, through a trusted primary care giver(s).  Sonia will support the carer by building knowledge about children and grief; enabling open conversations with the child about loss particularly where it relates to death and/or dying; enhance understanding of grief in the family context; explore strategies for children and families to cope and build resilience together.

Where the primary carer is not able/ available to support the child, Sonia will provide a safe space for the child to explore and understand their loss experience and build healthy coping mechanisms to work with this.  Sonia can assist you to determine the type and level of support most appropriate for you and your child.

Referral Options

You can self refer by either phoning directly or sending an enquiry here. Alternatively, you can consent to a friend, family member or health professional facilitating contact with the Centre on your behalf.

A referral from a medical practitioner is not required to access the Centre, further ensuring the confidentiality of your visit. A Mental Health Plan is not required to access services.

Fee for Service Practice

The Centre is a private, fee for service practice.  It does not receive Government or any other form of allocated funding to deliver services.

Currently, Government rebates are not available for services offered at the Centre. However, the fee is commensurate with the gap you may be expected to pay under a Medicare rebated service. You might like to read our blog regarding Mental Health Plans and counselling services . Check with your private health fund for available insurance rebates on counselling services.  Current service provider with BUPA, Police Health, Medibank, Doctors Health Fund, AHM, Saint Lukes, Phoenix Health, Emergency Services Health, Grand United, Teachers Health and HCF.

Payment can be made by cash or EFTPOS at the end of the appointment.

Structure of Appointments

All appointments are one hour in duration unless discussed and agreed by both parties prior. An appointment can generally be made within two to three weeks following your initial enquiry.  There may be times in a year where books close for a short period due to demand.

Your needs at this time will be unique and treated as such each time you visit the Centre. You will not be expected nor required to attend a fixed number of appointments. The frequency of visits will be determined by you in consultation with the counsellor, to ensure you continue to cope and adapt to your loss in a way that is meaningful for you.

To discuss your personal needs, please contact the Centre.

Bears of Hope (pregnancy and infant loss support group) – Counsellor Facilitated

Bears of Hope will be running a Canberra based support group for parents who have experienced pregnancy or infant loss. These groups will be facilitated by Sonia from Canberra Grief Centre. The aim of the group is to hear from others/ share with others (as you feel comfortable to do so) who walk a similar journey. The group is offered in an informal, relaxed environment.

Where: Location varies each month.  Once registered with Bears of Hope, you will be notified in advance of the monthly meeting venue. 

ACT Coronial Support Groups

Canberra Grief Centre will facilitate two pilot support groups for families who have experienced a death which was investigated under the ACT Coronial process.  Details of these groups are as follows:

Open Group: The open group provides an informal space for bereaved families to meet and connect with others experiencing loss and grief following a death which was referred to the ACT Coroners Court.  This groups is facilitated by experienced clinicians and will run over eight meetings between June and December 2024. 

 When: 6pm – 8pm

Bereaved by Suicide Support Group – Counsellor Facilitated

Bereaved by Suicide Support  – Peer Facilitated

This support group is an informal meeting of parents bereaved by suicide.  It is not attended nor facilitated by a counsellor, but rather the strength of the group is being with others who are experiencing similar loss and grief.

Dates:  Second Saturday of the month
Location:   Bookplate Cafe, National Library
Time:  1.30pm
Contact: Verlene on 

Partner Loss Support Group – Peer Facilitated

This support group is an informal meeting for those who have experienced the death of a partner or spouse.  It is not attended nor facilitated by a counsellor, but rather the strength of the group is being with others who are experiencing similar loss and grief.

Dates:  Monthly
Location:   Varies each month
Website:  https://www.partner-loss-support-canberra.com/
Contact: (02) 62971052 or email: 

Death of a Parent Support Group – Peer Facilitated

Young adults living with grief after a parent dies

This group is for youth aged 16-30ish who have experienced the death of a parent or parent-figure. The aim of the group is to meet others who have experienced a similar loss and to support each other through informal discussion.  The group is managed and facilitated by bereaved young adults.

Bereaved Dads Fireside Group – Peer Facilitated

 For the past couple years I’ve been organising the Canberra bereaved dad’s fireside group. We meet in a natural setting on the first Friday of every month to spend a few hours by the fire.  
We’ve all been through loss, and it can be a relief to be around others who might know what your going through. But aside from the connection through loss, its also just relaxing to get away for a few hours to check in with mates each month.  If you are in Canberra and you feel like joining us or know someone who might please get in touch. We’re are welcoming and approachable.  There is never any pressure and never any judgement. More than happy to answer questions or have chat at any time.

We don’t do therapy or counselling.  This is a peer network, no organisational affiliation.  We take responsibility for our own actions at catch ups.  

 ‘Feel the Magic’ – Camp for Bereaved Children