Someone you love is gone. Maybe it was sudden, a heart attack, an accident, a phone call that changed everything. Maybe it was expected, a long illness, hospice, watching them slip away. Either way, the world keeps moving and you’re stuck. Frozen in the moment everything changed.
People keep asking “How are you?” and you don’t know how to answer. You’re supposed to be “healing” by now. Getting “back to normal.” But normal doesn’t exist anymore.
Grief doesn’t follow a timeline. It doesn’t care that “it’s been six months” or “it’s been a year.” It doesn’t care that people think you should be “moving on.” Grief is messy, nonlinear, and exhausting, and you’re allowed to be wherever you are in the process.
As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 20 years of experience, I provide compassionate grief counseling for people navigating loss, whether it’s the death of a loved one, a relationship, your health, or a version of life you expected. I create a space where your grief is honored, not rushed. Where you can fall apart without judgment. Where healing happens at YOUR pace.
It's been months (or years), and people act like you should be "back to normal." But the grief is still overwhelming. You feel guilty for "not healing fast enough."
You go to work, take care of others, keep up appearances. But inside, you're numb. You're surviving, not living.
You think you're okay, then something triggers you and you're drowning again. You never know when the next wave will hit.
What if I'd called the ambulance sooner?" "What if we'd talked more?" "I should have said I love you." The guilt is eating you alive.
You're furious, and then you feel guilty for being angry. But the rage won't go away.
Your loss is "disenfranchised", people don't see it as "real" grief. But your pain is just as real.
Yes, and we’ll do it together.
Grief therapy isn’t about “getting over it” or “moving on.” It’s about learning to carry the loss, honor the pain, and rebuild a life that includes grief without being consumed by it.
Session 1-2: Honoring Your Story
You tell me about your loss. Who they were. What happened. What you’re struggling with. I listen, without judgment, without rushing you, without minimizing your pain. There’s no timeline here. Grief takes as long as it takes.
Session 3-8: Processing the Pain
We sit with the grief. We explore the guilt, the anger, the regret. We work through the “what ifs” and the “should haves.” We address complicated feelings (relief when someone suffered, anger at them for leaving, guilt for moving forward). All of it is normal.
Session 9-20: Navigating Life With Loss
As the acute crisis softens (it doesn’t disappear), we work on rebuilding: How do you honor them while still living? How do you navigate holidays? When is it okay to feel joy again? How do you answer “How are you?” There’s no timeline, we move at YOUR pace.
Session 20+: Integration & Continued Growth
Grief doesn’t end, but it changes. We shift to less frequent sessions. You’ll have tools for managing grief waves, honoring your loved one, and living a life that includes both loss and meaning.
There’s no timeline here. Grief takes as long as it takes. You won’t hear “Shouldn’t you be over this by now?”
Death, divorce, miscarriage, estrangement, health, identity, all losses are valid. Your grief matters.
Losing someone you had a complicated relationship with creates complicated grief. Anger, guilt, relief, sadness, all at once.
There’s no timeline. Some people feel better within months; others take years. Grief isn’t something you “get over”, it’s something you learn to carry.
That’s okay. Complicated grief, traumatic loss, or lack of support can prolong grief. Therapy can help even years later.
Not everyone cries. Numbness, anger, denial, these are also grief. There’s no “right way” to grieve.
Especially if they suffered or if the relationship was complicated, relief is normal. It doesn’t mean you didn’t love them.
People mean well but often say unhelpful things. Grief counseling helps you navigate others’ discomfort and protect your own process.
There’s no timeline. Joy and grief can coexist. Feeling happy doesn’t mean you’re “over” the loss.
Disenfranchised grief is real grief. Your loss matters, even if others don’t understand.
I accept Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, United Healthcare, Cigna, and other major insurers. Contact me to verify your specific plan coverage.
in-person and online options throughout Illinois.
Friday 10 AM – 8 PM
Saturday 9 AM – 3 PM
1525 East 53rd Street
Suite 433
Chicago, IL 60615
Parking: Paid parking available behind Akira and paid street parking.
Public Transit: CTA and Metra
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday
11 AM – 8 PM
125 South Wacker Drive
Suite 308
Chicago, IL 60606
Parking: Paid street parking or multiple public garages..
Public Transit: CTA & Metra.
Whether you’re navigating relationship struggles, identity questions, trauma recovery, or generational patterns you’re ready to break, I’m here to help. Fill out the form, and I will reach out to you as soon as I can.
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