Grief & Loss Counseling
Boutique East Bay Therapy & Counseling In Orinda, CA
Relational, depth-oriented therapy for adults seeking deeper clarity and meaningful change.
Grief and loss support for adults in Orinda and the East Bay, with in-person and online sessions available throughout California.
Understanding Grief & Loss
When Loss Reshapes Your World
Grief can take many forms, losing a loved one, the end of a relationship, a miscarriage, the death of a pet, or even the loss of a dream, a role, or a version of yourself.
Whatever the source, grief has a way of turning life upside down. Time may keep moving forward, but you may feel frozen, disoriented, or numb.
Many people also find that grief brings unexpected shifts in identity and direction, something I explore further in our post on how life transitions can leave you feeling out of alignment and unsure of who you are now.
You may find yourself asking: How do I live with this? Will I ever feel okay again?
There’s no right way to grieve and no timeline. Grief is deeply personal, and so is healing.
Therapy provides a place to feel less alone, understand the shifting emotions of grief, and begin carrying the weight of loss with greater compassion and support.
How It Shows Up &
What You Might Notice
Grief doesn’t always look like sadness. It can be raw and hurting, or quiet and hidden. Sometimes it comes in bursts. Sometimes it lingers in the background. And often, it doesn’t match what others expect.
You might notice:
A deep heaviness, numbness, or emotional flatness
Intense sadness, anger, guilt, or confusion
Trouble concentrating or functioning in daily life
Feeling alone, even around others
Shame about how long it’s taking to “move on”
Anxiety or fear about the future without what (or who) you’ve lost
A loss of identity, meaning, or purpose
Changes in sleep, appetite, or physical health
Longing for understanding, peace, or closure that feels out of reach
Grief isn’t something to fix; it’s something to be witnessed, felt, and honored.
Therapy gives you a compassionate space to do just that.
How Grief & Loss Work Is Supported in Therapy
Grief isn’t something to fix; it’s something to experience and understand. In therapy, we explore how loss has reshaped your emotional world, identity, and daily patterns. We attend to your unique process of mourning, including the thoughts, sensations, relational shifts, and meaning changes that accompany grief. Therapy provides a supportive space to name what’s present, sit with ambivalence, and gradually learn ways to carry loss that respect both your pain and your ongoing life.
In therapy, we may work toward:
Exploring how loss has reshaped your emotions, identity, and patterns
Noticing how grief shows up physically, cognitively, and relationally
Attending to inner conflict, ambivalence, and unexpected emotional shifts
Naming memories, attachments, and unfinished stories with support
Learning ways of carrying grief that honor both pain and life
What Clients Often Notice Over Time
Through this process, clients often describe:
Feeling less alone and more understood in their grief experience
Beginning to process complex emotions like guilt, anger, or regret
Finding personal meaning and evolving stories of loss and love
Reconnecting with inner strength, voice, and emotional resilience
Identifying and expressing needs without shame or pressure
Integrating loss into life in ways that honor both love and pain
Frequently Asked Questions About Grief & Loss Counseling
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Grief can follow the death of a loved one, but it can also arise from other losses—such as the end of a relationship, loss of health, fertility challenges, career changes, or the loss of a hoped-for future. All forms of grief are valid and deserving of care.
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No. Grief is deeply personal and often non-linear. It can come in waves, change over time, and resurface in unexpected moments. Therapy offers space to grieve without pressure to move on or feel better on a set timeline.
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That response is common. Grief doesn’t always look like tears or visible distress. Numbness, exhaustion, or emotional distance can be protective responses to loss, and therapy can help you gently reconnect with what you’re carrying.
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Yes. Grief doesn’t expire. Unprocessed or complicated grief can surface months or years later, especially during other life transitions. Therapy can help you tend to grief that hasn’t yet had space to be felt or understood.
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Grief counseling isn’t about forgetting or “getting over” a loss. It focuses on honoring what was lost, making meaning of the experience, and finding ways to carry grief that allow for both remembrance and continued living.
Ready to Take the
First Step?
If any part of this resonates, or even if you're unsure where to begin, I invite you to reach out. Together, we can explore what’s possible and find a path forward that feels right for you. Either click below or call/text (925) 259-3145 for more information or to book a free 20-minute consultation.
