Grief Counseling And Therapy Services

We all experience grief at some point in our lives, but it is unique for everyone.  It doesn’t follow a timeline, a checklist, or a clear path forward. It can come in waves, linger quietly in the background, or arrive suddenly and intensely when you least expect it.

At Handel Behavioral Health, we provide grief counseling in Massachusetts that honors your unique experience of loss. Whether your grief is recent or something you’ve carried for years, therapy offers a space where you don’t have to navigate it alone.

What is Considered Grief?

Grief is not exclusive to those who have experienced the death of a loved one.

Any type of loss can elicit feelings of grief, and the severity of one’s symptoms does not always correlate to the gravity of the circumstance. This can lead to feelings of guilt or shame when one feels they are grieving too much or too little for the loss they experienced.

Other types of loss can include, but are not limited to:

• Break ups with romantic partners or friends
• A pet passing or running away
• Deterioration of health or mobility from a medical event
• Being fired or laid off from a job or a missed opportunity 
• “Empty nest syndrome” from children moving away from home
• Misplacing a beloved keepsake or heirloom

It may feel silly to say you’re “grieving” over losing your pet fish, but even minute bouts of grief can have long term effects on one’s mental health and ability to cope with more devastating losses.

There is No "Right" Way To Grieve

Grief is not a problem to solve but rather a process of adapting to life after loss.

People often reference the five stages of grief, a model developed by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, author of the book, “On Death and Dying,”: Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, and Acceptance.

But this is not the rule or path one should base their grieving process on; Everyone grieves differently and on their own timeline.

You may experience various feelings through the grieving process, such as:

• Deep sadness, numbness, or emotional overwhelm
• Difficulty concentrating or sleeping
• Changes in appetite or energy
• Guilt, anger, or even relief
• A sense of disconnection from others or yourself

Research continues to affirm that grief affects not just emotions, but also physical health, relationships, and daily functioning. And while many people gradually adjust over time, that process looks different for everyone.

There is no timeline you are supposed to follow; There is only your experience.

When Grief Feels Overwhelming

For some, grief softens with time. For others, it remains intense, persistent, and all-consuming.

You might feel:

• “Stuck” in your grief
• Unable to accept the loss
• Preoccupied with thoughts of the person who died
• Like life has lost meaning or direction

These experiences are more common than people realize. In fact, research suggests that around 1 in 10 people may experience prolonged or complicated grief after a significant loss .

If grief is interfering with your ability to live your life, therapy can help you begin to process what you’re carrying.

What Is Complex Grief?

Sometimes called complicated grief or prolonged grief disorder, complex grief occurs when the pain of loss remains intense and doesn’t ease over time.

Complex grief is when loss becomes tangled with:

• Trauma
• Unresolved relationships
• Complicated family dynamics
• Abuse, neglect, or enmeshment
• Guilt, anger, or unfinished emotional business

This is the kind of grief explored in our post on I’m Glad My Mom Died—where loss is not just about missing someone, but also about processing who they were and the effects of that relationship.

Complex grief can feel confusing because it may include:

• Grief and relief existing at the same time
• Love mixed with anger or resentment
• Difficulty identifying what you actually feel
• A sense of identity loss or emotional disorientation

There is no one right way to grieve, but understanding and accepting why your grief is complex can be healing.

How Therapy Helps with Grief and Loss

Grief counseling isn’t about “moving on” or “getting over it.” It’s about learning how to carry your loss in a way that allows you to keep living.

Evidence-based approaches have been shown to help people process loss, reduce distress, and re-engage with life .

In therapy, you can:

• Make sense of your emotional experience
• Process unresolved feelings or complicated relationships
• Reduce feelings of guilt, shame, or self-blame
• Learn ways to cope with triggers, anniversaries, and reminders
• Rebuild a sense of meaning, identity, and connection

For those experiencing complex grief, therapy may also include gently revisiting the story of the loss and exploring the relationship in a safe, supported way.

You Don’t Have to Do This Alone

Grief can be isolating. It can feel like the world keeps moving while you’re standing still.

But healing doesn’t mean forgetting.

It doesn’t mean letting go of your loved one.

And it doesn’t mean forcing yourself to feel okay.

It means finding a way to stay connected to what matters, while also making space for your own life.

Looking for a Therapist for Grief Counseling in Massachusetts?

If you’re struggling with grief, you deserve support that feels understanding, not clinical or rushed. Handel Behavioral Therapy’s licensed mental health counselors are here to help you navigate loss with care, clarity, and compassion.

Our therapists provide compassionate, individualized grief counseling in Massachusetts, meeting you wherever you are in your process.

Contact us today for grief counseling in Massachusetts. We offer both telehealth/online therapy as well as in-person therapy at our offices in Amherst, Springfield, Wilbraham, Natick, and Franklin Massachusetts. Call  (413) 343-4357 or request an appointment online today to get started.

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