Grief is a deeply personal experience, yet it is often lived through with a profound sense of loneliness. Even when surrounded by others, a grieving person may feel that no one truly understands what they are going through. In this context, group therapy and support groups can offer valuable spaces—places to speak, listen, recognize oneself in others, and move forward without judgment and at one’s own pace.
The purpose of this blog is to clearly explain these two forms of support, their differences, their benefits, and to present concrete resources available in Montreal.
What Is Group Therapy?
Group therapy is a form of psychological treatment led by a licensed mental health professional, such as a psychologist or psychotherapist. It brings together several people experiencing similar challenges—for example, grief, a significant loss, or a major life transition—within a structured therapeutic setting.
How Group Therapy Works
Sessions generally follow a clear plan, with therapeutic goals defined in advance. Groups are often closed, meaning they have a specific start and end date, and participants commit to attending the full program. Sessions may be organized into progressive modules, with each meeting building on the previous one.
Active participation is encouraged: discussions, reflections, and exercises are an integral part of the therapeutic process.
Benefits of Group Therapy
Group therapy can help participants:
- better understand the emotions associated with grief;
- develop concrete strategies to adapt to loss;
- benefit from the expertise and guidance of a professional;
- build a sense of safety and trust through group cohesion.
In a grief context, group therapy can be especially helpful when suffering is intense, persistent, or significantly impacts daily life.
What Is a Support Group?
A support group is above all a space for support, sharing, and mutual aid, designed to promote general well-being, adaptation, and emotional healing. Unlike group therapy, it is not a structured psychological treatment.
Support groups may be facilitated by:
- community workers or social workers;
- trained volunteers;
- individuals who have themselves experienced a similar situation (often referred to as peer support or self-help groups).
Different Support Group Formats
Support groups can take several forms:
- Open (or drop-in) groups: participants can attend without long-term commitment, choosing sessions based on timing or themes.
- Closed groups: held over a set period with the same participants, but without a clinical treatment plan.
- Online or in-person groups, depending on available resources.
The framework is generally more flexible than therapy, with an emphasis on sharing experiences and mutual listening.
Benefits of Support Groups
Support groups help participants:
- break the isolation often felt after a loss;
- normalize emotions related to grief;
- feel understood by others living a similar reality;
- receive support without the pressure of a formal therapeutic process.
For many grieving individuals, support groups represent an accessible and reassuring first step toward seeking help.
Group Therapy or Support Group: What’s the Difference?
Although both forms of support take place in a group setting and offer a space for expression, their goals and structure differ clearly.
| Group Therapy | Support Group |
| Psychological treatment | Support and mutual aid |
| Led by a licensed professional | Variable facilitation |
| Structured therapeutic plan | No therapeutic plan |
| Often closed groups | Open or closed groups |
| Clinical objectives | Well-being and adaptation |
There is no universal choice. The right format depends on individual needs, the stage of the grief journey, and the type of support being sought. Some people feel safer in a structured therapeutic environment, while others prefer a more flexible space for sharing. It is also entirely possible to move from one to the other as needs evolve.
Grief Support Resources in Montreal
In Montreal, many community organizations offer individual accompaniment, grief groups, or grief-specific support groups that are accessible and complementary to therapeutic services.
Francophone resources
Association des familles de personnes assassinées ou disparues (AFPAD)
Support for individuals whose loved one was murdered or went missing, through individual accompaniment and group support.
afpad.ca | 1 877 484-0404
Fondation PalliAmi
Grief follow-up and volunteer accompaniment for those who have lost a loved one in a palliative care context.
palliami.org | 514 413-8777, poste 12-53-53
Le Phare Enfants et Familles
Support for families grieving the loss of a child due to illness, before the age of 18.
phare-lighthouse.com | 1 866 954-4848
Centre de ressources pour hommes de Montréal
Grief support groups for men, offered in a respectful, confidential setting tailored to their reality.
crhmontreal.ca | 1 514-355-8300
Le Centre de Prévention du Suicide de Montréal –
Specialized support for people grieving following a suicide.
cpsmontreal.ca/je-vis-un-deuil-par-suicide/ | 1 866 277-3553
Parents Orphelins
Support groups and accompaniment for parents who have lost a child.
parentsorphelins.org | 514-686-4880
Centre St-Pierre – SAPED
The Support Team for Bereaved Individuals (SAPED) offers grief groups and community-based accompaniment.
centrestpierre.org | 514-524-3561, poste 3333
Anglophone resources
Hope & Cope
Peer support for individuals grieving following a cancer diagnosis or loss, in collaboration with the Jewish General Hospital.
hopeandcope.ca | 514 340-3616
NOVA West Island
Bereavement support services for individuals and families in the West Island.
novawi.org/bereavement-support-adults | 514-695-8335
Why Seeking Support Matters
Grief is not something to “fix,” nor is it meant to be faced alone. Seeking support means acknowledging that pain deserves to be welcomed, heard, and accompanied. Whether through group therapy or a support group, these spaces allow people to set down what weighs heavily and gradually regain their footing.
They remind us of one essential truth: grief can be experienced in many different ways, without being alone.
Support can take many forms. For some, reading personal accounts or books about grief can also provide comfort and understanding. We have gathered a selection of such resources in our blog Books on Grief: Readings to Help You Rebuild, for those who wish to move forward at their own pace.
Finding Support, One Step at a Time
Group therapy and support groups are two different paths toward the same goal: not going through grief alone. One offers a structured therapeutic framework, while the other provides a space for sharing and mutual support. Both can bring comfort, meaning, and a bit more breathing room to keep moving forward—one day at a time.
