Image of a therapist and client in a counseling session.

2,618 people sought grief & loss counseling help at Richmond in the last year

Discover how starting therapy with a grief & loss counseling can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.

Meet with a provider as soon as this week

Good news! We have 49 therapists in Virginia available for an online or in-person session.
Alexandra Cromer

Hear from Alexandra Cromer, Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

View Alexandra Cromer's profile

What is your go-to approach for grief & loss counseling?

My approach to grief & loss counseling is to meet clients where they are in their grief process, offering support and normalizing their experiences. I utilize emotion-focused and mindfulness strategies to help clients connect with and identify their emotions, fostering self-efficacy and healthy emotional management.

What tools do you teach in grief & loss counseling?

In grief & loss counseling, I teach:

  • Mindfulness training to help clients stay present, promoting healthy emotion recognition and resilience.
  • Psychoeducation to provide context and understanding about grief and the brain, enhancing insight into their thoughts and behaviors.
  • Cognitive challenging/reframing to identify and modify negative automatic thoughts that hinder healing.
  • Behavior activation, creating schedules based on personal values to translate into daily activities, facilitating engagement in meaningful routines.

How do you know when a client is making meaningful progress in grief & loss counseling?

Clients make meaningful progress when they report a decrease in the frequency and intensity of distressing symptoms and demonstrate an improved ability to identify and process emotions healthily. Visible comfort in utilizing coping skills and engaging in value-congruent activities with minimal prompting also signifies advancement.

What can clients do in their personal time to supplement grief & loss counseling?

To supplement grief & loss counseling, clients are encouraged to participate in nourishing activities, avoid isolation, join grief support groups, and maintain engagement with their social support system. Regular involvement in hobbies and activities aligned with personal values can significantly aid therapy progress.

What should someone do to prepare for starting grief & loss counseling?

Preparing for the first grief & loss counseling session involves ensuring adequate sleep and nutrition and allowing time to decompress before and after the session due to the emotional intensity of processing grief. It’s important to remember that it’s okay to pace yourself and share your grief at a comfortable rate, with a therapist who respects your pace.

Starting Grief & loss counseling

What type of counseling is needed when a person cannot get over the grief of losing a loved one?

Grief and loss counseling helps people grieve difficult losses including the death of a loved one, the loss of a job, or the end of a relationship. It helps people navigate their grief process and eventually accept, understand, and move forward from their loss. Thriveworks grief therapists in Richmond, VA have specific experience, training, and skills that enable them to best support grieving individuals.

How does grief and loss counseling work?

Grief and loss counseling isn’t one-size-fits-all, but it involves sharing about your loss and then working with your counselor to acknowledge and accept your new reality in its wake. Your provider at Thriveworks in Richmond, VA will design your treatment plan around your unique needs and goals for therapy, applying the counseling techniques that best support them.

Signs I should seek grief counseling

If you have recently experienced an event like the death of a loved one, a breakup or divorce, the loss of a job, or another major life change, then you may want to seek grief and loss counseling. Grief can be caused by many experiences and events, so if you feel that you are having trouble moving on from a certain event or find that it is still impacting your life and functioning, grief and loss counseling can help you process it more effectively so that you can move on and once again find fulfillment and satisfaction in your life.

What counseling theory is best for grief?

There are many counseling theories for treating grief, one of the most frequently used being the dual process model of grief which helps people acknowledge who or what they’ve lost through rumination while also adjusting to the new roles and identities that this loss has now placed on them. There are also many commonly used therapy approaches used in grief and loss counseling, including Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and traumatic grief therapy.

Is grief counseling conducted in person or online?

Grief & loss counseling at Thriveworks is conducted both in person and online by video. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you.

How long does grief counseling last?

For many, grief and loss counseling lasts for about 6 months. For others, it may last shorter or longer, depending on the severity of their loss and their grief.

Need more help deciding?

Grief Counseling in Richmond, VA (Shockoe Bottom)—Grief Counselors, Therapists

If you are grieving the loss of a loved one, consider working with a grief counselor at Thriveworks Richmond, VA (Shockoe Bottom). These providers are some of the best in the business, as they have proven themselves with their impressive skillset and experience in helping people just like you.

You can schedule an appointment today by calling (804) 980-7242.

What Thoughts and Behaviors Come with Grief?

. You might be familiar with the popularized stages of grief (denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance), but there are two main styles of grieving that better demonstrate the different responses:

  1. Instrumental Grieving: This type of grieving involves subduing emotions or controlling the way one expresses their emotions.
  2. Intuitive Grieving: This type of grieving, on the other hand, involves opening up about one’s feelings and exploring their loss.

Neither of these two responses are right or wrong. Some people are simply more emotional, while others would rather distract themselves from their loss emotions and their loss. And everyone has different needs when it comes to processing and accepting their loss.

How Does Grief Counseling Help?

The grief counselors at Thriveworks Richmond, VA (Shockoe Bottom) understand that every individual’s experience with grief is different. While some people are overwhelmed with sadness, others feel angry or even relieved, instead. Your grief counselor can help you process and work through whatever range of emotions come your way. They can also help you move forward in your life without the loved one lost. This is often a big obstacle for many people when they lose a close friend or family member.

Here at Thriveworks Richmond, our grief counselors will also consider your religion and your culture in terms of how that might affect your grieving process. They will keep these important factors in mind as they assess your reaction to your loss and the impact it has on you. The ultimate mission is to help you cope with your loss and move forward with a happy, healthy life.

Work with a Grief Counselor at Thriveworks Richmond, VA (Shockoe Bottom)

Call (804) 980-7242 today to schedule your grief counseling appointment, or go online to get started. We have flexible appointments available, including extended hours in the evenings and on the weekends, to best ensure that you can find a day and time that works for you! We also accept most major insurance plans. Reach out today—we look forward to it.

Pricing & insurance

Our therapists accept most major insurances. We accept 585+ insurance plans, and offer self-pay options, too.
Learn more about pricing for therapy and counseling services at Thriveworks.

Our Richmond therapists and counselors accept 29 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia Medicare Advantage

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | BCBS HMO

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | BCBS PPO

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | Exchange

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • CareFirst Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia | BCBS PPO

  • Carelon

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth EAP

  • Cigna | Evernorth Medicare Advantage

  • Compsych

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Self-pay costs at Richmond
Talk therapy

Talk therapy

Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Talk therapy

Psychiatry

Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Hear from our clients

5.0 Learn about verified reviews
★★★★★
I had reached out to several therapists to find one that would fit. My therapist Noel, reached out and explained on what methods she uses to help with certain issues. She is a great fit for me and I am looking forward with working with her.
Read more I had reached out to several therapists to find one that would fit. My therapist Noel, reached out and explained on what methods she uses to help with certain issues. She is a great fit for me and I am looking forward with working with her.
Lynn Feb 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
She is absolutely the best and she makes my life so much better thank you very much!
Robert Jan 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Ms Gooden is an excellent clinician, always very helpful and punctual. The office staff are always helpful and professional. I will recommend them to my family and friends
Read more Ms Gooden is an excellent clinician, always very helpful and punctual. The office staff are always helpful and professional. I will recommend them to my family and friends
Maria Jan 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
My husband and I are very pleased with our therapist, and she's not only Christian, but she is also knowledgeable, honest, direct, and committed to assist us in any way she possible can. She's introduced us to written and verbal exercises that have helped us better understand each other and ourselves. I whole Heartly recommend her and Thrivesworks.
Read more My husband and I are very pleased with our therapist, and she's not only Christian, but she is also knowledgeable, honest, direct, and committed to assist us in any way she possible can. She's introduced us to written and verbal exercises that have helped us better understand each other and ourselves. I whole Heartly recommend her and Thrivesworks.
Maria Dec 2023
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Natalie is an incredibly compassionate therapist who really takes the time and effort to help you towards healing and recovery. The help and guidance that she has provided for me has changed my life. She is truly great at what she does.
Read more Natalie is an incredibly compassionate therapist who really takes the time and effort to help you towards healing and recovery. The help and guidance that she has provided for me has changed my life. She is truly great at what she does.
Richmond Feb 2022
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Natalie makes me feel comfortable and is easy to talk to. She has helped me work through multiple triggers and highly recommend her if you need a trustworthy therapist.
Read more Natalie makes me feel comfortable and is easy to talk to. She has helped me work through multiple triggers and highly recommend her if you need a trustworthy therapist.
Richmond Feb 2022
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Ms. Shamika Pender has a great love for people and is full of knowledge and wisdom. She has assisted me on many occasions with locating resources for church and family members in need. She is a strong advocate for the community.
Read more Ms. Shamika Pender has a great love for people and is full of knowledge and wisdom. She has assisted me on many occasions with locating resources for church and family members in need. She is a strong advocate for the community.
Richmond Sep 2021
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Shamika Pender is an experienced Clinician who administers services with empathy and professionalism. There is no doubt that she will be an incredible asset to your agency.
Read more Shamika Pender is an experienced Clinician who administers services with empathy and professionalism. There is no doubt that she will be an incredible asset to your agency.
Richmond Sep 2021
Review left on Thriveworks.com

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Richmond is conveniently located in Shockoe Bottom at the intersection of N. 19th St. and E. Franklin. We share a building with The Superior Production Exchange and Uni Shippers. Across from us, on the other side of E. Franklin is Shockoe Center.

Phone number

(804) 331-2570

Languages spoken by VA providers

  • English
  • Spanish
  • Creole
Friday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Saturday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Sunday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Monday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Tuesday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Wednesday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Thursday 8:00am - 9:00pm

Shown in ET

Friday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Saturday 7:00am - 6:00pm
Sunday 8:00am - 5:00pm
Monday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Tuesday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Wednesday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Thursday 7:00am - 9:30pm

Shown in ET

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