Grief Therapy in Los Angeles

Evidence-based support for processing loss, navigating grief, and finding your way forward after someone or something important is gone.

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Grief & Loss

There's No Right Way to Do This

Grief doesn't follow a script. Some days you're functional. Other days, getting out of bed takes everything you have. And people around you may have already moved on while you're still in it.

You might be here because:

  • You've lost someone important and the pain isn't easing the way people said it would

  • You're overwhelmed by waves of emotion that hit without warning

  • You feel numb, disconnected, or like you're going through the motions

  • You're grieving something other than a death: a relationship, a pregnancy, a career, a past version of yourself

  • You're struggling with guilt, anger, or regret alongside the sadness

  • You don't know who you are without the person or thing you lost

How Grief shows up

Common Signs & Symptoms

Grief affects every part of you. There's no standard timeline, and no "right" way for it to look.

Mental and Emotional Symptoms:

  • Difficulty concentrating or making decisions

  • Waves of sadness, yearning, or longing

  • Unwarranted anger at yourself and others

  • Guilt or regret about things said or unsaid

  • Numbness or emotional flatness

Physical Symptoms:

  • Exhaustion that rest doesn't fix

  • Appetite changes, nausea, or stomach issues

  • Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much

  • Physical aches, chest tightness, or heaviness

The Different Types of Grief

Understanding Grief

Not all grief looks the same, and not all losses are the same.

Anticipatory grief starts before the loss happens: watching someone decline, knowing a relationship is ending, preparing for a change you can't stop.

Disenfranchised grief is grief that doesn't get acknowledged: family estrangement, a miscarriage, losing a friendship or job that meant everything to you. The loss is real even if others don't acknowledge it.

Complicated grief is when the natural grieving process gets stuck. Months pass, but the intensity doesn't shift. Daily functioning stays impaired. The pain feels as raw as it did in the beginning.

Grief vs. Depression

There's significant overlap. Both involve sadness, withdrawal, sleep disruption, and difficulty functioning. The key difference: grief tends to come in waves connected to the loss, while depression is more constant and pervasive. They can also co-occur; grief that goes unprocessed can develop into depression over time.

Treatment

How Therapy Helps with Grief

COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY

We use CBT to help you identify the thought patterns that may be complicating your grief, including beliefs like "I should be over this by now," "I'm grieving wrong," or "If I let go of the pain, I'm letting go of them." These thoughts are common and understandable, but they keep you stuck.

Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy

We also use AEDP, an attachment-based approach grounded in neuroscience. AEDP helps you safely experience and process the emotions underneath grief in the context of a therapeutic relationship built on safety and trust. 

Our Approach

What Makes Our Approach Different

Grief isn't something we fix. It's something we help you carry. CBT helps you work through the thoughts that keep you stuck. AEDP helps you process the emotions you've been carrying.

We won't tell you to "move on" or push you through stages. We help you find a way to hold the loss and still live your life.

the process

What to Expect

Getting Started

We start with a free 15-minute consultation to see if we're a good fit. You'll share what you're going through and ask questions about our approach.

The work

Sessions are 50 minutes, usually weekly. The pace depends entirely on where you are. Some sessions are about processing emotion. Others are about building skills to function day-to-day. We follow your lead. We offer in-person sessions in West Los Angeles and telehealth throughout California.

FAQ

Common Questions About Grief Therapy

  • There's no normal. Grief shows up differently for everyone, and there's no timeline for when it should ease. If your grief is interfering with your ability to function, including your work, relationships, or daily life. If you feel stuck, therapy can help.

  • There's no expiration date on grief. Many people come to therapy long after a loss, often because they tried to push through on their own and hit a wall. Whenever you're ready is the right time.

  • They overlap significantly. Grief tends to come in waves tied to the loss; depression is more pervasive. They can co-occur, and grief that goes unprocessed sometimes develops into depression. We'll sort out what's happening for you.

  • Yes. Grief is a response to any significant loss: a relationship, a pregnancy, a career, a move, an identity. If you're grieving, you're grieving. The type of loss doesn't make it less real.

  • It depends on what you're carrying and how long you've been carrying it. Some people find meaningful relief in a few months. Others benefit from longer-term support. We'll check in regularly about what's working.

Let’s Connect.

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