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Our therapists offer grief & loss counseling in Salem, MA

Get in-person or online care, and cover the majority of the costs with your insurance.

Get in-person or online care, and cover the majority of the costs with your insurance. Scheduling is easy — call our team and they’ll help you find your perfect match.

Find a provider Call (978) 637-8213

All Salem services

Connect with a therapist, psychiatrist or counselor near you

686,000 people sought help with Thriveworks in the last year

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

3  therapist available in  Salem

Salem
Stephen Medina
Stephen Medina He/Him
LMHC

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Stephen Medina

Stephen Medina

LMHC
Aetna, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts | BCBS, Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card), Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts | BCBS Medicare Advantage (HMO | PPO), Carelon, Cigna | Evernorth, Compsych, Fallon Health | Medicare Advantage, Firefly Health Plan | Cigna PPO Network, First Health Network, Harvard Pilgrim, Humana Medicare Advantage, JP Farley Corporation, Medicare Massachusetts, Railroad Medicare , Tricare East | Out of Network Provider, Tufts Health Plan, Tufts Health Plan Medicare Advantage, United Healthcare | Optum, Wellsense Health Plan, Magellan, Quest Behavioral Health , United Healthcare | Optum EAP
Behavioral Issues, Coping Skills, Self Esteem, Stress, Anxiety, Grief / Loss, Depression, Trauma / PTSD
Serves ages 18-64

About

Stephen Medina is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) who has 7 years of experience providing care to children, adolescents, and adults struggling with depression, anxiety, trauma, and mood disorders. 

Stephen completed his Bachelor of Science (BS) in Psychology at Bridgewater State University and his Master of Science (MS) in Counseling at Salem State University. He utilizes a variety of approaches to best provide a tailored approach to therapy for his clients. Whether providing and utilizing strength based, cognitive behavioral, or mindfulness techniques, Stephen will provide his clients with a positive and personalized therapy experience.

Stephen would like to work with you, in order to provide assistance in developing your strengths so you can confidently achieve your goals and live the life you deserve.

Education and training

Years in practice
7 years
Graduating Institute
Bridgewater State University
Graduating Degree
Master's in Counseling
Next opening: Wed Jul 30, 11 am View all availability
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Salem
Kenneth Westerfield
Kenneth Westerfield He/Him
LMHC

I am an empathetic and experienced therapist dedicated to helping clients achieve personal growth and emotional well-being...

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Kenneth Westerfield

Kenneth Westerfield

LMHC
Aetna, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts | BCBS, Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card), Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts | BCBS Medicare Advantage (HMO | PPO), Carelon, Carelon | Medicare Advantage, Cigna | Evernorth, Compsych, Fallon Health | Medicare Advantage, Firefly Health Plan | Cigna PPO Network, First Health Network, Harvard Pilgrim, Humana Exchange, Humana HMO/POS, Humana Medicare Advantage, Humana PPO | EPO | HDHP, JP Farley Corporation, Mass General Brigham (Optum), Medicare Massachusetts, Multi Plan PHCS, Railroad Medicare , Tricare East | Out of Network Provider, Tufts Health Plan, Tufts Health Plan Medicare Advantage, United Healthcare | Optum, Wellsense Health Plan, Cigna | Evernorth EAP, Quest Behavioral Health , Six Degrees Health, United Healthcare | Optum EAP
Anger, Coping Skills, Men’s Issues, Stress, ADHD, Bipolar Disorder, OCD / Obsessive-Compulsive, Life Transition, Anxiety, Grief / Loss, Depression
Serves ages 65+, 18-64

About

I am an empathetic and experienced therapist dedicated to helping clients achieve personal growth and emotional well-being.

Kenneth Westerfield is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), working with clients in MA, but have a history of experience working as a licensed clinician in NC. 

He is passionate about helping adults address their unique challenges and live more fulfilled lives. Kenneth specializes in depression, anxiety, and major life transitions. Kenneth completed his Master of Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the University of Alabama.

Kenneth utilizes multiple treatment approaches including mindfulness, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing, acceptance and commitment therapy, and solution-focused therapy. Kenneth believes that it is important to form a strong therapeutic relationship through understanding, empathy, and unconditional positive regard.

Kenneth is confident that he would be able to support you on your journey to gain new perspectives and techniques that allow you to cope with whatever you may be struggling with. If you are ready to do the work, schedule an appointment with him today!

Education and training

Years in practice
4 years
Graduating Institute
University of Alabama
Graduating Degree
Masters of Arts Clinical Mental Health Counselor
Next opening: Tue Jul 29, 10 am View all availability
Salem
Timothy Gau
Timothy Gau
LMHC

I use a person-centered, solution-focused, cognitive-behavioral approach for all clients, offering a non-judgmental, caring, and e..

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Book with Timothy
Timothy Gau

Timothy Gau

LMHC
Aetna, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts | BCBS, Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card), Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts | BCBS Medicare Advantage (HMO | PPO), Carelon, Cigna | Evernorth, Compsych, Fallon Health | Medicare Advantage, Firefly Health Plan | Cigna PPO Network, First Health Network, Harvard Pilgrim, Humana Medicare Advantage, JP Farley Corporation, Medicare Massachusetts, Multi Plan PHCS, Railroad Medicare , Tricare East | Out of Network Provider, Tufts Health Plan, Tufts Health Plan Medicare Advantage, United Healthcare | Optum, Wellsense Health Plan, Magellan, Oscar Health, Quest Behavioral Health , United Healthcare | Optum EAP
Anger, Coping Skills, Self Esteem, Stress, ADHD, Addiction, OCD / Obsessive-Compulsive, Life Transition, Relationships, Anxiety, Grief / Loss, Depression
Serves ages 65+, 18-64

About

I use a person-centered, solution-focused, cognitive-behavioral approach for all clients, offering a non-judgmental, caring, and empathic space for you to share your experiences.

Timothy Gau is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in the state of Massachusetts who has 15 years of experience working with teens, adults, and seniors who are seeking support in coping with depression, anxiety, stress, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), OCD, low self-esteem, chronic stress, and more. 

He completed his Bachelor of Science in Social Psychology from the University of Rochester and received his Master of Science in Counseling and Applied Educational Psychology from Northeastern University. Timothy uses a person-centered, solution-focused, cognitive-behavioral approach for all clients, offering a non-judgmental, caring, and empathic space for you to share your experiences.  

He uses humor, warmth, transparency, and compassion to build relationships and is eager to help you on your journey to achieve your therapeutic goals. Timothy is able to create a unique therapeutic relationship with each client with whom he has worked and is ready to collaborate with you on creating strategies for managing life’s challenges.

Education and training

Years in practice
15 years
Graduating Institute
Northeastern University
Graduating Degree
Master's in Counseling and Applied Educational Psychology
Next opening: Wed Jul 30, 10 am View all availability

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Evening and weekend sessions

Award-winning therapy & psychiatry

Common approaches to Grief & loss counseling

Stephen Medina

Hear from Stephen Medina, Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)

View Stephen Medina's profile

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

A go-to approach for helping people in grief and loss counseling is validating the loss and meeting the individual where they are at. The best benefit of this is understanding the loss and being able to process it while understanding the stages of grief.

What tools do you teach in grief & loss counseling?

I teach the following tools in grief and loss counseling:

  • Understanding stages of grief and its complexities
  • Validation and basic empathy
  • Identifying additional supports both natural and clinical
  • Finding meaning
  • Psychoeducation

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

A client is making meaningful progress in grief and loss counseling when they are able to access their social supports and process the difficult emotions associated with the loss.

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

Clients can supplement their time in grief and loss counseling by finding additional support, such as grief support groups, and creating rituals/routines to honor and acknowledge the loss.

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

To prepare for your first online therapy session, you can think about what you wish to accomplish in treatment and setting your goals.

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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 Salem, MA 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 Salem, MA 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.

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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 Salem therapists and counselors accept 23 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts | BCBS Medicare Advantage (HMO | PPO)

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts | BCBS

  • Carelon

  • Carelon | Medicare Advantage

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Compsych

  • Fallon Health | Medicare Advantage

  • Firefly Health Plan | Cigna PPO Network

  • First Health Network

  • Harvard Pilgrim

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Self-pay costs at Salem
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
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★★★★★
Tim is an awesome listener! He remembers conversations that we've had and will bring them up as a gage to of the progress I've made. I would recommend him to anyone who is considering therapy!
Mikelyn Apr 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Flexibility for evening and weekends was really important to me seeking out therapy. The availability alone for Timothy was a positive for keeping him as my provider, in addition to the understanding he has for allowing me to express feelings and opinions at my workplace which is the primary stressor as an educator.
Read more Flexibility for evening and weekends was really important to me seeking out therapy. The availability alone for Timothy was a positive for keeping him as my provider, in addition to the understanding he has for allowing me to express feelings and opinions at my workplace which is the primary stressor as an educator.
Sebastian Apr 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Ken is a great therapist. Made a connection right away and has helped me through a very dark time
Douglas Apr 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Lisa is really thoughtful and has such great information.. She has helped me extremely well although I don't think that sentence is synthetically correct.
Steph Apr 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
I felt heard and that continuing was going to be beneficial to me
Joseph Apr 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
I appreciate the helpful insights/perspective and supportive suggestions, therapeutic tools, compassionate understanding, and honest feedback/coaching that my therapist provides each session, which is helping me to learn to reframe my thoughts/experiences in healthier ways and practice greater self-compassion.
Read more I appreciate the helpful insights/perspective and supportive suggestions, therapeutic tools, compassionate understanding, and honest feedback/coaching that my therapist provides each session, which is helping me to learn to reframe my thoughts/experiences in healthier ways and practice greater self-compassion.
Judy Apr 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
I have had difficulty finding a therapist I clicked with in the past. They were either too afraid of losing clients or they'd promote unhealthy coping mechanisms. This was my first time going to a therapist where it felt like I was working with a professional who knew what he was doing and had the resources and know-how to help. It's been an extremely helpful experience over the last two years- I don't know if I'd be in the place I'm at without it
Read more I have had difficulty finding a therapist I clicked with in the past. They were either too afraid of losing clients or they'd promote unhealthy coping mechanisms. This was my first time going to a therapist where it felt like I was working with a professional who knew what he was doing and had the resources and know-how to help. It's been an extremely helpful experience over the last two years- I don't know if I'd be in the place I'm at without it
Shane Apr 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Lisa is amazing. She takes the time to listen and makes me feel as though I can share anything with her. She knows how to take it in and approach the matter without making me feel less than or worse for sharing. Plus she is extremely knowledgeable. . The only thing I would like to see, and this has nothing to do with Lisa, would be like sick time or something I could build or have for times something would come up and i couldn't make an appointment. I understand this can't be an option for all, but if you have been with the program for a year plus and have weekly meetings that you do make it to, I just feel as though the program should beable to work with you if you show that you are serious about it. That's all. Thank you. -Kevin
Read more Lisa is amazing. She takes the time to listen and makes me feel as though I can share anything with her. She knows how to take it in and approach the matter without making me feel less than or worse for sharing. Plus she is extremely knowledgeable. . The only thing I would like to see, and this has nothing to do with Lisa, would be like sick time or something I could build or have for times something would come up and i couldn't make an appointment. I understand this can't be an option for all, but if you have been with the program for a year plus and have weekly meetings that you do make it to, I just feel as though the program should beable to work with you if you show that you are serious about it. That's all. Thank you. -Kevin
Kevin Apr 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
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Where to find us

Address Show map

70 Washington St Suite 404
Salem, MA 01970

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Salem is located in McIntire Historic District on Washington St. where it intersects with Lynde St. We share a building with MassHire North Shore Career Center - Salem, Koto Grill & Sushi, and other businesses.

Phone number

(978) 637-8213

Languages spoken by MA providers

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

Shown in ET

Tuesday 8:00am - 9:30pm
Wednesday 8:00am - 9:30pm
Thursday 8:00am - 9:30pm
Friday 8:00am - 9:30pm
Saturday 8:00am - 6:00pm
Sunday 8:00am - 6:00pm
Monday 12:01am - 11:59pm

Shown in ET

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Nearby cities where we also offer grief & loss counseling

  • Peabody
  • Beverly
  • Danvers
  • Lynn
  • Saugus
  • Wakefield
  • Melrose
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