Losses that bring people to therapy
Grief is not only about death. People come to Dr. Lehmann after many kinds of loss:
- The death of a partner, parent, child, friend, or pet
- Pregnancy loss or infertility
- Divorce or the end of a relationship
- Losing a job, a home, or a role that defined you
- A diagnosis that changes the future you expected, for yourself or someone you love
What grief can feel like
Grief affects the whole person. It can bring sadness, numbness, anger, guilt, relief, or all of them in one day. Sleep, appetite, concentration, and energy often change. Waves of grief can arrive unexpectedly, on anniversaries or in ordinary moments.
None of this means you are grieving wrong. It does mean you deserve support, including patience from yourself.
How therapy can help
Therapy does not try to rush grief or make it disappear. It can help you:
- Put words to feelings that are hard to say to family or friends
- Work through guilt, blame, and “what ifs”
- Understand how this loss connects to earlier ones
- Find ways to carry the relationship with the person you lost
- Rebuild routines and relationships at your own pace
When to reach out
Consider support if grief is not easing over time, if you cannot manage day-to-day tasks, if you are relying on alcohol or other substances to cope, or if you are having thoughts of not wanting to live. For those thoughts, call or text 988 any time.
Learn more
Cancer Emotional Support Guide: guides on coping with the emotional impact of a cancer diagnosis; emotional support for cancer caregivers, and related questions.
Grief, Loss, and Life Transitions Guide: guides on grief has no fixed timeline: what support can offer; what is grief counseling, and when might it help, and related questions.
Common questions
How long does grief last?
There is no set timeline. Many people find grief changes shape rather than ending. Therapy can help when it stays overwhelming or gets in the way of living.
Is grief the same as depression?
They overlap but are not the same. Grief tends to come in waves tied to the loss, while depression is more constant. Sometimes both are present, and Dr. Lehmann can help sort that out.