Grief Counselling for Adults

All counselling sessions are offered at no cost. They can be held in-person, by phone, or virtually. For questions, please contact Gabriele McSween RSW (OCSWSSW), Adult Bereavement Support at adultsupport@kemphospice.org or T 905.387.2448 ext. 2210.

 

Register below

Our Services

The Grief and Bereavement Team at Kemp Care Network (KCN) is here to support clients through their grieving journey. Understanding the uniqueness of each of our clients and the notion that everyone grieves differently, we want to meet our clients where they are in their grief, hear their stories, and work alongside them.

The Kemp Care Network offers individual conversation-based counselling and group support for adults 18 years and older.

Our Scope

Our services consist of conversation based counselling and supports for those grieving the death of someone. This service is offered to those who reside in the Hamilton area. This is offered through a trained KCN staff, students, or volunteers.

We use grief based practices such as activities and education to support those we see, with a safe space to express themselves. This aims to support them in understanding and coping with their reactions after the death of their person.

Kemp Care Network does not offer crisis, or emergency based counselling. 1:1 counselling (no family counselling) services are offered to those who are not actively receiving outside counselling, therapy, grief, or non grief related. All 1:1 supports are accessible only to those actively residing in the Hamilton area.

By filling out this form, you will be submitting a request to receive 1:1 support. Unfortunately due to high demands, we can not give a set time frame for when you will be able to be seen. Our team will review your request and will be in contact with you as soon as a spot becomes available for services to begin.

Forms are only to be filled out by recipients inquiring about service for themselves. If you are looking for information on service for someone else please call in to speak to our Bereavement Team directly

1:1 Counselling Requests (For Adults)

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Your Name(Required)
Your Birthday(Required)
Your Address(Required)
Preferred way to contact you?(Required)
Preferred way to receive counselling?(Required)
When they died?(Required)
Acknowledgment(Required)

Hamilton Spectator Reader's Choice Awards 2020 award for Bereavement Counselling

Grief Groups for Adults

For questions, please contact Gabriele McSween RSW (OCSWSSW), Adult Bereavement Support at adultsupport@kemphospice.org or T 905.387.2448 ext. 2210.

Private (Closed) Groups

Our private groups run three times a year, in the fall, winter, and spring.

Fall 2026 Groups registration is open (register below).

Please note that registration is mandatory to attend. Note that each groups runs for 8 consecutive weeks. All programs are offered at no cost and no previous affiliation with the hospice is required. 

Adult Grief Groups – Fall 2026 Session Registration Form

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Which grief group are you registering for?(Required)
If you would to register to more than one group, please refresh the page and fill out the form again.

Need More Information?

Please submit your inquiry via the contact form, and we will get in touch with you.
Contact Us

Healing Walk

Join us every other Friday at 11am or every other Tuesday at 6pm at the Bayfront Park for a relaxing walk as we discuss grief and loss in a supportive social atmosphere.

Upcoming walks:

  • June 16, 6 p.m.
  • June 19, 11 a.m.
  • June 30, 6 p.m.
  • July 3, 11 a.m.
  • July 14, 6 p.m.
  • July 17, 11 a.m.
  • July 27, 6 p.m.
  • July 31, 11 a.m.

Please fill in the mandatory registration form below, and we'll contact you with more information.

Healing Walk Registration Form

Name(Required)
Date of birth
Consent(Required)

Compassionate Listeners

Compassionate Listeners is a telephone-based grief support program designed for individuals in the first six (6) months following the death of a loved one. During this Early Grief Stabilization period, many people benefit from having someone who will simply listen, understand, and offer compassionate support.

Participants are matched with a trained volunteer who provides a caring presence through four (4) supportive phone calls, typically scheduled on a bi-weekly basis at a mutually agreed-upon time.

While Compassionate Listeners do not provide professional counselling, they offer:

  • A compassionate and non-judgmental listener
  • Emotional support and validation
  • Meaningful conversation and connection
  • A safe space to share thoughts and feelings

Important Information

This is a peer support program and is not a counselling or crisis intervention service. Volunteers are not trained to provide immediate support for individuals experiencing a crisis or mental health emergency.

This program offers comfort, connection, and understanding during the early stages of the grief journey.

To register, please fill in the form below.

For additional information or questions please contact Kayla Dennahower (R/TRO), Program Coordinator
volunteerprogram@kempcarenetwork.org or call 905-387-2448 ext. 2209

Compassionate Listeners Registration

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Preparing Children for the Death of a Loved One

Compassionate support for families facing a life-limited illness, helping children and caregivers navigate emotional challenges when a death is expected.

What Is Anticipatory Grief?

When a child or youth is facing the expected death of someone they love, grief often begins long before the loss itself. Changes in routines, medical uncertainty, symptom changes, and emotional shifts within the family can create confusion, fear, and unanswered questions. Without clear information and supportive guidance, children may imagine scenarios that feel more frightening than reality or struggle to express what they are feeling.

Anticipatory grief support helps children and youth make sense of what’s happening in age-appropriate ways. Early support can reduce anxiety, strengthen family attachment, and build long-term coping skills that carry into bereavement.

How We Can Help

Our child life specialist provides developmentally-informed support for both children and caregivers during a life-limiting illness. We work alongside families to:

  • Help caregivers find language for difficult conversations
  • Offer age-appropriate explanations about illness and expected changes
  • Support children in expressing feelings through play, conversation, and art
  • Create opportunities for memory-making and meaningful connection

Sessions may include caregiver consultation or individual child support depending on your needs. Our goal is not to remove the pain of what is happening, but to ensure that children feel informed and supported throughout the process.

What Is a Child Life Specialist?

A child life specialist (CLS) is a healthcare professional trained in the developmental, emotional, and social needs of children and youth ages 0-17. CLS are trained to support children, youth, and families during times of significant stress, illness, hospitalization, or significant life changes, such as loss and bereavement. 

Child Life Specialist Referral Form (For Families with Children Ages 0-17)

Reason for Referral (check all that apply):(Required)

Parent/Caregiver’s Name:(Required)
Preferred Way of Contact

Has a death occured?(Required)

Address of service recipient(Required)

Referrer’s Name (if not completed by family):

Consent to participate in parent consultation/grief support:(Required)

About the Retreat

Honouring the Journey: Carrying Love Forward is a weekend retreat for people grieving the death of a spouse or life partner. It offers a supportive setting to step away from daily responsibilities, connect with others who understand and take part in guided grief support, reflective activities, gentle movement and time in nature. The weekend is designed to help participants process their loss, honour their ongoing connection and explore practical ways of coping as they move forward.

Important Dates

  • Deadline to express interest: Wednesday, September 30, 2026 (Space is limited!)
  • Retreat dates: Friday, October 16 to Sunday, October 18, 2026
  • Location: The Retreat House, 120 Tyrol Ave., Ravenna, ON N0H 2E0
  • Retreat fee: $676

How It Works

  1. Submit the interest form below.
  2. Gabriele McSween will contact you for a brief conversation about the retreat.
  3. If the retreat is a good fit and space is available, your place will be confirmed and you’ll receive a private payment link.

Once your registration has been confirmed, you may choose to pay the full program fee of $676 or secure your spot with a non-refundable deposit of $300. The remaining balance of $376 is due by September 16, 2026.

Meals provided as part of the retreat are vegetarian. Participants are responsible for arranging and covering the cost of their own transportation to and from the program.

The retreat fee ($676) includes:

  • Two nights’ accommodation
  • Friday dinner
  • Saturday breakfast and dinner (Saturday lunch is not included)
  • Sunday breakfast/brunch
  • A retreat journal and program materials
  • Facilitated grief support circles and workshops
  • Guided breathwork and gentle yoga
  • Nature-based reflection and walking
  • Expressive arts and letter writing
  • A remembrance fire ceremony

Express Interest in the Retreat

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Your Name(Required)
Preferred way to contact you?(Required)
Are you 18 years of age or older?(Required)
Your home postal code
When did your spouse or life partner die?(Required)
Consent(Required)

Caregiver Consultation & Guidance

Individual sessions designed to help parents and caregivers understand how children (ages 0-17) grieve and receive practical tools to support your grieving child at their developmental stage.

How Will This Help Me?

If you are a parent, grandparent, or anyone else who is caring for a grieving infant, child, or teenager, you are in the right place. When a child is grieving, it can be hard to know what is “normal”, what to say, and how much support they need. You may be wondering things like:

  • Are these behaviours and emotions normal?
  • What words do I use to answer their questions?
  • How do I tell my child that someone has died or is going to die?
  • How do I prepare my child for funerals, memorials, or a celebration of life?
  • How do we set up supports at school?

Our child life specialist provides individualized consultation sessions, to provide you with a supportive space to share your concerns, ask difficult questions, and receive clear, developmentally informed guidance. You’ll leave with concrete tools, empowering you to respond with confidence and compassion to navigate ongoing grief.  

What Is a Child Life Specialist?

A child life specialist (CLS) is a healthcare professional trained in the developmental, emotional, and social needs of children and youth ages 0-17. CLS are trained to support children, youth, and families during times of significant stress, illness, hospitalization, or significant life changes, such as loss and bereavement. 

Child Life Specialist Referral Form (For Families with Children Ages 0-17)

Reason for Referral (check all that apply):(Required)

Parent/Caregiver’s Name:(Required)
Preferred Way of Contact

Has a death occured?(Required)

Address of service recipient(Required)

Referrer’s Name (if not completed by family):

Consent to participate in parent consultation/grief support:(Required)

Grief Counselling for Children & Youth

The Kemp Care Network offers age-appropriate grief counselling sessions for children ages 6-17. These may be a combination of family sessions, sibling sessions, or individual.

The Grief and Bereavement Team at Kemp Care Network is here to support children, youth, and families through their grieving journey. Understanding the uniqueness of each of our clients and the notion that everyone grieves differently, we want to meet our clients where they are in their grief, hear their stories, and work alongside them.

Our Scope

Our services consist of child life specialist grief supports for children and youth who are grieving the death of someone.

Sessions may include a mix of therapeutic play, education, medical play, expressive arts, and other age-appropriate activities, all with the goal of creating a safe space to express themselves and process their grief. This is offered through trained KCN staff or students.

Kemp Care Network does not offer crisis, or emergency-based counselling. For crisis services, please connect with:

  • Kids Help Phone (https://kidshelpphone.ca/ or call 1-800-668-6868)
  • COAST (Crisis Outreach and Support Team) – 905-972-8338
  • McMaster Children’s Emergency Department (1200 Main St W, Hamilton) – 911

All 1:1 supports are accessible only to those actively residing in the Hamilton area and are offered at no cost. Sessions may be held in-person or virtually via Microsoft Teams.

 

Child Life Specialist Referral Form (For Families with Children Ages 0-17)

Reason for Referral (check all that apply):(Required)

Parent/Caregiver’s Name:(Required)
Preferred Way of Contact

Has a death occured?(Required)

Address of service recipient(Required)

Referrer’s Name (if not completed by family):

Consent to participate in parent consultation/grief support:(Required)

Hamilton Spectator Reader's Choice Awards 2020 award for Bereavement Counselling

Child and Youth Grief Groups

The Grief and Bereavement Team at Kemp Care Network supports children, teens and families, recognizing that everyone experiences grief differently. We meet each child or teen where they are, listen to their story and work alongside them.

What to expect

Our grief groups are led by our child life specialist and trained bereavement volunteers. Each group meets every other week after school for five sessions. The same participants attend all five sessions. Registration is required before the group begins.

Through games, creative activities and guided discussion, children and teens can express their thoughts and feelings, ask questions, build coping skills and discover they are not alone. Participation is always voluntary, and no one is expected to share more than they feel comfortable sharing. Whether the death happened recently or several years ago, children and teens are welcome.

These groups are designed to support well-being and connection but are not therapy or counselling groups. Before the group begins, a member of our team will connect with each family to learn more about the child or teen’s needs and talk through what they can expect.

Submit the interest form

Need More Information?

Please submit your inquiry via the contact form, and we will get in touch with you.
Contact Us

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