How to Find a Grief Therapist

Coping with the loss of a loved one can be a long and arduous process. Individuals grieve in different ways, and for some grief counseling and therapy offer the additional support they need to cope with the changes a close death has brought to their lives. Yet for a person who is in mourning, finding a qualified professional who will listen may seem like a monumental task. But there is help available for people who are grieving.

Instructions

• 1

  Contact funeral homes in your local area. Some funeral home directors are certified grief counselors, or can refer you to another qualified professional within their network of contacts.

• 2

  Hospice programs often offer grief counseling services in addition to bereavement support. Many have volunteer grief counselors and clergy on staff. Call the Hospice Foundation of America at 1-800-854-3402 or email info@hospice foundation.org. Locate a hospice program near you (see Resources below) and ask for a referral to a competent grief counselor.

• 3

  Your family doctor or local clergy should also be able to give you the names of professionals who provide support to individuals who need help moving through the normal stages of grief.

• 4

  Individuals experiencing an abnormal reaction to death or having difficulty overcoming unresolved grief should be referred to a licensed psychologist who specializes in grief therapy (see Resources below). You may also contact the American Psychological Association at 1-800-964-2000 for assistance locating a practitioner in your area.

• 5

  Interview more than one grief counselor to make certain that you choose someone whose counseling style will meet your needs. Ask each counselor to give you an example of the techniques she uses. Inquire what her philosophy is about death. You might ask her to describe what occurs during a typical counseling session, as well as about her professional credentials. Find out whether she is affiliated with professional organizations such as the American Academy of Bereavement, Association of Death Education and Bereavement or the Hospice Foundation of America.