Therapy for Grief and Loss
At Sarah Cline & Associates, we understand that grief and loss are profound experiences that can deeply impact your life.
Our warm and empathetic approach ensures you will always feel safe, welcomed, and understood.
We work with individuals experiencing the loss of a loved one or a pet, as well as those facing other significant losses such as divorce, job loss, aging, or major life changes.
These challenges can significantly affect daily life, but you don’t have to navigate them alone.
Common Issues and Themes in Therapy for Grief & Loss
Profound sadness
Managing grief
Honoring your loved one or the loss you are experiencing
Relationship challenges related to the loss
Gaining social support and asking for help
Expert Support for Your Mental Health During Grief and Loss
Our Approach
We believe in guiding our clients with compassion and without judgment. Loss is a universal part of life, but the way it impacts each person is deeply individual. Our therapists honor your unique experience of grief, creating space to sit with you in your sadness while offering support and tools to help you move forward at your own pace.
We provide both grief counseling and grief therapy. Grief counseling focuses on offering support, education, and coping strategies for navigating the natural grieving process. Grief therapy, on the other hand, goes deeper—helping to address complicated grief, unresolved emotions, or when grief is intertwined with trauma, depression, or other challenges.
Our approach draws from evidence-based methods such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Internal Family Systems (IFS), always tailored to your needs. Through this blend of empathy, patience, and practical strategies, we help you understand your grief, find meaning, and take steps toward healing.
A Typical Session
During a 55-60 minute session, your therapist will provide a safe and supportive environment for you to express and process your feelings.
Sessions may include:
- Discussing your current emotions and experiences
- Allowing you to share what life is feeling like for you
- Exploring what may be helping or hindering your grieving process
- Providing education about grief and loss
- Offering interventions tailored to your needs
Our compassionate counselors are here to support you through your grief journey, helping you feel empowered and hopeful for the future.
At Sarah Cline & Associates, you are not alone. Together, we can navigate the challenges of grief and loss and work towards healing and acceptance.
Types of Loss
Death
The loss of a loved one can bring overwhelming grief, deep sadness, and feelings of emptiness.
Miscarriage
Pregnancy loss can carry both physical and emotional pain, often accompanied by feelings of guilt, isolation, or silence.
Divorce
The end of a marriage can feel like losing not only a partner but also shared dreams, identity, and stability.
Job Loss
Losing work may trigger grief over financial security, professional identity, and daily purpose.
Other Forms of Loss
Grief isn’t limited to these experiences. It can also arise from moving, estrangement, health changes, infertility, or other life transitions that bring a sense of absence or longing.
What Grief Really Looks Like
Grief is often described in “stages,” but in reality, it doesn’t move in a straight line. Some days you may feel a deep ache, other days anger, and sometimes even moments of relief or joy—none of which means you’re grieving “wrong.” Every person’s grief is unique, shaped by their relationship, culture, and personal history.
It’s also important to recognize common myths about grief. Grief doesn’t have an expiration date—you don’t just “get over it” after a set time. It doesn’t always mean crying; some people express grief more quietly or physically. And grieving doesn’t mean forgetting—healing often means finding a new way to carry the memory of what or who was lost.
Free Grief Journaling Prompts
Writing can be a powerful way to process grief, giving you space to explore emotions that may feel difficult to share out loud. These prompts are meant to gently guide your reflections, helping you express what you’re carrying, notice how your grief shows up, and find small ways to honor your loss. There’s no right or wrong way to answer—just the words that feel true for you in the moment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does grief therapy take?
There’s no set timeline for grief therapy, because grief itself doesn’t follow a schedule. Some people find comfort and support in just a few sessions, while others benefit from ongoing therapy over several months or longer. The length of therapy depends on your goals, the type of loss you’ve experienced, and how grief is affecting your daily life. Together, we’ll check in regularly to make sure therapy continues to meet your needs and adjust the pace as you move through your healing process.
Feel Heard, Feel Safe, Feel Better - Contact Us
In-Person Sessions
2100 Manchester Rd. Suite 501-1
Wheaton, IL. 60187
Virtual Sessions
Throughout Illinois