GRIEF AND LOSS SUPPORT
Therapy for Grief and Loss
Grief can follow the death of someone you love, but loss takes many forms. You may be mourning a parent, partner, child, friend, pet, relationship, pregnancy, career, home, or version of life you expected to have. Even changes that are chosen or necessary can bring sadness, anger, guilt, loneliness, or uncertainty.
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There is no correct way to grieve and no set timeline for feeling better. Some people want to talk about their loss. Others feel numb, distracted, restless, or unable to find the words. You may function well in some parts of your life and feel completely overwhelmed in others.
At PRN Counseling, we provide grief and loss therapy for children, teens, and adults in North Bethesda and throughout Maryland, Washington, DC, and Virginia. Therapy offers a private place to process what happened, understand your reactions, and find ways to move forward without feeling pressured to “get over” your loss.
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Grief Can Look Different for Everyone
Grief does not always look like crying or sadness. It can also appear as:
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Irritability, anger, or resentment
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Anxiety about losing someone else
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Guilt about what you did or did not say or do
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Difficulty sleeping or changes in appetite
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Trouble concentrating or making decisions
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Withdrawal from friends, family, or usual activities
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Feeling emotionally numb or disconnected
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Physical exhaustion, tension, or restlessness
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A loss of identity, direction, or purpose
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Feeling as though other people expect you to be “back to normal”
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Relief mixed with sadness, especially after a long illness or difficult relationship
Grief often comes in waves. A birthday, holiday, familiar song, medical appointment, or ordinary moment can bring feelings back unexpectedly. This does not mean you are grieving incorrectly or losing progress.
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Therapy for Different Types of Loss
Our therapists work with people experiencing many forms of grief, including:
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The death of a parent, spouse, child, sibling, friend, or other loved one
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Anticipatory grief related to illness, aging, or an expected loss
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Pregnancy loss, miscarriage, stillbirth, or infertility
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Divorce, separation, estrangement, or the end of an important relationship
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Pet illness, pet loss, and end-of-life decisions
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Changes related to caregiving or a loved one’s declining health
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Loss of a job, career, home, community, or financial stability
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Major life transitions that affect your identity or sense of belonging
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Ambiguous loss, when someone is physically present but psychologically or emotionally unavailable
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Grief that remains intense or significantly disrupts daily life over time
You do not need to wait until your grief becomes unmanageable to begin therapy. You may simply need a place where you do not have to protect other people, explain your feelings, or pretend that you are doing better than you are.
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How Grief Counseling Can Help
Grief therapy is not about forgetting the person or experience you lost. It is about learning how to carry the loss while continuing to live your own life.
Depending on your needs, therapy may help you:
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Make sense of complicated or conflicting emotions
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Manage guilt, regret, anger, anxiety, or intrusive thoughts
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Prepare for an expected death or major change
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Communicate your needs to family members and friends
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Navigate differences in how family members grieve
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Reestablish routines when everyday life feels difficult
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Develop ways to cope with anniversaries, holidays, and reminders
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Adjust to changes in your relationships, roles, or identity
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Find meaningful ways to remember and remain connected to the person you lost
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Begin making plans for the future without feeling as though you are leaving someone behind
Our therapists draw from cognitive behavioral, mindfulness-based, attachment-focused, trauma-informed, and psychodynamic approaches. Therapy is tailored to your personality, circumstances, culture, relationships, and beliefs about loss.
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Blog Posts About and for Grief
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Grief Therapy for Children and Teens
Children and teenagers may move in and out of grief more quickly than adults. They might talk about a loss one moment and return to playing, school, or friends the next.
This does not mean the loss is not affecting them.
Grief in children and teens can show up as irritability, anxiety, sleep problems, physical complaints, behavior changes, trouble concentrating, academic difficulties, or worries about the safety of other family members. Younger children may also revisit the loss as they grow and develop a new understanding of what happened.
Therapy gives children and teens an age-appropriate place to express emotions, ask questions, learn coping strategies, and understand that their reactions are valid. We can also work with parents and caregivers on how to speak honestly about loss, maintain reassuring routines, and respond to difficult questions.
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Grief, Families, and Relationships
Family members do not always grieve in the same way. One person may want to talk, while another becomes quiet or focuses on practical responsibilities. These differences can create misunderstandings at a time when everyone is already under stress.
Individual, couples, or family therapy can help family members better understand one another’s responses, communicate their needs, and make room for different ways of grieving. Therapy may be especially useful when a loss has changed family roles, increased conflict, or left people feeling emotionally disconnected.
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​When Should I Consider Grief Counseling?
You do not have to meet a particular threshold to deserve care. Grief counseling may be worth considering if:
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You feel alone with your grief
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You are having difficulty functioning at home, work, or school
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Your relationships are becoming strained
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You feel stuck in guilt, anger, anxiety, or regret
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You are avoiding reminders of the loss or feel consumed by them
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You are using substances or other behaviors to escape your feelings
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You are preparing for an expected loss and do not know how to cope
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You want a private space to talk without worrying about burdening others
Grief Counseling in Maryland, Washington, DC, and Virginia
PRN Counseling offers in-person grief therapy in North Bethesda, Maryland, as well as secure teletherapy for clients located in Maryland, Washington, DC, and Virginia, based on clinician availability and licensure.
We work with children, teens, adults, couples, and families. Whether your loss happened recently or years ago, you are welcome to begin where you are.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Grief Therapy
How long does grief last?
Grief does not follow a predictable schedule. Its intensity often changes over time, but reminders and important dates may continue to bring emotions to the surface. Therapy does not impose a deadline on your grief. Instead, it can help you understand what you are experiencing and find ways to function while honoring the significance of your loss.
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Is grief counseling only for someone who has died?
No. People seek grief therapy after divorce, estrangement, infertility, pregnancy loss, pet loss, illness, caregiving changes, career loss, relocation, and other major transitions. If something important has ended or changed, your grief is valid even if other people do not fully recognize the loss.
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What is anticipatory grief?
Anticipatory grief can occur when you expect a death or significant loss in the future. You may feel sadness, anxiety, anger, guilt, or even relief before the loss occurs. Therapy can provide space to process these emotions, prepare for changes, communicate with loved ones, and care for yourself during a difficult period.
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What is complicated or prolonged grief?
For some people, grief remains extremely intense and continues to significantly interfere with daily functioning. You may feel preoccupied with the loss, unable to imagine a meaningful future, or disconnected from other people and activities. A therapist can help assess what you are experiencing and recommend an appropriate treatment approach.
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Can therapy help with pet loss?
Yes. The death of a pet can be deeply painful, especially when the pet was a primary source of companionship, comfort, or routine. Therapy can also help with anticipatory grief, decisions about euthanasia, guilt, and the fact that other people may underestimate the significance of your loss.
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Can children attend grief counseling?
Yes. We provide developmentally appropriate grief therapy for children and teenagers. Depending on the child’s age and circumstances, treatment may also include parent consultation or family sessions.
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Do you offer virtual grief counseling?
Yes. Teletherapy may be available for clients located in Maryland, Washington, DC, and Virginia, depending on the therapist’s licensure and availability. In-person appointments are available at our North Bethesda office.
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Do I have to talk about every detail of the loss?
No. You can move at a pace that feels manageable. Your therapist will not force you to revisit details before you are ready. Therapy can begin with your current concerns, such as sleep, anxiety, family conflict, guilt, or difficulty getting through the day.
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Begin Grief and Loss Therapy
You do not have to grieve according to someone else’s expectations. If you or a family member is struggling after a loss, contact
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