Grief and Loss Therapy
in Leesburg, VA
When you're living with chronic illness, caring for someone whose health is declining, or balancing the needs of your children and aging parents, you may find yourself grieving losses that other people don't recognize.
Maybe you're mourning the life you thought you'd have, the relationship you once had with someone, or the independence you no longer feel you have. You might not even think of what you're experiencing as grief because no one has died.
But grief isn't limited to death. Sometimes, the losses that affect us most are the ones that don't come with a funeral.
As a grief counselor in Leesburg, VA, I help you make sense of these experiences, give yourself permission to grieve, and find a way forward that honors what you've lost and who you're becoming.
Some Losses Don't Come With a Funeral
There are many experiences of grief that are hard to name or explain. When your loss isn’t marked by a definitive end, or when it’s not recognized by others, it’s hard to make sense of your feelings.
Here are some definitions of grief that may help you put words to what you’re going through.
Anticipatory grief
Anticipatory grief is the grief you experience when someone you love is seriously ill or nearing the end of their life. You might find yourself mourning the person you're losing while they're still here.
Ambiguous loss
Ambiguous loss happens when there is no clear ending. It’s commonly experienced with chronic illnesses, when a relationship changes through estrangement, or a loved one has dementia. You find yourself grieving the plans you can’t make, the body you used to trust, or the future you used to imagine.
Caregiver burnout
You may feel physically and emotionally drained from trying to balance caregiving with work and family responsibilities.
You might even feel guilty for wanting the situation to end while also wanting more time with that person. These conflicting feelings are often difficult to talk about.
Disenfranchised grief
Disenfranchised grief is what you experience when you feel you aren't "allowed" to grieve or when you don’t get recognition or support from others.
You Don't Need Anyone Else's Permission to Grieve
Whether your loss was recent or years ago, you don't have to justify your feelings or follow anyone else's timeline for healing. Grief doesn’t follow a schedule. There’s no “getting over it”.
Grief can show up in the quiet right before you fall asleep, in a song, in an empty chair at the table, or in an "on this day" memory flashing on your phone. Whether it’s been one month or twenty years, your grief is allowed to be non-linear.
In therapy, you'll have space to explore what you've lost, how it's changed your life, and the feelings you may not feel comfortable sharing elsewhere. There's no pressure to find a silver lining or pretend you're feeling better before you're ready.
Most importantly, moving forward doesn't mean putting aside what you’ve lost. It's about finding a way to live with that loss while making room for whatever comes next.
What to Expect From Grief Therapy
Grief is personal, and there's no single right way to work through it. If you're unsure whether grief therapy is right for you, I offer complimentary consultations. It's an opportunity to share a little about what you're going through, ask questions, and see whether you feel we’re a good fit.
I offer in-person therapy in Leesburg, VA, and online therapy, so you can access support in a way that works for you. Whether you prefer meeting face-to-face or connecting from the comfort of your own home, we can discuss the option that best fits your circumstances.