Grief Counseling Services for Navigating Loss

I offer virtual grief counseling services for individuals based in Washington and Idaho, holding space for loss, trauma, and identity changes with a neuroscience-informed approach.

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Understanding Grief as a Natural Process Through a Neuroscience-Informed Lens

Grief and loss therapy offers a compassionate space to process the emotional, cognitive, and physiological effects of significant life changes. While grief is commonly associated with the death of a loved one, it also includes pregnancy loss, infant loss, the end of a relationship, identity shifts, estrangement from family, or life transitions like becoming a parent or losing a sense of direction. These moments can create a profound rupture in your sense of safety and meaning, leaving behind confusion, emotional numbness, or a deep pain that is difficult to name. 

Therapy provides a safe and supportive container to gently explore these responses, validate your experience, and uncover meaning amidst the pain. With a blend of neuroscience-informed understanding and trauma-sensitive care, grief and loss therapy helps calm the nervous system, soothe emotional overwhelm, and create room for processing, integration, and eventual reconnection with your sense of self.

Greif counseling services in idaho and Washington States

Navigating Grief with Compassionate Support

Licensed Grief Counseling in Idaho and Washington

As a licensed provider in Idaho and Washington, I understand how grief is influenced by a variety of personal and cultural factors. The pain of loss can feel isolating and overwhelming, and can affect every part of life, from relationships to self-worth. Grief is one of the most common reasons people seek therapy, not only because of the sorrow it brings, but because of its deep impact on daily living.

Recent data from the CDC reveals that approximately 15% of American adults struggle with prolonged or complicated grief, highlighting the importance of thoughtful, professional support. Left unaddressed, complicated grief can interfere with daily functioning, strain relationships, and contribute to long-term emotional and physical health challenges. Professional grief therapy offers a structured space to process complex emotions, build coping strategies, and navigate loss without rushing or minimizing its depth.

Man in forrest - healed after grief counseling

 My Grief Counseling Services

I combine evidence-based techniques with personalized support to address each person’s unique experience of loss. My grief counseling services respect your pace and your unique journey. Together, we will focus on the areas that matter most to you, addressing each concern in a way that fits your needs, including:

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    Person-Centered Therapy

    I offer a non-judgmental, empathetic space where your grief can be witnessed with care, honoring your pace, your process, and the truth of your experience.

  • somatic therapy icon

    Somatic Therapy

    Grief lives in the body as much as the mind. Together, we gently tune into physical sensations to support emotional release, grounding, and nervous system regulation.

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    Internal Family Systems (IFS)

    Collaboratively, we explore the inner parts of you that show up in grief, like the one that is overwhelmed, the one trying to stay strong, or the one holding sorrow, so you can navigate loss with more understanding and compassion.

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Your Journey Through Grief Counseling, Step by Step

Grief unfolds in its own time. I offer steady, thoughtful support at each stage of your process. Here is what working together may look like: 

 

  • A free 15-minute phone call to discuss your needs and see if we are a good fit.

  • Your first session is focused on understanding your history, symptoms, and what brings you to therapy.

  • We develop a tailored plan integrating neuroscience-informed and evidence-based methods.

  • Regular sessions focus on coping strategies, emotional exploration, and nervous system regulation.

  • We check in regularly, adapt as needed, and support your long-term resilience and lasting change.

How Life Can Feel After Working Through Grief

Grief does not disappear, but your relationship with it can change. Through consistent support and therapeutic care, many clients describe feeling more emotionally connected, internally settled, and supported in who they are.

Books to Deepen Your Grief Journey

  • The Wild Edge of Sorrow – Francis Weller

    Explores grief as a sacred, transformative process, and how rituals can help with healing and renewal.

  • On Grief and Grieving – Elisabeth Kübler-Ross & David Kessler

    The classic work on the five stages of grief and how to cope with loss.

  • When Breath Becomes Air – Paul Kalanithi

    A poignant memoir by a neurosurgeon diagnosed with terminal cancer, exploring life, death, and what gives our lives meaning.

  • It's OK That You're Not OK – Megan Devine

    A compassionate guide for dealing with grief, focusing on how to care for oneself during the process of loss.

FAQs

  • According to Briana Johnsson from Huston Brain Center’s article The Neuroscience of Grief: How Loss Impacts Brain Chemistry and Electrical Activity, grief significantly impacts the brain's structure and function. During acute grief, there is heightened activity in the left prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for emotional regulation. This area can become overburdened, leading to challenges in processing emotions. Additionally, long-term grief can weaken connections between emotional and cognitive centers of the brain, potentially leading to symptoms of complicated grief or depression.

    Understanding these neurological changes allows me to tailor therapeutic interventions that support the brain's recovery. By integrating neuroscience-informed techniques, I help clients navigate grief more effectively, promoting emotional resilience and well-being.​

  • Grief is not just an emotional experience, it also manifests physically in the body. Somatic therapy offers a body-centered approach to grief counseling, helping you become more aware of physical sensations and emotions. Techniques like mindful breathing, body scans, and gentle movement can support emotional awareness and self-regulation, allowing you to process grief holistically.

  • It is never too late to seek support. Whether your loss is recent or occurred years ago, grief counseling is available to help you navigate your emotions and find a path forward.

  • Grief is deeply personal, and its intensity can vary. Many find the loss of a child or the sudden, traumatic death of a loved one particularly challenging. These experiences often involve complex emotions and may require specialized support. My grief counseling services provide a safe, compassionate space to navigate these profound losses. 

  • Grief is a deeply personal experience. Do: Allow yourself to feel your emotions without judgment, seek support from trusted individuals or professionals, and take time for self-care. Don't: Suppress your feelings, isolate yourself, or rush the grieving process. Remember, it is okay to seek help whenever you need it.