Grief & Loss Therapy
Grief and loss therapy is a form of counseling designed to help individuals cope with the emotional, psychological, and sometimes physical effects of losing someone or something significant—such as a loved one, a relationship, a job, or even a pet. This type of therapy acknowledges that grief is a deeply personal and non-linear experience, and it provides a safe, supportive space to process those feelings.
- Talk Therapy (Psychodynamic or Humanistic)
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Complicated Grief Therapy (CGT)
- Narrative Therapy
- Mindfulness-Based Therapies
Goals of Grief and Loss Therapy
- Help you understand and process your emotions (sadness, anger, guilt, numbness, confusion).
Support you in adjusting to life without the loss.
Guide you through any unresolved issues or regrets.
Provide coping strategies for grief triggers and anniversaries.
Facilitate healing and meaning-making, when you’re ready.
Common Approaches Used
- Talk Therapy (Psychodynamic or Humanistic)
Explores feelings, thoughts, and memories surrounding the loss in a supportive, reflective space. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Helps identify and reframe negative thought patterns that might be complicating grief (e.g., guilt or self-blame).Complicated Grief Therapy (CGT)
Specifically targets prolonged or traumatic grief when it disrupts daily functioning.Narrative Therapy
Encourages you to tell your story and integrate the loss into your personal life narrative.Mindfulness-Based Therapies
Teach present-moment awareness and acceptance, helpful when emotions feel overwhelming.
What a Session Might Look Like
- Discussion of your current emotional state.
Reflection on memories, regrets, or unresolved issues.
Exploration of the relationship with who or what was lost.
Learning strategies to manage grief waves and rebuild routines.
Space for rituals, symbolic acts, or memorialization, if desired.
When to Seek Therapy
- You feel stuck in your grief and unable to move forward.
Your grief is disrupting daily life, relationships, or health.
You’re experiencing depression, anxiety, or trauma symptoms.
You’ve lost multiple people or endured a traumatic loss (e.g., suicide, sudden death).
You’re feeling guilt, shame, or numbness that won’t ease.