Grief & Loss Counseling

for life events both big and small

Individual therapy in the Greater Boston area and throughout Massachusetts.

 

Grief and loss come in many different forms.

 

  • Loss of a loved one 

  • Divorce or breakup

  • End of a friendship

  • Loss of identity due to a change of employment or retirement

  • Grieving changes to our body due to aging or medical issues/treatment 

  • Pet loss

  • Anticipatory grief for someone who has a terminal illness, dementia, or Alzheimer's

  • Grieving how you thought your life would look or be

When you lose someone or something important, it can feel disorienting and lonely. Even with supportive people around you. Your life might seem like it has stopped while the rest of the world keeps going. Maybe you feel like your loss isn’t understood or as important as others’ losses. 

The most significant loss is the loss of anything or anyone that matters to you.

You might feel there is supposed to be a timeline for your grief, yet everyone’s timeline is individual. There is nothing wrong with you. It’s O.K. that you’re not O.K. 

Some of the symptoms of grief:*

  • Physical — exhaustion, body pain, shortness of breath, headaches, sleep problems, appetite, and weight changes

  • Emotional — numbness, sadness, irritability and anger, fear, anxiety, vulnerability, relief, and guilt

  • Social — withdrawing or isolating from others, easily reactive and agitated, feeling as though we should have a timeline on our grief and don’t want to be a burden

  • Cognitive — difficulty concentrating or making decisions, easily distracted, hard time retaining information, numbness

  • Relationships — hypervigilance regarding your or your loved one's health and safety

*Adapted from Recognizing Symptoms of Grief by Debbi Jenkins Frankle, LMFT (link)

 

Grief is the normal and natural response to a significant loss or change.

 

Our response can be influenced by a number of things—the circumstances of our loss, the nature of the relationship we had, or the type of support we have around us.  Often, we aren’t taught how to deal with grief, talk about our grief, or support the people in our lives through their grief. 

Therapy can help you feel less alone and more compassionate towards your grieving process. Our work will help you engage in life again and feel more connected to yourself and your relationships. There is no such thing as “moving on” or “getting over” our grief. However, there is a way to live with our loss and create a life with meaning and purpose.

We all experience grief and loss at some point in our lives. I have experienced loss and understand what it is like to know your life is forever changed. This is a supportive, compassionate space where we can explore how your grief has affected you without judgment, criticism, or expectations.

Things we can work on together:

  • Process your loss or life event in a supportive, non-judgmental space 

  • Learn tools to help you navigate your grief and life changes

  • Find meaning and purpose in life

  • Feel more connected to yourself and your relationships

  • Learn how to respond when your grief or life experience is minimized or misunderstood

  • Be better prepared to deal with holidays, rituals, and other significant dates

You don’t have to go through this alone. 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • During our first session, I will ask specific questions to learn more about the loss you are experiencing or the circumstances of the life event you are facing. Many times clients have not had the space, opportunity, or encouragement to talk about their loss or significant life transition. We often want to talk about our experiences even if it feels hard in the moment.

    I will meet you right where you are and you have control over how much you feel comfortable sharing during your first session.

  • We may create a timeline of events leading up to, during, and after your loss, including other significant losses or dates that are important to you. This will help you develop more awareness and coping skills to navigate significant dates.

    Our work may also involve:

    • tending to any unresolved feelings, regrets, or hurts

    • communication and relational skills to help you engage or re-engage with your relationships

    • finding purpose and meaning again

    Part of therapy may include books, websites, articles, and support groups that can be helpful tools as you navigate your grief.

  • There is no one way to grieve or a specific timeline to follow. If we don’t give ourselves permission to spend the time we need to process our grief, the likelihood increases that our grief will show up in our lives and relationships in unhelpful ways. You will learn how to emotionally integrate your loss over time and develop more self-compassion and patience with yourself and your process.