A Trauma-Informed Therapy Group for Young Adults Grieving a Traumatic Loss
Grief can feel unbearable at any age, but for young adults, it often comes with an added layer of isolation. Friends may not understand what you’re going through. Milestones like graduation, building your career, starting a family, or exploring relationships may feel impossible or hollow without the person who should still be here. And on top of the pain, there’s pressure—from society, social media, or even well-meaning people in your life—to “move on” quickly and get back to normal.
This six-week online therapy group is designed for young adults (20s & 30s) who have experienced a sudden, unexpected, or rapid death due to suicide, overdose, accident, or medical emergency. The group offers a safe and supportive space to process your grief with others who understand what it’s like to carry a traumatic loss while trying to build a life.
This group might be a fit if you:
- Lost someone suddenly and unexpectedly within (roughly) the past two years
- Are in your 20s, 30s or close to them.
- Find it hard to talk to people your age about your grief
- Feel stuck, overwhelmed, or alone in your experience of loss
- Want to learn trauma-informed strategies to cope and move forward
- Are looking for a space to explore your grief without being rushed through it
Some of the common experiences we’ll address include:
- Feeling like your grief is “too much” for the people around you
- Disrupted milestones—career, dating, parenting
- Friends who don’t get it, and relationships that feel distant
- Feeling “too young” for this kind of loss
- The pressure to bounce back quickly and “get over it”
- Navigating grief alone while trying to build a future
The Group Details
🗓️ Starts: Wednesday, October 1, 2025; continues every wednesday until Wednesday, November 5, 2025.
🖥️ Location: Zoom (link will be provided after registration)
⏰ Time: 8pm – 9:15pm
💵 Cost: $80 CAD billed each week ($480 total)*
*Please note: The full fee is required regardless of partial participation.
📃 Receipts will be provided for Registered Psychotherapy (RP) which is eligible for reimbursement by most extended health benefit plans.
The group size is limited to 8 participants to keep it supportive and safe.
To register or ask questions, email aly@alybird.com
Subject line: Grief Group Registration
What to Expect
Each session includes a mix of psychoeducation, experiential exercises, and supportive group discussion. You’ll learn how trauma affects the nervous system, practice grounding techniques, and explore how grief shows up in your relationships, identity, and body. Modalities include EMDR tools, Emotionally Focused Therapy, somatic practices, and narrative therapy.
This is not a drop-in or open group—it’s a closed container that allows you to build safety and trust with a consistent group of peers over six weeks.
Weekly Themes
Week One: Orientation & Safety in Grief
- Introductions and community agreements
- What trauma-informed care means
- Understanding sudden loss: why your grief may feel so intense, disorienting, or isolating
- Grounding strategies for nervous system support
Week Two: Grief, Shock & the Nervous System
- Psychoeducation on acute grief and trauma responses
- Psychoeducation on grief reactions and responses
- Connection between trauma and grief
Week Three: The Many Layers of Loss
- What did you lose besides the person? (identity, community, safety, plans)
- Collective vs. individual loss
- Validating complicated grief reactions
Week Four: Tending to Guilt, Anger, and the “What Ifs”
- Exploring meaning-making, regret, and blame
- Psychoeducation on survivor’s guilt
- Creating space for anger
Week Five: Staying Connected While Moving Forward
- Continuing bonds theory
- Navigating life milestones without your person
- Rituals (private and communal)
Week Six: Closure & Continuing the Work
- Naming takeaways and shifts from the group
- Anticipating future grief spikes (anniversaries, seasons, milestones)
- How to support yourself post-group
Group Outcomes
- Reduced isolation and increased validation
- A deeper understanding of traumatic grief
- Coping tools you can use in daily life
- Better sleep and emotional regulation
- More language to describe your experience
- A sense of connection and shared humanity
About the Facilitator
Aly Bird (she/her) is a Registered Psychotherapist and EMDR Certified Therapist who specializes in supporting traumatically bereaved young adults. Her clinical practice is trauma-informed, grief-centered, and grounded in attachment theory. Aly is passionate about helping people navigate grief while still building a meaningful life. Learn more about Aly here.
How to Join
Spots are limited. To inquire or book a free consultation to ask questions and learn more about the therapy group, email Aly at aly@alybird.com with the subject line: Grief Therapy Group.
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