Support for Navigating Loss and Reconnecting With Life

Grief Counseling in New York

Online grief counseling for adolescents and adults across New York.

Welcome

Understanding Grief

Grief is a natural response to losing someone or something important to you. It may follow a death, the end of a relationship, or changes in your identity, faith, or sense of safety. Your feelings may shift from day to day, with moments of sadness, anger, numbness, or uncertainty.

Loss can affect both your emotional and physical well-being. You may feel disconnected from familiar routines or unsure what comes next. Grief counseling offers space to explore what the loss means to you and find support as you adjust to life around it.

There is no single way to grieve or a timeline you need to follow. Whether your loss is recent or happened years ago, your experience deserves care and understanding.

Grief and Life Transitions

Different Kinds of Loss Can Bring Up Grief

Experiences we can discuss during a consultation include:

The death of someone close to you, whether recent or in the past
The death of a pet or animal companion
The end of a marriage or significant relationship
A health diagnosis that changes your life or your hopes for the future
The loss of a job, career, or sense of professional identity

Infertility, pregnancy loss, or changes in your expectations of family life
Changes in your relationship with a faith community or cultural identity
Estrangement or a loss of connection with family
Moving away from a familiar home, community, or country

Some losses are less visible to the people around you. You may be navigating a major life transition while also grieving what has changed. We take time to understand your experience and discuss whether our practice is the right fit for the support you’re seeking.

When Support May Help

When Grief Feels Overwhelming or Difficult to Process

Grief can remain part of your life while changing over time. If it continues to feel consuming or makes everyday life difficult, additional support may be helpful. You might notice:

Intense longing or thoughts about the loss that remain difficult to manage
Difficulty making sense of or accepting what has happened
Avoiding reminders in ways that limit your daily activities or relationships
Feeling disconnected from your identity or sense of purpose
Persistent emotional numbness
Guilt about the loss or about experiencing moments of enjoyment
Difficulty imagining a meaningful future

These experiences don’t mean you’re grieving incorrectly. A grief therapist can help you understand what you’re going through, including grief that feels prolonged or complicated, and explore the support you need.

Whether low mood has been part of your life for years or has developed more recently, therapy can help you explore what you’re experiencing. Your needs and goals guide the work we do together.

Virtual Care

Online Grief Counseling Throughout New York

Thought Shift Therapy provides online grief counseling for adolescents and adults throughout New York State. You can meet with your therapist from a private, comfortable space without adding travel to your day.

After a loss, daily life may already involve new responsibilities or unfamiliar routines. Virtual sessions offer a way to make room for your own support while navigating those changes. Being in a familiar setting may also help you feel more comfortable sharing your feelings and taking time to reflect afterward.

Sessions take place through secure video. You’ll need a private space and a reliable internet connection.

Our Approach

Our Approach to Grief Counseling

Our work begins with understanding your loss and how it has affected you. We make space for the feelings that arise, at a pace that respects your needs. The approaches we use support emotional awareness and help you explore ways to stay connected with what matters to you.

Narrative Therapy

Offers a space to talk about the person, relationship, or part of your life you’ve lost. Together, we explore the meaning of those experiences, including feelings or memories that may be difficult to share elsewhere.

Mindfulness and Grounding Practices

Help you notice how grief affects your body as well as your thoughts. When emotions feel overwhelming, these skills can support you in returning your attention to the present and responding with greater steadiness.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Helps you examine thought patterns that add to your distress, such as self-blame or repeatedly questioning what you could have done differently. We work together to develop a more balanced and compassionate understanding of these thoughts.

Parts Work and Self-Compassion Practices

Offer room to understand feelings that may seem to conflict with one another, such as love and anger, or sadness and relief. You can explore these responses with curiosity and care.

As therapy continues, we explore what reconnecting with relationships, routines, and a sense of purpose might look like for you. There is room to carry the significance of your loss while finding meaning in your life now.

Getting Started

How We Begin

01 Schedule a consultation

All of our therapists offer a free 15-minute call where you can ask questions and share what brings you to therapy.

02 Understand your needs

We talk about the support you’re seeking and help you consider which therapist may be a good fit.

03 Begin therapy

You and your therapist make space for your experience and decide together how to approach the work.

Testimonials

What Our Clients Says

      EXCELLENT  
   Based on 5 reviews 
    
 
 
 
   
 
 
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   Alex 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Would absolutely recommend this practice; very professional while also personable, kind, and helpful which is not always easy to come by.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Angel Vasquez 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. A wonderful therapy practice with caring, knowledgeable professionals who really take the time to listen. Highly recommend!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Corina Funez 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I chose this therapy practice because I really connected with the message on their website, and it’s amazing to see that they truly live by it. They supported me through a difficult transition and helped me build the tools I needed to get through a really challenging time. The free consultations made such a difference—it allowed me to find the therapist who felt like the best fit, and honestly, they were all incredible. I’m so grateful for the care, compassion, and guidance I received here. Highly recommend!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Jessica Esposito 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Thought Shift Therapy is outstanding! Their therapists are exceptionally skilled and provide high-quality care. I highly recommend them for anyone seeking specialized, culturally sensitive therapy.

Cleo is a breath of fresh air in a world that can sometimes seem bleak and scary! She takes time to listen, validate and help me make sense of what I’m feeling, and provide techniques to better navigate my anxiety and adverse situations. She’s referred me to specialists when needed (like exploring neuro-psych testing and medication for ADHD) and I appreciate her flexibility when I have a last minute meeting and have to move my appts. I feel in good hands with her for sure.

Jordan was everything I was hoping for in a therapist. His young and positive approach to life has left him with zero room for judgment. I felt comfortable right away and he somehow helped me feel so much better about a super rough situation. He helped me see things from such an interesting perspective. I would highly recommend him for anyone who is afraid of starting their journey with therapy or worried that the judgment of talking about hard stuff is just too much. I can almost promise he will make you feel comfortable right away as well.

Cleo is awesome! Her love and passion for her profession are reflected in all she does. She has helped me so much on my healing journey. The support and tools she has provided throughout our sessions have made me feel empowered and has uplifted my self-esteem, allowing me to confront each challenge encountered. I am grateful for her patience and understanding. I have a gem of a therapist!

My therapist Cleo has provided me with non-judgmental, thoughtful support, provided a helpful perspective, and helped me implement strategies in my daily life to cope with obstacles I face. Looking back, I feel that I have made so much progress in incorporating mindfulness and using these strategies. I have had an enlightening experience thus far, and am excited to continue my journey with therapy.

Cleo has been an incredible support system throughout my mental health journey. she is kind and very empathetic. she is also very available in times of need. i don’t know where i would be without her!

The experience was impeccable. Very happy with the services and look forward to continue the therapy sessions. Highly recommend

Thought Shift Therapy is outstanding! Their therapists are exceptionally skilled and provide high-quality care. I highly recommend them for anyone seeking specialized, culturally sensitive therapy.

Truly a breath of fresh air. I have been to a handful of therapists, but I have finally found one who creates the perfect balance between thoughtful feedback, genuine compassion, and consistent support. Jordan is patient centered, attentive, and incredibly supportive. I feel heard, understood, and encouraged every session. Thank you, Jordan!

Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Grief Counseling

How soon after a loss should I start therapy?

You can seek support whenever you feel you would benefit from it. Some people reach out soon after a loss, while others begin later. You don’t need to wait for your grief to reach a particular level before speaking with a therapist.

Can grief counseling help with a loss other than death?

Yes. The loss of a relationship, role, home, faith, or hoped-for future can also bring grief. We can talk about how a loss or life transition is affecting you and whether our approach fits your needs.

Does grief counseling cover the loss of a pet?

Yes. The bond with an animal companion can be as close as any other relationship in your life, and losing one can be just as painful. Some people feel they should be able to manage it on their own, or worry that others won’t understand. You are welcome to bring this loss here, and it receives the same care as any other grief.

I lost someone a long time ago. Is it too late?

No. Grief can become more noticeable again during milestones, life changes, or another loss. Therapy can provide space to explore feelings that remain important, regardless of how much time has passed.

What if my feelings about the person are complicated?

You may miss someone while also feeling anger, relief, regret, or hurt. Grief counseling offers space to explore the relationship as you experienced it, including the parts that are difficult to put into words.

Does online grief counseling work?

Online grief counseling can provide meaningful support through conversation, reflection, and coping skills practiced over video. Some people find a familiar setting helpful. Your consultation is an opportunity to discuss whether virtual sessions would feel comfortable and appropriate for you.

How long does grief counseling take?

The length of therapy depends on your needs and what you hope to work on. You may want support through a particular period or more time to explore the effects of your loss. You and your therapist will check in about what feels helpful as the work continues.

How are grief counseling and trauma therapy different?

Grief counseling supports you in processing loss and adjusting to changes in your life, including bereavement. Trauma therapy addresses the lasting effects of distressing experiences, which may affect your sense of safety or the way you respond to reminders. These experiences can overlap, particularly when a loss also feels traumatic. We take time to understand how both are affecting you and tailor the work to your needs.

What if I'm not sure whether I need grief counseling or trauma therapy?

You don’t need to choose an approach before reaching out. We can begin with what you’re experiencing now, whether that is sadness, numbness, difficult memories, or feeling disconnected. During your consultation, we’ll talk about the support you’re seeking and consider what may be helpful.

“You don't have to have the right words for what you're carrying. Therapy offers a place to begin making sense of it.”

Cleopatra Zhonga, LMHC

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Begin with a Conversation

If you’re looking for grief counseling in New York, we invite you to connect with us. Each of our therapists offers a free 15-minute consultation. Select “Request a Free Consultation” or visit Our Therapists to book directly and learn more about working together.