Grief & Loss Resources

You Don't Have to Go Through Grief Alone

Grief is a deeply personal experience. There is no single “right” way to grieve, and there is no timeline that tells you when you should be finished grieving.

The loss of a loved one can change nearly every part of your life — from your daily routine and relationships to your sense of identity and your understanding of the future.

You may feel sadness, anger, guilt, loneliness, confusion, relief, numbness, or even moments when you feel completely fine. These experiences can all occur as part of grief.

Understanding Grief

Grief isn't limited to the death of someone you love. People can experience significant grief following:

The death of a spouse, partner, parent, child, sibling, friend, or pet
Divorce or the end of a significant relationship
Loss of health or physical abilities
Retirement or loss of a career
Moving away from family or a familiar community
Loss of independence
Changes in family relationships
A major change in identity or role
The loss of a hoped-for future

Grief can affect both your emotional and physical well-being. You may notice changes in sleep, appetite, concentration, energy, motivation, or your ability to enjoy things you once enjoyed.

A single lit candle beside dried lavender

Grief often comes in waves — and that is a natural part of healing.

Still water at dawn, reflecting a quiet sky

There Is No “Right” Way to Grieve

Some people cry frequently. Others don't cry at all.

Some people want to talk about their loved one constantly. Others need space.

You may experience intense grief one day and feel relatively okay the next. Grief often comes in waves rather than following a predictable path. Anniversaries, birthdays, holidays, music, photographs, places, and ordinary moments can unexpectedly bring difficult emotions back to the surface.

This doesn't necessarily mean you are “starting over.” It may simply mean that something reminded you of the person or life you lost.

Gentle Ways to Care for Yourself While Grieving

Give Yourself Permission to Feel

Try not to judge yourself for having difficult emotions. Grief is not something you need to “fix.”

Maintain Basic Routines

When everything feels unfamiliar, small routines can provide structure. Try to maintain regular meals, sleep, movement, and contact with supportive people.

Stay Connected

Grief can make people want to withdraw. Even when you don't feel like talking, maintaining some connection with people you trust can help reduce isolation.

Remember Your Loved One

There is no requirement to “move on” by forgetting someone. Creating meaningful rituals, looking through photographs, writing letters, visiting a meaningful place, or sharing memories can be part of adapting to loss.

Be Patient With Yourself

Grief can affect concentration, motivation, and energy. Give yourself permission to accomplish less while you're healing.

When Grief May Benefit From Additional Support

Consider reaching out to a mental-health professional if grief is significantly interfering with your ability to function, or if you are experiencing persistent feelings of hopelessness, severe isolation, overwhelming guilt, or difficulty managing daily life.

Therapy can provide a place to process your loss, understand your emotions, and explore how to move forward while continuing to honor what — and who — you have lost.

Helpful Grief Resources

NAMI — Mental-health information, education, and support resources. www.nami.org
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — If you are experiencing a mental-health crisis or thoughts of suicide, call or text 988 in the United States.
GriefShare — Information about grief support groups and programs. www.griefshare.org
The Compassionate Friends — Support for families following the death of a child. www.compassionatefriends.org

Therapy for Grief

You don't have to navigate grief by yourself. I provide a compassionate, nonjudgmental space where you can talk about your loss, process complicated emotions, and work toward finding a way to move forward that respects your individual experience.

Schedule a Consultation

The information on this page is educational and is not a substitute for individualized mental-health care.