Has a close relationship ended or changed?

Conflict, cut off, divorce, and many other events can leave you separated or estranged from people who were once involved and integrated into your life.

Maybe you were the one who ended things, or you got the news dropped in your lap. You may be still processing how and why things changed so suddenly, or you may be grieving the loss of this person even though you know it was for the best. Perhaps you’re feeling pressure to reconcile, dealing with family or friends taking sides, or just missing your old routines.

However things were before, they’re different now and it can be hard to deal with the emotions:

• Feeling like you tried your best to make things work, but they just couldn’t. Now you’re the bad guy even though you offered to do your part to fix the relationship.

• There’s an empty space in your life where that person used to be. It feels weird to grieve someone who’s still alive, but you’re definitely missing them and feeling the loss.

• You miss the person you knew before their accident, addiction, or mental illness changed everything and you’re not sure you like the person they are now.

• Family and friends all have their own opinions about who’s right, who’s to blame, and who still gets to be invited to holidays and other events. It’s frustrating to have to explain why things happened the way they did yet again.

Grief counseling can help the pain of losing a relationship

It may feel impossible now, but you can find your way forward. You can explore who you are now in this new phase of life. You can discover which parts of yourself have been stifled, boxed up, or ignored in the past. And I can help you get there.

Relationship loss therapy helps you:

• Learn how to grieve for someone who is still alive, just not part of your life anymore- even if you’re glad they’re gone

• Identify boundaries you need with friends, family, and others who want to get in the middle of things

• Explore who you are and what you want, need, and desire

• Hold your difficult thoughts, emotions, and memories

• Learn the tools and skills to get back in touch with yourself, unlearn the old roles you used to play, and become who you want to be

I’ll help you through this process, tailoring each step to your unique needs and circumstances. My approach to therapy for relationship loss comes from a place of care and hope: helping you rediscover yourself and supporting your complex emotions.

It’s time to find yourself again. I can help you get there.

Frequently Asked Questions about therapy for relationship loss:

What are grief counseling sessions like for relationship loss?

In the beginning, we’ll talk about what happened and how you’re doing. We’ll also talk about the ways that the separation is impacting your life and other important relationships. As we identify things you want to change, I’ll teach you practical skills to help you get there. We’ll explore internal and external patterns in your relationships that will help you avoid getting stuck in relationships that don’t serve you.

How do I know if therapy will work for me?

While I can’t make guarantees, therapy after losing a relationship helps people to explore the complicated emotions and thoughts that come up when a relationship is ended. These separations can often feel traumatic even if they’re for a good reason, and therapy is a safe space to process all your feelings without judgment.

How do we get started?

We’ll have a 15 minute consultation for us to briefly get to know each other and so I can answer any questions you have about therapy. After that conversation, you’ll get a packet of forms to complete so we can get started. Once those are done, we’ll be able to schedule our first full session.