Common Concerns · Grief & Loss
Therapy for grief and loss, so you don't have to carry it alone.
Grief is love with nowhere to go. Whether you've lost a parent, a partner, a child, a friend or a beloved pet, or you're grieving something less visible, like a relationship, a pregnancy or the life you expected, there's no right way to grieve and no deadline.
Our clinicians offer a gentle, steady space to remember, to feel what you need to feel and to find a way forward, including for losses far from home, in English, Mandarin, Cantonese and more.
Signs it might be time to talk to someone
Grief touches everything. You might notice some of these:
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In your heart
- Waves of sadness that come out of nowhere
- Guilt, regret or 'what ifs'
- Anger, at others or at yourself
- Feeling numb, or that it isn't real
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In your body
- Exhaustion that rest doesn't touch
- Trouble sleeping
- Changes in appetite
- A heaviness in your chest or throat
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In your day
- Avoiding reminders, or holding on to them tightly
- Dreading anniversaries and holidays
- Losing interest in plans and people
- Feeling that everyone else has moved on
Grief isn't something to fix. But if months have passed and the pain feels as sharp as on the first day, or it's hard to get through daily life, support can help you carry it differently.
Losses we help with
Loss of a parent or partner
The people at the center of your life, and the hole they leave.
Loss of a child or pregnancy
Miscarriage, stillbirth, infant loss and termination for medical reasons.
Sudden or traumatic loss
Deaths by accident, suicide, violence or illness that came without warning.
Grieving from far away
Losing someone across an ocean, sometimes without being able to say goodbye.
Loss of a pet
A real loss that others don't always understand.
Losses without a death
Divorce, a diagnosis, a career, or the home and life you left behind.
How we help
Your clinician will go at your pace, drawing on approaches that help grief move rather than stay stuck.
Grief-focused therapy
A steady space to tell your story and make sense of your loss.
Meaning-centered and narrative approaches
Honor the person you lost and find ways to carry your bond forward.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
Ease the guilt, rumination and avoidance that can keep grief stuck.
Trauma-focused care
For sudden or traumatic losses, approaches such as EMDR can help memories feel less overwhelming.
Support for children and families
Help children grieve in their own way, and help families support one another.
In the language you think in
Sessions in English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean or Spanish, depending on the clinician.
Clinicians who focus on grief and loss
Each of these clinicians lists grief and loss among their areas of focus. Look for someone whose languages and approach feel right to you.
See all clinicians who focus on grief and lossQuestions about grief counseling
Something else on your mind? Our FAQ covers much more, and our intake team is always happy to talk it through.
Is what I'm feeling normal?
Almost certainly. Grief can bring sadness, anger, guilt, relief, numbness and even laughter, sometimes all in one day. There's no single right way to feel.
How long does grief last?
Grief doesn't follow a schedule. For many people the sharpest pain softens over time, while the love and the missing remain. Therapy can help at any point, whether the loss was last week or years ago.
When is grief more than grief?
If many months have passed and the pain hasn't eased, or you can't manage daily life, it may be prolonged grief or depression. Both are treatable, and a clinician can help you tell the difference.
Can my child see someone after a loss?
Yes. Children grieve differently from adults, often in bursts or through play. Our clinicians work with children, teens and families after a loss.
Can I have sessions in Mandarin or Cantonese?
Yes. Many of our clinicians speak Mandarin, and some speak Cantonese, Korean or Spanish. On Our Team you can filter clinicians by language.
Will my insurance cover grief counseling?
Often, yes. We work with Lyra Health, Spring Health and Modern Health employee benefits, and with Kaiser when you have an external referral. Some of our clinicians also take plans such as Aetna and Blue Cross through Headway. With any other plan, we send you a superbill each month to claim out-of-network benefits, which typically repay 50 to 80 percent, and FSA and HSA cards are accepted.
Whenever you're ready, we're here.
- Reach outSend us a short message, or call or text (650) 434-2563. We reply within one business day.
- A free 15-minute callOur care team listens, answers your questions about cost and insurance, and suggests clinicians who fit.
- Your first sessionMany people meet their clinician within one to two weeks. The first session is mostly about getting to know each other, at your pace.
If you're in crisis or thinking about harming yourself, please call or text 988 any time, day or night. In an emergency, call 911.
