Grief Support: Counseling, Support Groups, and Crisis Resources

Individual Therapy

One-on-one sessions with a licensed therapist. This is often the most effective option for people experiencing intense grief, complicated grief, or grief combined with other mental health challenges like depression or anxiety. A therapist can provide personalized coping strategies and a safe, private space to process difficult emotions.

When to consider it: You feel overwhelmed most days. You are having trouble sleeping, eating, or functioning at work. You have a history of depression or anxiety. You experienced a traumatic or sudden loss.

Support Groups

Groups of people who have experienced similar losses meeting regularly to share their experiences and support each other. Available both in-person and online. Groups may be general (any type of loss) or specific (loss of a spouse, loss of a child, suicide loss, etc.).

When to consider it: You feel isolated in your grief. You want to connect with others who understand what you are going through. You find comfort in hearing others' experiences. You want ongoing support over weeks or months.

Grief Coaching

A grief coach focuses on helping you move forward and develop practical coping skills. Unlike therapy, which often explores the emotional and psychological roots of grief, coaching is more action-oriented. Grief coaches are not licensed therapists and cannot diagnose or treat mental health conditions.

When to consider it: You are past the acute phase of grief but feel stuck. You want practical strategies for rebuilding daily routines and finding a "new normal."

Faith-Based Support

Many churches, synagogues, mosques, and other religious communities offer grief support ministries, memorial services, and pastoral counseling. These services integrate spiritual care with grief support. Programs like GriefShare are widely available through churches of many denominations.

When to consider it: Your faith is an important part of how you process life. You want spiritual comfort alongside practical support. You already have a community of faith that you trust.

Bereavement Leave

There is no federal law requiring employers to provide bereavement leave. Most employers voluntarily offer 3 to 5 days of paid leave for the death of an immediate family member (spouse, parent, child, sibling). Some offer additional unpaid leave. Check your employee handbook or ask your HR department about your company's specific policy. If you belong to a union, your collective bargaining agreement may include bereavement leave provisions.

FMLA (Family and Medical Leave Act)

While FMLA does not specifically cover bereavement, it may provide up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave if your grief causes a "serious health condition" that makes you unable to perform your job. This requires documentation from a healthcare provider. FMLA applies to employees who have worked for their employer for at least 12 months at a company with 50 or more employees.

Oregon Paid Bereavement Leave

Oregon became the first state to offer paid bereavement leave through its Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance (PFMLI) program, effective September 2023. Eligible workers can receive up to 12 weeks of paid leave for bereavement. Other states, including Illinois and Maryland, have enacted or are considering similar legislation.

Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)

Many employers offer EAPs that provide free, confidential counseling sessions (typically 3 to 8 sessions). EAP services are available to employees and often to their family members as well. Ask your HR department if your employer offers an EAP. These sessions can be a good starting point if you are unsure about committing to ongoing therapy.

When should I seek professional help for grief?

Consider seeking professional help if your grief is making it difficult to function in daily life for more than a few months, if you are using alcohol or drugs to cope, if you feel like life is not worth living, if you are unable to sleep or eat for extended periods, or if you feel "stuck" in your grief without any improvement. There is no wrong time to seek help. Grief counseling is not a sign of weakness; it is a practical tool that can help you process an incredibly difficult experience.

What is the difference between grief counseling and therapy?

Grief counseling typically focuses specifically on processing the loss and learning to adapt to life without the deceased. It is often shorter-term and may be led by counselors, social workers, or trained volunteers. Therapy (psychotherapy) may address grief as part of a broader treatment plan, especially if you are experiencing depression, anxiety, PTSD, or complicated grief. Licensed therapists (psychologists, LCSWs, LPCs) can diagnose and treat mental health conditions alongside grief.

How much does grief counseling cost?

Costs vary widely. Private therapists typically charge $100 to $250 per session, though many offer sliding-scale fees based on income. Online platforms like BetterHelp cost approximately $65 to $100 per week. Many hospice organizations offer free grief counseling for up to 13 months after the death, even if the deceased was not a hospice patient. Support groups through GriefShare and similar organizations are usually free or ask for a small donation. Check with your health insurance, as most plans cover mental health services with a copay.

Are there free grief support resources?

Yes, many grief support resources are completely free. GriefShare operates over 14,000 support groups nationwide. The Compassionate Friends offers free support for parents who have lost a child. Many hospice organizations provide free grief counseling to anyone in the community, not just former patients. TAPS provides free support to military survivors. Online forums and communities on platforms like Reddit (r/GriefSupport) provide peer support at no cost.

Is there a federal bereavement leave law?

There is no federal law requiring employers to provide paid bereavement leave. The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) does not specifically cover bereavement, but it may apply if grief causes a serious health condition that prevents you from working. Some employers voluntarily offer 3 to 5 days of paid bereavement leave for the death of an immediate family member. Oregon became the first state to require paid bereavement leave through its Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance program, effective September 2023. Several other states are considering similar legislation.

What is complicated grief?

Complicated grief, clinically known as Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD), was added to the DSM-5-TR in 2022. It is characterized by intense grief that persists for at least 12 months in adults (6 months in children) and significantly impairs daily functioning. Symptoms include persistent yearning for the deceased, difficulty accepting the death, emotional numbness, a feeling that life is meaningless, and intense loneliness. PGD affects approximately 7 to 10% of bereaved people. It is a recognized clinical condition that responds to specific treatments, particularly Complicated Grief Treatment (CGT).