Grief & Loss Counseling in Long Beach & Lakewood, CA
If you’re struggling to get through each day after losing someone you love, if the pain feels unbearable and you don’t know how to move forward, if people keep telling you “time heals” but you’re not sure you believe them—your grief deserves space, time, and support.
Grief is one of the most profound human experiences. Whether you’re mourning the death of a loved one, the end of a relationship, a job loss, or another significant life change, the pain of loss deserves to be honored and supported.
At Hygieia Behavioral Health Foundation, our therapists provide compassionate grief counseling for individuals and families throughout Long Beach, Lakewood, and California. Under the clinical direction of Dr. Sade Thompson, Doctor of Psychology and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, we understand that grief doesn’t follow a timeline or a rulebook—and we honor wherever you are in your process. We offer in-person sessions at our Long Beach and Lakewood offices, and virtual counseling throughout California.
Understanding Grief and Loss
Grief isn’t just about death. Any significant loss can trigger a grief response:
- Types of Loss:
- Death of a loved one (sudden, expected, or traumatic)
- End of a relationship or divorce
- Job loss or career change
- Miscarriage, stillbirth, or infertility
- Loss of health or physical ability
- Death of a beloved pet
- Moving away from home or community
- Loss of identity or life role (retirement, empty nest)
- Estrangement from family members
- Collective grief (community loss, tragedy, social injustice)
- How Grief Shows Up:
- Intense sadness or uncontrollable crying
- Tightness in youIntense sadness or uncontrollable cryingr chest or trouble taking deep breaths
- Guilt (“I should have…” or “If only I had…”)
- Anxiety about the future or fear of more loss
- Numbness or feeling disconnected from reality
- Physical symptoms (fatigue, appetite changes, sleep problems, body aches)
- Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
- Questioning beliefs, faith, or purpose
- Feeling stuck or unable to move forward
Grief is not linear. You might feel better one day and completely overwhelmed the next. You might laugh at something funny and then feel guilty for experiencing joy. This is normal. Grief doesn’t progress in neat stages—it comes in waves.
How Grief Counseling Helps
Grief counseling provides a safe space to process loss at your own pace. Through therapy, you can:
✓ Express difficult emotions - Give voice to pain, anger, guilt, and confusion without judgment
✓ Honor your loss - Find meaningful ways to remember and integrate your loss into your life story
✓ Navigate complicated grief - Get support when grief feels overwhelming, stuck, or interfering with daily functioning
✓ Process trauma - Address traumatic aspects of sudden, violent, or unexpected loss
✓ Adjust to life changes - Find ways to move forward while carrying your grief with you
✓ Maintain connections - Learn how to honor the past while building a future
✓ Find support - You don’t have to grieve alone in isolation
Grief counseling doesn’t make the pain disappear, but it helps you carry it in a way that allows for healing and growth.
Our Approach to Grief Counseling
Compassionate Presence
We don’t rush your grief or tell you how you “should” feel. Our therapists create space for you to feel whatever you’re feeling—whether that’s deep sadness, anger, guilt, relief, or a mixture of emotions. There’s no “right” way to grieve, and we honor your unique process.
Grief-Informed Care
We understand the common experiences of grief, but we also know that everyone’s journey is unique. We tailor our approach to your specific loss, your cultural background, your relationship with what or who you lost, and what you need most right now.
Narrative Therapy
Telling your story—about the person, relationship, or life you lost—can be a powerful part of healing. We help you honor and preserve meaningful memories while also making space for the pain.
Meaning-Making
Over time, many people find ways to create meaning from loss—whether through advocacy, creativity, spirituality, service, or other paths. We support you in discovering what that means for you, without pressure or timelines.
Culturally Responsive Support
Different cultures have different grief traditions, expressions, and timelines. We honor your cultural background and beliefs in how you process and express grief, and we understand how systemic oppression and historical trauma can complicate the grief process.
Insurance & Accessibility
We Accept Most Major Insurance Plans
Grief counseling in Long Beach, Lakewood, and throughout California:
- Aetna
- Anthem Blue Cross & Anthem L.A. Care
- Blue Shield of California & Blue Shield Promise Plan
- Carelon
- L.A. Care (Medi-Cal, Commercial, Medicare)
- United Health Care / Optum
- Tricare West
What to Expect in Grief Counseling
Locations & Virtual Services
Lakewood Office
5150 Candlewood Street, Ste. 18J Lakewood, CA 90712
Long Beach Office (Bixby Knolls)
3811 Long Beach Blvd, Ste. C Long Beach, CA 90807
Serving Long Beach, Lakewood, Signal Hill, Bellflower, Paramount, Downey, and surrounding communities.
Virtual Therapy Throughout California: We offer secure online therapy sessions for clients anywhere in California.
When to Seek Grief Counseling
Consider therapy if: - You feel stuck in grief and unable to function in daily life - It’s been months or years and grief feels as intense as day one (complicated grief) - You’re experiencing intrusive thoughts, intense longing, or difficulty accepting the loss - Grief is affecting your physical health or ability to care for yourself - You’re turning to substances to cope with the pain - You’re experiencing thoughts of suicide or wanting to join the person who died - You have no support system to process your loss with - You’re grieving multiple losses at once (cumulative grief) - The loss was traumatic (sudden death, violence, suicide, witnessed death) - You’re grieving a loss others don’t understand or validate
It’s okay to ask for help. Seeking support isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s an act of courage and self-care.
Special Types of Grief We Support
- Sudden or Traumatic Loss
When death is unexpected, violent, or witnessed, grief can be compounded by trauma. We provide trauma-informed support for processing shock, guilt, and complicated emotions that arise from traumatic loss.
- Anticipatory Grief
Grieving before a loss occurs—such as when a loved one has a terminal illness—brings its own unique challenges. We help you navigate this emotionally complex landscape of saying goodbye while someone is still alive.
- Disenfranchised Grief
Some losses aren’t acknowledged or validated by society—ex-partners, estranged family members, job loss, miscarriage, pet loss. We validate all grief, including losses others may not understand or recognize as significant.
- Collective Grief
Community tragedies, pandemics, natural disasters, and social injustice can trigger collective grief. We help you process loss within its broader social and cultural context.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should I wait before starting grief counseling?
There’s no “right” time. Some people benefit from support immediately after a loss to help process initial shock and pain, while others seek therapy months or years later when they realize they’re stuck. Whenever you’re ready is the right time.
Will therapy make me forget my loved one?
No. Grief therapy doesn’t make you forget or “get over” your loved one. Instead, it helps you integrate the loss into your life in a way that honors your loved one while allowing you to move forward. Many people find therapy helps them feel closer to who or what they lost, not further away.
What if I can’t stop crying during sessions?
That’s completely okay. Tears are a natural part of grief, and our therapists create space for all emotions. You won’t be rushed, judged, or handed tissues to make your crying stop. Crying is a healthy release.
How is grief counseling different from regular therapy?
Grief counseling specifically focuses on helping you process loss and adjust to life after loss. While general therapy addresses various mental health concerns, grief counseling centers your specific experience of grief and the unique challenges it brings.
Do you offer grief support for children?
Yes. Children grieve differently than adults, and we use age-appropriate approaches to help kids understand and process loss in a healthy way. Play therapy, art therapy, and other developmentally appropriate methods help children express what they might not have words for.
What if my grief is complicated by other issues (guilt, trauma, family conflict)?
Grief is often intertwined with other emotions and challenges. Our therapists are trained to address complicated grief and the multiple layers that loss can bring, including guilt, trauma, unresolved conflicts, and family dynamics.
Can I do grief counseling online if I’m not able to come to the office?
Yes. We offer virtual grief counseling throughout California. Many people find the privacy and comfort of their own home helpful when processing intense emotions.
You Don’t Have to Grieve Alone
Loss changes us, but with support, you can find your way through grief while honoring what you’ve lost. Our therapists in Long Beach, Lakewood, and throughout California are here to walk alongside you.