Therapy for Grief, Loss & Pet Loss
Loss sucks. Let’s just say it.
Whether it’s the passing of someone you love, a beloved pet, a breakup, a big move, or some other life shake-up – you’re probably feeling like the ground got pulled out from under you. And guess what? That’s totally normal. You might be wondering, “Am I ever going to feel like myself again?” Or maybe you’re tired of pretending you’re fine when you’re actually feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or just plain lost.
Here’s the good news: You don’t have to figure this out alone!
Types of Grief Therapy
Grief doesn’t always look the way we expect.
It doesn’t just show up after someone passes – it can creep in after a breakup, a big life change, or even when your four-legged best friend is no longer around. Sometimes it hits like a tidal wave, other times it’s a slow, heavy fog you can’t shake.
Whatever the reason, grief can be heavy, confusing, and just plain exhausting. One minute you’re fine, the next you’re crying in the grocery store. Been there!
If you’re feeling stuck or like you’re not yourself lately, grief therapy can help you make sense of it all – and start to feel like you again. When you’re ready, we’re here to walk through it with you.
What can happen when you’re grieving?
Grief doesn’t follow a straight line – or any kind of schedule!
Some days you’re functioning like a semi-normal human. Other days, you’re crying over a coffee mug that reminds you of them (also normal). Grief shows up differently for everyone, but when it starts to take over your day-to-day life, that’s a sign you might need a little extra support.
Here are just a few ways grief might be crashing your vibe:
- Feeling stuck or hopeless
- Waves of sadness or depression
- Random bursts of anger (sometimes at inanimate objects)
- Stress that won’t quit
- Guilt or “what ifs” on repeat
- Struggling to accept what happened
- Feeling emotionally numb
- Ditching your routines or avoiding people altogether
If any of that sounds familiar, you’re not broken – you’re just human. And talking it through can help more than you’d think.
What causes grief?
Sure, losing someone you love is a big one – but grief can sneak in during all kinds of life changes (even the ones people tell you to be “happy” about). Basically, if something big shifts and you’re feeling off, there’s a good chance grief is in the mix.
Here are just a few things that can stir up grief feelings:
- Losing a loved one or pet
- Divorce or breakup (even the “it’s for the best” kind)
- Moving to a new place
- Money stress or major financial loss
- Empty nesting
- Retirement or a big career change
- Changes in your sex life
- Family conflict or drama
- Even gaining a new family member (hello, complicated feelings)
If life’s thrown you a curveball and you’re feeling all kinds of things, you’re not alone – and yes, this counts as grief too.
Overcoming Grief
Grief therapy isn’t about “getting over it” – it’s about learning how to carry it without it carrying you.
In our work together, you’ll have a safe, no-pressure space to talk about your loss – whether you want to laugh, cry, vent, sit in silence, or all of the above (sometimes in one session, let’s be honest).
We know the loss doesn’t just disappear – but it also doesn’t have to take over your entire world. We’ll use proven tools (no woo-woo required) to help you move through grief in a way that feels right for you. That might mean learning how to calm the emotional chaos, figuring out where you are in the grief process, or slowly getting back to the things you’ve been avoiding – like walking the dog, going to work, or seeing people again.
And at the core of it all? Making space to honor what you’ve lost, while also making space for life to feel good again.
Different Stages of Grief
Grief isn’t a straight line – it’s more like a messy loop-de-loop.
The 7 stages of grief can help make sense of what you’re feeling, but they’re not a to-do list. You might bounce around, skip a stage, or circle back – and that’s totally normal.
Take a peek – do any of these feel familiar?
Sometimes, shocking news takes a minute to really hit us.
Even if you saw it coming, your brain might still need some time to catch up to what’s actually happening. That lag? Just part of the process.
Grief can hit like a fog, and you’re just not ready to believe what’s happening.
That’s denial – a way your brain puts up a little “not today” sign while you catch your breath. It’s like reality feels a bit blurry, and that’s totally okay.
Anger in grief isn’t always a fiery outburst – sometimes it’s the quiet kind that bubbles under the surface.
Some people wear their anger on their sleeve, but for others, it’s tucked away inside, feeling confusing and out of place. Either way, it’s a totally normal part of the process – even if it doesn’t always make sense.
Bargaining is that “what if” phase where your brain tries to rewrite the story.
“If I had just done this…” or “Maybe if I promise to be better, things will go back to how they were.” Sound familiar? It’s your mind trying to make sense of something senseless – even if it means blaming yourself (when it’s not your fault at all).
Depression in grief isn’t just about feeling “sad.”
It can show up as emptiness, isolation, hopelessness – or just that heavy, foggy feeling that won’t budge. Sometimes it comes in waves, other times it settles in for a while. It’s all part of how your heart tries to make sense of loss.
Acceptance isn’t about being “over it” – it’s about learning to live with it.
This stage tends to come and go, and that’s okay. It’s the part where you start finding your footing again, reconnecting with yourself (and maybe others), and feeling tiny sparks of hope for what’s next. It’s not the end – it’s just a new beginning.
There is no right or wrong way to grieve so processing grief can look different for everyone. Processing ebbs and flows and often involves thinking through, talking through or working through the feelings, thoughts and emotions that come with grief. This is a process that can benefit the help of a trained professional.
Grief & Loss on the Bounce Back Blog
Pet Loss – Normalizing grief
Grief & Loss – A personal Reflection
Feeling our Feelings