Frequently Asked Questions

Several things set us apart: Grief-specific expertise: Our entire practice focuses exclusively on grief and loss. We're not general therapists who sometimes see grieving clients—grief is what we do. Specialized training: Our therapists are trained in evidence-based grief-specific modalities including Complicated Grief Treatment, Prolonged Grief Therapy, EMDR, IFS, and trauma-informed approaches. Multi-state access: We serve seven states, making specialized grief therapy accessible whether you live in a major city or rural area. Diverse approaches: We offer individual therapy, group support, outdoor therapy, organizational grief support, and clinical supervision. Philosophy: We recognize grief isn't a disorder—it's part of being human. We don't try to fix you or rush your process. We provide pragmatic tools while honoring your unique grief journey.

Grief therapy is different than other therapy approaches. Grief is not a mental health disorder. Grief is part of being human; we will at some point all experience it. Grief can emerge anywhere in our lives, whether it is due to a death of a family member or friend, the end of a relationship, anxiety or depression that only seems to grow, previous life events we wish had never happened, or the loss of the life we lived before the pandemic. ​ Our therapy expertise is in providing you with pragmatic tools to navigate through grief. We want you to be able to process grief so that it does not define your life. ​ Grieving is exhausting on all levels—physically, mentally, emotionally, and existentially. It can be hard enough to buy groceries, let alone reach out for support. We want to make this first step as easy as possible. Our approach to therapy is grounded in relational therapy perspectives as well as in IFS (Internal Family Systems), Complicated Grief Treatment, Prolonged Grief Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy methods. We have some clinicians who are trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and trauma-informed approaches. Each clinician will discuss their specific training modalities during a consultation call. While we share a foundation in grief-specific treatment, each therapist brings their unique strengths and specialized training to their work.

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an integrative psychotherapy approach that has helped millions of people of all ages relieve many types of psychological stress and trauma. EMDR uses bilateral stimulation (typically eye movements, but also tapping or sounds) to help your brain process traumatic memories and grief in a way that reduces their emotional intensity. It's particularly helpful for traumatic grief—when someone died suddenly, violently, or in a way that left you feeling traumatized. Several of our therapists are trained in EMDR and will determine in collaboration with you if and when it might be helpful. You can learn more about EMDR here.

IFS (Internal Family Systems) is an integrative psychotherapy approach based in systems theory and multiplicity of the mind. IFS views the mind as naturally made up of different "parts"—each with their own perspectives, feelings, and roles. In grief, you might notice different parts: a part that wants to stay busy and avoid the pain, a part that's angry at the person who died, a part that feels guilty for living, a part that wants to talk about your loss, and a part that wants to protect you from overwhelming feelings. IFS helps you understand and work with these parts compassionately, rather than fighting against them. Several of our therapists use IFS in their grief work. You can learn more about IFS here.

Complicated Grief Treatment is an evidence-based therapy specifically designed for people experiencing complicated or prolonged grief. Developed by Dr. Katherine Shear at Columbia University, CGT combines elements of cognitive-behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy, and motivational interviewing. CGT helps you: Accept the reality of the loss Manage painful emotions Imagine a future with possibilities Strengthen relationships with living people Tell the story of the death Create a continuing bond with the deceased while also moving forward Several of our therapists are trained in CGT and use it when working with clients whose grief has become persistent and debilitating.

While all our therapists share a foundation in grief-specific treatment and a philosophy that honors grief as a natural human experience, each brings their unique training, specializations, and style to their work. Some specialize in trauma and EMDR, others in IFS or CGT. Some offer outdoor therapy. Some work extensively with specific types of loss (perinatal loss, suicide loss, etc.). During your consultation call or first session, your therapist will discuss their approach and how it might fit your needs.

Grief is our specialty—it's what we focus on exclusively. While our therapists are licensed to treat a range of mental health concerns, they chose to dedicate their practice to grief and loss because of the specialized knowledge and approach it requires. This matters because grief therapy is fundamentally different from treating depression or anxiety alone. We understand the unique trajectory of grief, the ways it shows up in your body and relationships, and the difference between grief that's evolving naturally and grief that's become complicated.

All our therapists are fully licensed clinical mental health professionals in the states where they practice. This includes licenses such as: LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) LMFT (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist) LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) LICSW (Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker) In addition to their clinical licenses, many have specialized training in grief-specific modalities like Complicated Grief Treatment, Prolonged Grief Therapy, EMDR, IFS, and trauma-informed care.

No. Our therapists are licensed psychotherapists, not psychiatrists or medical doctors, so we cannot prescribe medication. However, we can work collaboratively with your physician or psychiatrist if you're interested in exploring medication as part of your grief treatment. Many people find that therapy alone is sufficient for processing grief, while others benefit from a combination of therapy and medication, particularly if they're experiencing severe depression or anxiety alongside their grief.