Grief Therapy
in Falls Church, VA
Virtual therapy available in Virginia and Washington, DC
Grief can reshape the way you experience yourself, your relationships, and your world. It may follow the loss of a loved one, but also the loss of health, identity, or the life you once imagined. Over time, you may find yourself feeling disconnected, overwhelmed, or unsure how to move forward in a way that makes sense.
Therapy can help you take time to process what’s been lost, make sense of your experience, and begin to find your footing again. Together, we can explore your grief with care, honor the depth of what you’re carrying, and find ways of moving forward at your pace.
Grief therapy may be helpful for you if…
You’re grieving the loss of a loved one, your health, a relationship, or a version of your life that’s changed.
Your grief is showing up in unexpected ways, impacting your day-to-day life. Others expect you to be “doing better”, and it just doesn’t feel that simple.
You feel overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure how to heal after loss. This makes you feel disconnected from yourself, others, or the world around you.
You’re holding sadness, anger, guilt, or other emotions that feel difficult to process. The full weight of your loss feels hard to understand or put into words.
You’re trying to make sense of what’s happened, what it means for your life, and find your way towards healing.
What grief therapy looks like with me in Falls Church, VA
What we'll focus onGrief touches every part of life. Whether you're grieving a person, your health, your body, a relationship, or the life you expected, therapy becomes a place to understand how that loss is showing up today.
Together, we may explore:
making sense of life after loss
changes in identity and sense of self
grief related to illness, infertility, or major life transitions
complicated emotions like guilt, anger, or relief
changes in relationships or feeling disconnected from others
finding ways to carry grief while continuing to move forward
Making sense of what’s changedOne of the things I hear most often is, "I don't recognize my life anymore." Grief has a way of changing more than the thing you've lost. It can change your relationships, your sense of safety, your identity, your hopes for the future, and even the way you move through everyday life. It can leave you wondering why things that once felt simple now feel so difficult.
In therapy, we make space for the full experience of grief, both the parts that feel obvious and the parts that you’ve been quietly, or secretly, carrying. Together, we explore what has been lost, what that loss has meant for you, and how it continues to shape your life today. Rather than trying to "move on," we begin exploring how you can carry your grief while also creating space for healing, connection, and meaning.
Finding your way forwardThere isn't one right way to grieve, and there isn't a timeline you have to follow. As we better understand your experience, we begin exploring what support, healing, and moving forward look like for you.
Depending on your goals, this may include:
processing emotions that feel difficult to hold on your own
reconnecting with people and activities that feel meaningful
navigating anniversaries, milestones, or reminders
rebuilding trust in yourself and your ability to cope
making room for both grief and moments of joy
discovering what life can look like after profound change
Bringing therapy into everyday lifeAt times, I may suggest reflections, journaling prompts, or small practices to continue between sessions. These aren't meant to rush your grief or move you toward acceptance before you're ready. They're opportunities to gently stay connected to yourself, honor your experience, and bring what we're exploring in therapy into your everyday life.
Meet your grief therapist
in Falls Church, VA
Virtual therapy available throughout Virginia and Washington, DC
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Hi, I’m Lauren. I’m a licensed clinical social worker and have spent my entire career supporting individuals and couples navigating illness and treatment. Over the years, I've found myself especially drawn to supporting people through the losses and life changes that often accompany illness, treatment, and major transitions.
One of the things I hear most often from clients is that life no longer feels the way it used to. Grief often shows up in unexpected places - your relationship with your body, your sense of self, your relationships, your hopes for the future, or your ability to feel connected to the things that matter to you.
In our first session(s), I take the time to get to know you as a whole person (or couple), not just the concern(s) that bring you to therapy. I find that getting to know you, your strengths, your support systems, relationships, and what matters most to you allows us to build a stronger rapport and tailor our work to your unique needs and values.
Therapy with me is often a mix of reflection, deep emotional processing, and practical change. We may spend time making sense of what has been lost, processing the emotions that come with that loss, and exploring how to move forward while continuing to honor what matters most to you. We may also spend time exploring patterns that keep showing up in your life, work on communication and intimacy, and find ways to reconnect to yourself and others. I typically recommend starting with weekly sessions to give us time to get to know each other, build trust, and create momentum around your goals.
I take a collaborative approach and see therapy as a partnership. Together, we’ll decide on therapy goals, priorities, and home practices. If anything we discuss doesn’t make sense to you or work for your life, I want to know so that we can discuss it in more depth. I find therapy works best when there is honesty, authenticity, and a unique plan tailored to you and your life.
I’m excited to work alongside you and support you in reaching your goals. If you have any questions about therapy or whether we might be a good fit, please reach out. I’d be happy to connect with you.
Look at my
FAQs
Curious to learn more?
It's completely normal to have questions before starting therapy. My FAQ page answers many of the most common ones - from fees and services to what to expect in therapy and how to get started.
Whenever you’re ready
Book a free consultation with me
There is no "right" time to begin therapy after a loss. If you'd like to connect, I offer a free 15-minute consultation where we can talk through your questions and decide whether working together feels like the right fit.
→ Request a consultation
Planning your first session
If it feels like a good fit, we'll schedule your first session together. I'll guide you through the next steps and make sure you have everything you need beforehand.
