Therapy for Grief & Loss
Therapy for Grief in NYC
“Grief is not a disorder, a disease, or a sign of weakness. It is an emotional, physical, and spiritual necessity, the price we pay for love, and the only cure for grief is grieving.” ― Earl Grollman
Q: What is Grief Counseling?
Grief counseling is a type of individual therapy where the focus is on processing a loss or coping after a loss. Often, grief is due to the death of someone close, however it can also be about other types of loss, such as a pet, a home, or even a loss of possibility or identity. In grief therapy, the goal is not to overcome the loss, but to be supported along the way so that you can move forward when you are ready, albeit forever changed, and to be present in your life going forward. Usually there is no choice in a loss, but we have choices in what we make of the loss and the meaning that we give it. Therapy for grief provides a space to feel all the feelings associated with the loss, which can include numbness, sadness, anger, resentment, and more.
Q: How does grief therapy help?
Many people seek therapy for grief & loss because they are experiencing very intense sadness that gets in the way of other important life events, such as relationships, taking care of yourself, or being able to focus on other important responsibilities. If you feel hopeless, empty, overwhelmed, lonely, and these feelings last a long time, you may benefit from therapy.
Grief can feel isolating – like nobody else understands you or what you are going through. There is not a lot of cultural space or understanding of loss, which can cause a lot of people to be uncomfortable talking about or supporting you in your grief. It can be helpful to have a therapist you trust to talk about these feelings and feel supported and less alone.
We can experience grief and loss for multiple reasons. Whatever the reason, working with a kind and compassionate therapist who understands and empathizes can help to make things a little less difficult.
Q: What are some types of grief that therapy can help?
· Loss of a Loved One
· Existential Grief
· Medical Grief
· Ambiguous Loss
· Miscarriage & Pregnancy Loss
· Infant Loss
· Loss of Identity
· Anticipatory Grief
· Complicated Grief
· Collective Grief
Q: What does grief therapy look like?
Although there are commonalities in grief, it can look different for everyone. You will likely experience grief differently than some friends, family, and even partners do. Therefore, although some aspects of therapy are similar for everyone, your grief therapist will be attuned to how you are feeling and what you are needing specifically.
You may wish to share your story of loss, or you may prefer to talk about other things such as your childhood or other aspects of your life, past or present. We may discuss the aspects of your life that shape the way you experience loss, including past losses, and past ways that important people in your life modeled grieving for you. Therapy can address both the present issues and concerns you are experiencing as well as any past experiences that losses often bring up.
There are many therapeutic tools which can help with grief processing, including using attachment theory, relational work, CBT techniques, DBT skills, ACT and values work, EMDR, radical acceptance, and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). All of these techniques can be useful and help you to process the experience of loss and grief more fully.
You don’t have to be alone with your grief, reach out to schedule a free consultation here.
Q: What treatment options are available for perinatal mental health? What treatment is available for perinatal anxiety and depression?
Our Services
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Therapy with one of our perinatal expert psychologists consists of weekly or twice-weekly holistic, integrative therapy. We may also recommend and collaborate with other services such as pelvic floor PT, acupuncture, psychiatry as needed.
We integrate dynamic and behavioral therapies including relational, CBT, DBT, IFS, ACT, EMDR and other techniques that best fit your needs.
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Couples therapy is a great way to assess and treat challenges and symptoms that affect your relationship.
When it comes to perinatal mental health, having both partners available to talk, learn, and come up with solutions can offer breakthroughs and support from another angle.
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Dr. Cox consults on perinatal psychotherapy cases on a limited basis.
Contact us for more information.
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We offer group therapy for pregnancy and postpartum issues.
Centered Pregnancy Group: Support for Pregnancy Anxiety & Stress
Centered Postpartum Group: Support for Postpartum Anxiety and Depression
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We now offer The Checkup, a bespoke consultation service for those looking for one on one support for pregnancy and postpartum issues from perinatal mental health specialists in a more time-limited manner.
The Checkup consists of an assessment period, where we will work on creating a roadmap for identifying your goals, offering additional services, and connecting you with our substantial postpartum resources.