Grief Therapy
Grief is a natural response to loss, yet it can feel overwhelming, isolating, and unpredictable. Whether it follows the death of a loved one, the end of a relationship, or a major life transition, grief often affects every part of life from emotions and thoughts to physical health and relationships.
The study of grief has a long history in psychology. Sigmund Freud’s Mourning and Melancholia (1917) introduced the idea that grieving involves working through the reality of loss. Later, Elisabeth Kübler-Ross’s “five stages of grief” (denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance) brought grief into broader public awareness. Today, modern grief therapy has moved beyond a single model. It draws on evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Complicated Grief Treatment (CGT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and trauma-focused modalities like EMDR. Research shows that these interventions can reduce symptoms of prolonged grief disorder, depression, and trauma while helping people adapt, strengthen resilience, and find new meaning in their lives.
At Eastside DBT NYC, we provide a safe and compassionate space to process grief at your own pace, offering support that honors each person’s unique journey.
The Structure of Grief Therapy
1/ Emotional Support
Grief therapy begins with creating a safe and compassionate space where you can share and explore your feelings without judgment. Emotions such as sadness, anger, guilt, or numbness are all common responses to loss, and many people find it difficult to express these feelings openly in their everyday lives. In therapy, you are given the time and support to acknowledge these emotions and begin to understand them as a natural part of the grieving process.
2/ Coping Skills
As grief can feel unpredictable and overwhelming, therapy provides tools and strategies to help you manage the intensity of your emotions. This may involve learning ways to calm your body and mind during waves of grief, or developing healthier routines that bring stability to your daily life. The goal is not to erase grief, but to help you build resilience so that moments of pain become more manageable over time.
3/ Meaning-Making
Another important part of grief therapy is exploring the meaning of your loss and how it fits into your life story. For some, this involves finding ways to honor a loved one’s memory. For others, it may mean reconnecting with personal values, relationships, or spiritual practices that bring comfort. Therapy can help you reflect on what has been lost while also identifying what still gives your life purpose and connection.
4/ Integration
Ultimately, grief therapy supports you in finding a new balance between remembering what has been lost and engaging with the present. Integration does not mean forgetting or leaving grief behind. Instead, it allows you to carry your loss in a way that feels less overwhelming, making space for both sorrow and hope. Over time, many clients find that therapy helps them continue to honor their loss while also opening themselves to new experiences, relationships, and opportunities for growth.
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