How do I know if I need grief counseling?

Consider reaching out if: * you feel stuck in heavy guilt, regret, or rumination * daily functioning (sleep, food, work, basic tasks) is hard to maintain * you feel isolated or like you can’t lean on anyone * the grief is complicated by trauma, family dynamics, burnout, or pet loss * you’re tired of holding it together alone

What if I feel relief after the death? Does that mean something is wrong with me?

Not at all. Feeling relief is actually a very human response, especially if you watched someone suffer or if the relationship was complicated. Sometimes both peace and guilt show up at the same time, and that doesn’t mean anything is wrong with you. It just means you’re human and we can make space for all of it in therapy.

Is grief therapy only for recent losses?

Not at all. Some people reach out right after a loss, while others come months or even years later when the grief still feels just as heavy. There isn’t an expiration date on grief it shows up in its own time, and therapy can meet you there.

How long does grief therapy take?

There isn’t a set timeline for grief therapy. Some people only need a handful of sessions to feel supported and gain a few tools, while others want a longer space to work through the ups and downs. We’ll move at whatever pace feels right for you.

What if I don’t like to cry in front of people?

Many of my clients are “the strong one” in their family, the helper, the fixer, the one who keeps it together. Therapy is a private space where you don’t have to perform or hold back. You get to show up exactly as you are, tears or no tears.

What if my loss was a pet? Will you take that seriously?

Yes. Losing a pet can be just as heartbreaking as losing a person. The bond we have with our animals runs deep, and that kind of grief is real. You don’t have to explain or justify it with me, your love and your loss matter.

People see me as “the strong one.” Why am I falling apart now?

Being the strong one often means you’re used to helping others, staying composed, and not needing much. Loss can overwhelm even the most capable person. Strength isn’t “never needing support.” Sometimes strength is finally letting yourself be supported.

What are common grief symptoms?

Grief can include: * brain fog, forgetfulness, poor focus * trouble eating, sleeping, showering, or keeping routines * waves of sadness or panic that feel sudden * numbness or feeling disconnected * guilt, regret, rumination, and “what if” spirals * physical symptoms (fatigue, headaches, nausea, upset stomach, low appetite, hypersensitivity) * anxiety about the future and feeling like life is out of control * sometimes relief or peace (and then guilt about that)

How can therapy help with grief?

Grief therapy can help you: * make space for the emotions without getting overwhelmed * reduce “what if” spirals and rumination * work through guilt and regret * set realistic expectations (especially if you over-function) * learn how to ask for help and communicate needs * reconnect with values and rebuild daily life * find ways to honor and remember them meaningfully * move forward without feeling like you’re betraying their memory

What if my relationship with the person who died was complicated?

That’s common. Grief can include love, anger, relief, resentment, longing, and unfinished feelings, all at once. Therapy can hold the whole truth, not just the “say nice things” version.

Counseling for Grief and Loss

Dr. Christine Henry is a licensed psychologist with over 20 years of clinical experience. She provides online grief counseling for adults navigating the death of a loved one, anticipatory grief, changes in family relationships after a death, and losses that don't involve death, including fertility struggles, career loss, and major life transitions.

Available throughout Texas and PSYPACT states.

Schedule a Free Consultation

Grief Can Change So Much About Your Life

Losing someone you love can turn your world upside down. Maybe you're going through the motions of everyday life, but everything feels different now. You miss the person you lost, and you're trying to figure out how to live in a world without them.

And sometimes the relationship was complicated. You might feel sadness, anger, guilt, relief, or a combination of emotions that doesn't always make sense.

Losing a parent can also change your relationships with siblings and other family members. Old conflicts may resurface, family roles can shift, and you may find yourself questioning what your family looks like now.

But grief doesn't always begin with a death.

Maybe you're watching a parent decline and worrying about what's coming, facing difficult decisions about an aging pet, struggling with infertility, or grieving a career or future you imagined for yourself

Grief isn't just about missing someone. Sometimes it's about trying to figure out who you are and what your life looks like after something important has changed

What Grief Can Look Like

Grief doesn't look the same for everyone. Sometimes you're managing everyday life just fine, and other times even the smallest things feel overwhelming.

You might recognize some of these experiences:

Going through the motions. You're doing what needs to get done, but you feel disconnected from your life or the people around you.
Emotions that catch you off guard. You might feel okay one minute and find yourself crying, angry, or overwhelmed the next.
Difficulty concentrating or remembering things. Tasks that used to be easy suddenly take more effort.
Guilt and second guessing. You keep replaying conversations, decisions, or things you wish you'd done differently.
Changes in sleep, appetite, or energy. You feel exhausted, restless, or physically worn down.
Living with uncertainty. You may be anticipating a loss without knowing when it will happen, or struggling with a situation where there's no clear ending or resolution.

And sometimes you don't feel much of anything. Numbness can be part of grief, too.

You don't have to be falling apart for your grief to deserve support.

You are used to being the one who everyone else turns to for support.

Admitting you need help, let alone asking for it, isn't easy when you're used to holding everything together.

You don’t have to do this alone.

Therapy can help!

Schedule 20 Min Free Consultation

Types of Grief and Loss I Work With

Death of a loved one: Losing a parent, partner, or someone important to you, whether the death was recent or happened years ago.
Family changes after a death: Shifting relationships with siblings, unresolved family conflicts, changing roles, and grieving a complicated relationship with the person who died.
Anticipatory grief: Watching someone you love decline due to aging or illness, navigating caregiving responsibilities, or facing the possible loss of a beloved pet.
Other Losses: Infertility, pregnancy loss, divorce, estrangement, job loss, or coming to terms with a future that looks different from what you imagined.
Identity and life transitions: Changes in health, aging, retirement, children growing up, or questioning your sense of purpose after a major life change.

What's It Like to Sit With Me in Therapy?

My style is conversational, curious, and collaborative. I'll tell you how it is, but always with kindness. I'll ask questions, share observations, and help you connect dots you might not have noticed.

Grief can be really heavy, but that doesn't mean every moment has to be serious. If dark humor is how you sometimes cope, I'm comfortable with that. Movie quotes, TV references, and that passage from a book that perfectly describes what you're going through are welcome, too. Sometimes those things help us talk about feelings that are hard to put into words.

You don't need to have your thoughts organized or know exactly where to start. And if your dog is curled up next to you or your cat wants to make an appearance, they're welcome too.

How Can Grief Counseling Help?

Grief can change how you see yourself, your relationships, and your future. Therapy gives you a place to make sense of those changes without feeling pressured to move on or get over what happened.

Together, we can:

Explore complicated relationships. Talk about the person you lost, the relationship you had, and how your connections with family members may have changed.
Work through guilt and regret. Explore the "what ifs," decisions you second guess, and conversations you wish had gone differently.
Make room for your own needs. Explore how to ask for support, set boundaries, and recognize when you're expecting too much of yourself.
Navigate changes in identity and purpose. Explore who you are now, what matters to you, and what you want your life to look like after a significant loss.
Find ways to stay connected to what matters. Whether that's honoring someone's memory, maintaining meaningful traditions, or figuring out how to carry something important from your past into your present.

Sometimes people feel guilty when they start enjoying life again, as though happiness means they've forgotten someone or that the loss didn't matter enough.

You can miss someone terribly and still have moments of happiness. One doesn't cancel out the other.

Ready to Talk About What You've Been Going Through?

You spend a lot of time being there for other people. Maybe it's time to have some support for yourself, too.

Whether you're dealing with a recent loss or something that's been weighing on you for years, we can talk about what's going on and what you'd like to get out of therapy.

Schedule a Free 20 Minute Consultation

We'll meet over video, talk about what's bringing you to therapy, and see if we'd be a good fit. No phone call needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Consider reaching out if:
- you feel stuck in heavy guilt, regret, or rumination
- daily functioning (sleep, food, work, basic tasks) is hard to maintain
- you feel isolated or like you can’t lean on anyone
- the grief is complicated by trauma, family dynamics, burnout, or pet loss
- you’re tired of holding it together alone
Not at all. Feeling relief is actually a very human response, especially if you watched someone suffer or if the relationship was complicated. Sometimes both peace and guilt show up at the same time, and that doesn’t mean anything is wrong with you. It just means you’re human and we can make space for all of it in therapy.
Not at all. Some people reach out right after a loss, while others come months or even years later when the grief still feels just as heavy. There isn’t an expiration date on grief it shows up in its own time, and therapy can meet you there.
There isn’t a set timeline for grief therapy. Some people only need a handful of sessions to feel supported and gain a few tools, while others want a longer space to work through the ups and downs. We’ll move at whatever pace feels right for you.
Many of my clients are “the strong one” in their family, the helper, the fixer, the one who keeps it together. Therapy is a private space where you don’t have to perform or hold back. You get to show up exactly as you are, tears or no tears.
Absolutely. Anticipating the loss of a pet can be heartbreaking, especially when you're watching their health decline or facing difficult decisions about their care and quality of life.
Pets are family, and the bond you share with them deserves to be taken seriously. We can talk about the sadness, guilt, uncertainty, and emotional toll of caring for an aging or seriously ill pet, including decisions about euthanasia and how to make the most of the time you have together.
That’s common. Grief can include love, anger, relief, resentment, longing, and unfinished feelings, all at once. Therapy can hold the whole truth, not just the “say nice things” version.
I don’t bill insurance directly, but I can give you a superbill to submit if your insurance offers out-of-network reimbursement. Many people prefer private pay because it keeps your records private and avoids session limits or restrictions. Insurance companies often want to label grief as a “disorder” and only allow coverage for a short window of time as if there’s a deadline for mourning. Private pay lets us move at your pace without pathologizing a normal human experience.
Losing a parent can change the whole family dynamic. Old conflicts may resurface, disagreements about caregiving or inheritance can create tension, or you may realize your parent was the one keeping everyone connected.
Sometimes you're grieving not just your parent, but the relationships you thought you'd have with your siblings. Therapy can help you make sense of those changes and decide what you want those relationships to look like now.