In Charlotte + Online Across NC & SC
Therapy for Grief & Bereavement
Supporting women navigating the loss of a loved one to grieve their way. No matter how long it lasts, how messy it gets, or how overwhelming it may be—it all belongs here.
Does it feel like everything changed without your permission when your loved one died?
Before your loss, you were moving through life as most women do…
Managing the endless to-do list
Taking care of someone, if not everyone & everything
Attempting work-life balance
Squeezing in a workout or a small moment to yourself here & there
Maybe having a little fun every once in a while?
Then, suddenly, death comes knocking. It instantaneously robs you of a future with your loved one—often taking with it your sense of purpose, confidence, and stability.
In the wake this loss, life is now split into a painful two: before and after.
You’re beginning to notice that in this “after” world (which you refuse to call your “new normal” because none of this is normal)...
Calls, text messages, & check-ins have come to a screeching halt
Discomfort radiates off those around you–unsure of what to say, how to treat you, or, worse, telling you "at least…(any number of hurtful things)”
Tears come at the most inconvenient times: in the store, the car pool line, at the doctor’s office, around strangers, in the bathroom stall at work
Joy, comfort, rest, energy, ease…seem permanently unattainable
Even in the presence of others, you feel isolated & lonely
Despite all of your efforts, nothing you try seems to be working. Each day is getting longer & the grief is growing louder. Fear is finding a home within you as it starts to sink in that this grief thing isn’t budging. As others slip back into life as if nothing happened, you wonder:
“Does anyone understand me anymore?”
“Is this how life is always going to be?”
Imagine being able to express your grief without fear of being judged, invalidated, or misunderstood.
You may have already noticed the way grief makes its presence known in your day-to-day life—demanding space, time, and energy. It evokes every feeling you could imagine, drains your physical body, and tires out your heart.
As the one doing the hard, painful, exhausting work of moving through the world now that someone you love has died, you deserve a space dedicated to you, your grief, and your loved one. The trouble is, oftentimes the people in your world, despite their best efforts, don’t know how to support you in this part of life. Or, if you’re lucky enough to have those people, it just doesn’t seem like enough anymore!
Grief and bereavement therapy can offer you a dedicated space to bring it all.
No judgement, no flinching, no shying away.
Anything and everything belongs here. In the space we create, you don’t have to filter, adjust, or force your grief to be something it’s not. Grief is intense, all-encompassing, and untamed because that’s the rhythm of pain. It doesn’t play by the rules and it will make damn sure you feel it.
Grief Therapy supporting those navigating:
Spousal/Partner loss
Loss of a parent
Child & Infant loss
Adult Child loss
Sibling loss
Loss of a grandparent
Loss of a loved one by suicide
Traumatic grief
Anticipatory grief (common when you have a loved one with chronic illness, dementia, Alzheimer’s, etc.)
Disenfranchised grief (common when cause of death is surrounded by stigma or being unable to be “allowed” to grieve by society, such as death by suicide, substance use/abuse, miscarriage, stillbirth, death by AIDS, abortion, etc.)
It may not seem like it right now, but you don’t always have to remain at the mercy of your grief.
Therapy for grief & bereavement can be a place to grieve your way.
Here’s what to expect in our work together…
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Come As You Are
Whether you want it to or not, grief is a part of your world now. Together, we create a safe, reliable, and welcoming space that allows you the chance to be as you are: grieving. Here, you’re invited to grieve any way that you feel called to.
Feel the rage, sadness, isolation…you name it. You can finally share out loud about the reality of your pain, your dark thoughts and feelings, even the punch-worthy comebacks you wish you could scream! There’s no holding back—you get to be able to grieve your truth in the presence of someone who won’t turn away.
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Collaborative Exploration
It sounds simple, but it’s actually extremely hard for most people to be in the presence of pain and uncertainty—not jumping in to fix it, smooth it over, or offer solutions. Grief, although universal, is deeply personal and unique.
In order to get to know your grief, it requires patience, space, and flexibility. You may not be able to offer these things right now but that’s what I’m here for. I will show up with a sense of steadiness, go at your pace, and re-route if needed, so you can show up and simply grieve. -
Clarity, Presence, & Honoring
With our collective effort, care, and space, my hope is that you can come to know your grief for what it is—deep, intricate, and survivable. Similar to physical pain, the pain of grief is intended to grab your attention. Being willing to pay attention to the pain, notice it, and tend to it can influence your journey.
Allow me to walk alongside you so you don’t have to keep navigating this part of life alone. There’s no cure for grief but it can be something you come to know, expect, & learn to move through while honoring your loved one, as you have been trying to do all along.
With care, willingness, & proper support…
Therapy for grief & bereavement can empower you to:
Know how to respond when the waterworks begin, anger surfaces at work, or someone says something offensive (…yet again!)
Experience grief with less fear, restraint, & overwhelm
Realize you have choices (yes! even here), gain confidence in your choices, and learn how to implement them
Clarify who your “grief people” are (and who they are not!)
Function again…
Navigate your feelings, honor your experience & your loved one, & (hopefully) offer yourself a little grace along the way
Give your grief the attention it's begging for so it can stop feeling like an enemy & become what it truly is…
a reflection of your love, after loss.
Frequently Asked Questions about Grief & Bereavement Therapy:
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Yes! That’s more than okay. If there’s any part of you that wants to talk to someone, I invite you to follow your intuition. We will figure it out together. There’s no pressure to set goals, have it all figured out, or know what you need beyond talking to someone.
If you’ve had therapy experience before, this is what makes this process pretty different! Bring any questions you may have to a consultation call. I’d love to chat with you more. -
You’re right, losing a loved one is not something that can be fixed. All that comes with loss, grief, also isn’t something to be fixed. Our time together isn’t intended to fix this for you.The intention is to help you learn how to now live with what cannot be changed. That’s what makes this process so unique.
HOW you will live with your grief, WHY you will try to keep living, WHAT it means for you to keep living after loss, WHEN you begin to start living again, and WHERE this loss takes you, your grief, and your life…is entirely up to you.
I’ve had the privilege of witnessing so many people discover these answers for themselves and learn how to live with the unthinkable. When I first met them, they had absolutely no idea if they would be able to survive their grief or how. And, it doesn’t feel good, but it is okay to have your own doubts! No need to have any answers right now. As hard as it can be, invite yourself back to today, where perhaps your primary hope is to find some support. I’d be honored to meet you here.
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This does not have to determine when you begin therapy. Immediately after a loss, there is SO much to do that, sometimes, having one more thing on your plate is simply too overwhelming. Ultimately, I trust your judgement and if any part of you feels you might need this space right away, let’s connect.
For others, your loss may have taken place a few months ago, a year ago, several years prior…there’s no cut off here. In my experience, you get to your grief when you can and that timeframe varies for everyone.
If you have any questions about your unique circumstances, let me know and I’d be glad to connect.
More questions? Check out my FAQ page.
discover how to grieve your way
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discover how to grieve your way —