Grief Therapy

When you're coping with grief, it can feel like you're underwater while everyone else is still walking on land. Grief—whether fresh or long-standing—pulls the rug out from under us. It affects our entire system and feels like hell. It is, quite literally, life-altering.

The grieving process is a bumpy road.

"Grief isn’t just an alternative universe, it’s the nastiest, cattiest, meaner-than-a-slighted-and-jealous-mean-girl snake... Grief is a cobra. It is fierce, hides, lurks, strikes, and it can be brutal or even fatal. And it is lived in the body; it can be seen and felt and touched. It is not an intellectual experience; it is a bodily one."
— Emily Rapp, The Still Point of a Turning World

Grief can be like a roller coaster on a track that never goes the same way twice. In early grief, our minds play tricks on us, swinging us between the past and present, leaving us emotionally dizzy. Eventually, we may have “good days” and “bad days,” but still feel the sting of a new reality—and little patience for the small stuff.

The idea of stages of grief can help, but the truth is: grief is not linear. You might be functioning on the outside—back to work, going through the motions—but when stress or reminders hit, pain can resurface instantly. You may have lost someone years ago, and yet a life transition—becoming a parent, experiencing a new loss—can reawaken the grief.

You don’t just “get over it.”

In our culture of positivity and “moving on,” the message around us often feels like: “Get over it.”
But we don’t, do we?

Sometimes sadness and ruminating feel like the only ways we have to stay connected to those we’ve lost. Trying to step away from the pain, even briefly, can feel like betrayal. And then comes guilt… or confusion. Sometimes, we even feel guilt for not feeling more grief.

Everyone grieves differently. There's no right amount of time, no perfect way to feel.

My story

When I lost my mother at twenty-four, I floundered in a morass of painful and confused emotions with little support. I tried journaling, writing poetry, talking to friends—but it wasn’t until I found a compassionate art therapist that I felt truly seen. Through art, I was finally able to grieve, express, and begin healing.

That experience changed my life.

When I trained to become an art therapist and counselor, I knew I wanted to help others navigate their own grief. Today, with over 15 years of experience in the mental health field and a specialization in bereavement, I understand both the unique challenges and the quiet, surprising rewards that griefwork can bring.

"This desire to make sense of the chaos is a natural part of healing... We must guard our own internal responses, trust our own sense of things, and allow the process, like birth, to guide us."
— Nancy Cobb, In Lieu of Flowers

How grief therapy can help

If we can linger with grief, without escaping or suppressing it, we can survive even the deepest pain. And with the right support, we can eventually integrate loss into a life well-lived.

But support from loved ones isn’t always enough—or even possible. That’s where therapy can help.

Coping with an impending loss?

If someone in your life has a life-limiting illness, you may be caught between two worlds—trying to support them while quietly bracing for what’s to come. This is anticipatory grief—and your care for yourself during this time is just as essential as the care you give to others.

Wondering if grief counseling is right for you?

“I’ve heard about the ‘grief process,’ but it feels like it will never end. Will I ever finish ‘processing’ this?”

Grief unfolds differently for everyone. You may revisit stages or get stuck. But if you allow the process to unfold with curiosity, connect with meaning, and tell your story to someone who can truly listen—healing can happen.

Grief may not ever feel “finished,” but the pain will change. You’ll learn to relate to it differently, and it won’t hold you back from living the life you want.

“What will I do in grief therapy? It’s too hard to talk about my loss.”

That’s okay.

In grief counseling with me, we will take things at your pace. We’ll explore your experience of loss, the meaning of your relationship, and how grief may be getting in the way of your day-to-day life. Together, we’ll work to soften its impact.

And if you're open to it, we may incorporate creative expression—art, writing, collage—to give shape to your grief. These practices aren’t about making something beautiful; they’re about making something visible. Art can help you make sense of the surreal and give you space to remember, reflect, and begin to heal.

Ready to take the next step?

If you’d like to schedule an appointment or ask questions about grief counseling, please reach out.

I offer a free 30-minute consultation by phone or in-person. I do my best to return all messages within 1-2 business days.