Find a Mental Health Professional for Grief, Loss & Life Changes

About Grief, Loss & Life Changes support

Grief is a natural response to loss. The loss of a person, a relationship, a job, a pregnancy, or a sense of the future you expected can all cause grief. There is no correct way to grieve, and no fixed timeline. Sometimes grief becomes complicated or prolonged in ways that feel impossible to move through alone. A therapist or counsellor can provide a safe space to process the loss, understand what you are feeling, and find your way forward at your own pace. Seeking support is not a sign that you are not coping. It is a recognition that some losses are too big to carry alone.

Support resources

• GriefLine

  Free telephone and online counselling for grief and loss, available 7 days a week.

• The Compassionate Friends Australia

  Peer support for parents, siblings, and family members who have experienced the death of a child.

• Beyond Blue: Grief

  Information on grief, how it differs from depression, and when to seek help.

Further reading

• How to get a Mental Health Care Plan

  How to access Medicare-rebated therapy sessions through your GP, including what to expect and how many sessions you can access each year.

Frequently asked questions

How do I find a grief counsellor or bereavement therapist in Australia?

You can search this directory filtering for grief and loss to find practitioners with specific expertise in bereavement support. Your GP can also provide a referral and a Mental Health Treatment Plan if your grief is significantly affecting your mental health and daily functioning. Some grief counsellors work outside the Medicare system but offer lower-cost or sliding-scale fees, particularly through community organisations and hospice services.

How do I know if my grief is normal or if I need professional help?

Grief is personal and there is no right amount of time to feel it. Signs that you might benefit from professional support include grief that intensifies rather than eases over time, an inability to carry out daily activities after several months, feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness, or thoughts of self-harm.

What is the difference between grief and depression?

Grief and depression share some symptoms, like low mood and withdrawal. The key difference is that grief usually comes in waves and is tied to the loss, while depression tends to be more persistent and pervasive. A psychologist can help distinguish between the two and determine whether treatment for depression is also needed.

Is grief counselling covered by Medicare in Australia?

Medicare rebates are available when grief is assessed by a GP as significantly affecting your mental health and you receive a Mental Health Treatment Plan. This gives you access to subsidised sessions with a registered psychologist, mental health social worker, or occupational therapist. Not all grief counselling is covered by Medicare, particularly sessions with counsellors who are not registered under the Medicare system, so it is worth asking your practitioner about costs upfront.

What is the difference between normal grief and prolonged grief disorder?

Normal grief involves intense sadness, longing, and distress that gradually eases over months, though it may resurface around anniversaries and milestones. Prolonged grief disorder (sometimes called complicated grief) is diagnosed when grief remains intensely disabling beyond 12 months after a loss for adults, and significantly interferes with daily life. If you are unsure whether what you are experiencing is prolonged grief, a psychologist or GP can help you assess this and identify the most appropriate support.

Can I get a Medicare rebate for grief counselling?

Yes, in many cases. A Mental Health Care Plan from your GP allows access to sessions with a psychologist at a Medicare rebate. Your GP may need to document how grief is affecting your mental health to justify the plan.

What types of therapy help with grief?

Grief-focused therapy, narrative therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and compassion-focused therapy are all used with people experiencing grief. The most important factor is finding a therapist you feel comfortable with.

Is there support for losing a pregnancy or baby?

Yes. Pregnancy loss, miscarriage, stillbirth, and the death of a newborn are forms of grief that are often under-recognised. SANDS Australia offers peer support and counselling referrals for miscarriage, stillbirth, and newborn death. The PANDA helpline also covers perinatal grief.