Grief or Loss

Grief and loss are a part of the human condition. Grief is typically considered to be brought on by the death of a loved one, but can also be triggered by any significant life-altering loss (such as a divorce or the loss of a job). Grief is a natural response to loss, but that doesn’t make it easy to deal with.  Symptoms of grief may include sadness, loneliness, anger, denial, depression and a myriad of other thoughts and feelings.  There is no “normal” amount of time for grief to pass, but if you find that your grief is not improving over time or that it is interfering with your everyday life, you may want to consider seeking professional help. A qualified grief counselor can help you to cope with the physical, emotional, social, spiritual, and cognitive responses to loss. Reach out to one of TherapyDen’s grief experts today.

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Grief is about so much more than death. Sometimes my clients are giving the loss of purpose they feel now that they've retired. The loss of a sense of place and belonging after moving into assisted living. The loss of the mom they once knew, as she slips into the grip of Alzheimer's. I always say - grief is everywhere - we are surrounded by it. Sometimes grief is sadness, sometimes it's relief. Most of the time it's everything in between.

— Tamara Statz, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in Saint Paul, MN

I received grief training during my internship at Agape Hospice. I worked with individuals who had experienced the death or impending death of a loved one and it was an honor to work with clients who were grieving.

— Mary Ann Wertz, Licensed Professional Counselor in Denver, CO
 

Grief is often associated with the loss of a loved one, but it is actually the emotional reaction to any major loss. Job loss, the death of a loved one or a divorce can all trigger grief. While grieving is a necessary process, it can also develop into unhealthy mental and emotional states. Knowing how to recognize a grief-related problem and understanding how to find grief management treatment program options can help you or someone you love cope with life after a significant loss.

— Yvonne LeVar, Licensed Clinical Social Worker in , WA

When you lose someone you love the floor drops out. Your whole body has to reorganize itself around the loss of a beloved. It is often not an experience to describe in words because it lives in a part of us that is deeper than words can express. You do not have to be in that place alone. If it would help to have a companion/guide I would be humbled to walk with you.

— Heidi Gray, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in Virtual sessions, CA
 

Grief has no time limit and it manifests differently for everyone, from walking down the grocery aisle to remembering what our life was like before we came out, grief can be complex. I work with individuals and groups to give space to reflect, heal, and continue to honor the person, identity, or life they may have lost. I would love to work with you to understand your grief and explore how your grief is a part of your life today while finding ways to aid in your healing journey.

— James Dvorak, Associate Marriage & Family Therapist in Burbank, CA

I am a Certified Grief Treatment Professional. I have many effective tools available to use which can guide you through this process.

— Patricia Bishop, Clinical Social Worker in Knoxville, TN
 

This is really the human experience as I've found. We all experience a variety of losses in life - from unmet expectations to changing relationships to retirement to the illness and/or death of a loved one - and we process that grief in a culture that does not support us as well as it could/should. Along with my own experiences with grief and loss, I have taken multiple classes and witnessed alongside numerous clients in their stories of grief and loss.

— Sherri Davidson, Associate Marriage & Family Therapist in Bellevue, WA

I have worked in health care and educational settings. My graduate thesis was on the topic of forgiveness and my early work was in hospice. I work with individuals in private sessions and when able offer groups for grief and loss. I utilize psychoeducation and healing processes, often working with people in their first year of the grief and loss process.

— Michelle North, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in Encinitas, CA
 

Recovery from grief is possible. As a Certified Grief Recovery Specialist, I can support you in regaining a sense of well-being. The Grief Recovery Method is an action-based, powerful, directed approach to healing from life’s deepest heartbreaks. As a Grief Recovery Specialist, I am not just trained to support you in your grief journey, but I have also used this action plan to heal from loss in my own life. Part of the Grief Recovery Method is that each loss is seen as your own, something that

— Crystal Bettenhausen-Bubulka, Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Coronado, CA

Emotionally preparing for the anticipated passing of a loved one; managing feelings and reactions to a death or loss of significance; support during the process of healing and acceptance

— Tianyu Zhang, Clinical Social Worker in New York, NY
 

"Grief and loss touch us all, arriving at our doorsteps in many ways. Left unattended, these sorrows can seep underground, darkening our days. It is our unexpressed sorrows, that, when left untouched, block our access to the vitality of the soul. To be able to freely move in and out of the soul's inner chambers, we must first clear the way. This requires finding meaningful ways to speak of sorrow and loss. It requires an apprenticeship with sorrow" - Francis W.

— Jennifer McCombs, Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Reno, NV

Grief comes in many forms. Sometimes it can be shocking, traumatic and destabilizing. Or sometimes we can feel numb or be surprised by how little we might feel. The paths we take the grieving process are unique. I'm not stranger to loss in my own life, and out of that has grown my commitment to helping someone walk what can sometimes be a lonely road.

— Joseph Hovemeyer, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in Sierra Madre, CA
 

We meet where you are in your grieving process, and you learn to make meaning out of loss, identify ways to continue to strengthen your bond with your loved one, and reengage in life on your timeline—no one else’s. Through the integration of healing talk therapy, expressive arts, and meaning-making exercises, you are able to share your loss stories, find meaning in your loss(es), and reconstruct a life that helps you maintain continuing bonds while reconstructing your new life.

— Lisa Rainwater, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in Winston Salem, NC

It does not matter how long ago or how the loss occurred. Saying goodbye, or not being able to say goodbye is life's toughest stuff.

— Courtney Burns, Therapist in Portland, OR
 

Many clients find me by searching for support after a miscarriage or stillbirth. I've worked with many people who have experienced this uniquely painful loss. This kind of grief is not only about the loss of your baby, but also the loss of all of your dreams for your child, the loss of the idea of what your family would look like, the loss of a part of you, and the loss of your expectations for your pregnancy. It takes as long as it takes to move through grief, so don't rush yourself.

— Kayce Hodos, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in , NC

Experiencing loss is a normal part of being human. Many misconceive it as a fixed set of stages, but my speciality focuses on different ways in which we can learn to live with grief in a way that allows us to explore and express sorrow and anger, while finding empowerment and connection with what's been lost. It can feel like we are stuck in our journey with grief, but with the help of evidence-based practices, we can unclog and integrate our loss into our lives.

— Cheyenne Bellarosa, Counselor in Aurora, CO
 

Everyone will experience loss in their lives. How we grieve is a unique process, however. I work with clients to normalize their own experience while assimilating to life after loss. Grief is never about "just getting over it".

— Jessica L Packman, Clinical Social Worker in Marietta, GA

Grief is a complex and natural response to loss, whether it's the passing of a loved one, the end of a relationship, or a significant life change. My therapeutic process honors your grieving process, providing a safe space to explore your emotions, memories, and fears. Together, we'll navigate the stages of grief, fostering healing and helping you find ways to honor and remember while gradually embracing hope and renewal.

— Michelle May, Counselor in West Bloomfield, MI