Grief Therapy & Loss Counseling in Chicago & Northbrook IL

And it is not only about death. Grief can accompany the end of a relationship, the loss of a version of yourself, the loss of a future you had been counting on. Whatever you are mourning, your grief is real and it deserves to be met with care.

While grief is normal, it can become complicated or overwhelming in ways that significantly interfere with daily functioning. Therapy is not about moving past grief faster. It is about moving through it, with support, in a way that does not leave you stuck or alone with it.

• Death of a spouse, partner, parent, child, sibling, or friend
• Loss of a pregnancy, including miscarriage and stillbirth
• Loss of a relationship through separation or divorce
• Loss of health, function, or physical capacity
• Loss of a job or career identity
• Loss of a previous version of yourself or your life
• Estrangement from family
• Ambiguous loss: grieving someone who is still alive but no longer accessible, as with dementia, addiction, or estrangement

How do I know if I need grief therapy?
Grief therapy is worth considering if grief is significantly interfering with daily functioning, relationships, or self-care; if you feel stuck or unable to accept what happened; or if you simply want a dedicated space to process your loss. There is no threshold of loss that has to be crossed to deserve support.

What is complicated grief?
Complicated grief, clinically called prolonged grief disorder, involves intense, persistent grief that does not follow the expected trajectory of gradual adjustment. It includes profound longing, difficulty accepting the loss, functional impairment, and often a sense that life is meaningless without the person or thing lost.

How long does grief therapy take?
This varies widely depending on the type and circumstances of the loss, history, and whether grief is complicated or connected to trauma. Some benefit from a shorter grief-specific course of therapy. Others find grief opens deeper work that benefits from longer engagement.

Is grief therapy different from regular therapy?
Grief-informed therapy brings specific knowledge of the grief process and evidence-based approaches for supporting mourning. It differs from general therapy in its focus on loss, meaning-making, and the particular ways that grief can become complicated.

Is grief therapy available via telehealth?
Yes. Grief therapy is well-suited to telehealth. Many people find the comfort of their own home helpful when processing loss. Midwest Counseling offers grief therapy via telehealth across Illinois and many other states.