Grief Counseling in Tacoma
and in person in Gig Harbor
expert support for the painful losses in life
While grief is a universal, human experience we are never prepared for how it will show up in our lives. When you have experienced the death of an important person in your life, it can feel as if the world has been turned upside down. It feels like the world is continuing on outside the windows while inside it feels like the world has paused, shattered.
Please note:
I have immediate availability to schedule Grief Therapy Intensives & Extended Sessions. Learn more here.
Your grief matters and deserves to take up space.
therapy for grief
Your grief is as unique as your fingerprint. You need grief support that truly “gets” it and help you understand and navigate your grief.
Over many years I have had the privilege of working with a diverse range of clients, including individuals, couples, and families, as they navigate the profound and often challenging journey of loss.
My approach is informed by a comprehensive background that includes significant time spent in hospital and pediatric & adult hospice settings. In these environments I have provided compassionate care and counseling through periods of both anticipated and traumatic loss. This experience has equipped me with a nuanced understanding of the emotional, psychological, and practical aspects of grief and loss, allowing me to tailor my support to meet the specific needs of each individual or family I work with.
therapy for miscarriage, infant loss and infertility
Many losses go unrecognized and your grief can feel forgotten—and this can feel especially true when navigating the loss of a pregnancy, infant or when someone is struggling with infertility.
As a perinatal mental health therapist and grief specialist, I bring specialized training and experience supporting women and families who have walked this painful road.
Listen in: Podcast Interviews
Still Hopeful: Learning how to Live Forward with Grief with Jen Reisinger, Grief Coach & Licensed Therapist
Grief is the New Normal: Meeting in the Messy Middle with Jen Reisinger, LMHC
Therapy to chart your course towards what life looks like as you navigate painful grief.
Grief counseling involves understanding and exploring your grief, enabling you to feel supported, build coping strategies and begin to determine what your life looks like after loss. Therapy for grief can empower you to learn ways to live with grief in authentic and meaningful ways while recognizing the painful circumstances of loss.
FAQs
What is grief therapy, and how can it help?
Grief therapy provides a safe, structured space to process the impact of loss: emotionally, mentally, physically, and relationally. Instead of trying to “move on,” grief therapy allows you space to learn how to move forward with your grief in a way that feels authentic. In my Tacoma-based therapy practice, I provide traditional 45-minute therapy sessions as well as extended therapy intensives to support your unique grief needs. I used a variety of supports to help you understand your grief, care for yourself and take steps towards healing. I also utilize evidence-based approaches like EMDR and mindfulness. For parents who have experienced the loss of a child or pregnancy, I am also a trained perinatal mental health specialist, offering a deep wealth of knowledge to support this painful loss while you navigate overwhelming emotions, reduce anxiety, and rebuild a sense of stability and hope.
How do I know if I need grief counseling?
You might benefit from grief counseling if your loss feels too heavy to carry alone, if you feel stuck, or if everyday tasks feel harder than they used to. Many people reach out when they’re overwhelmed by intense emotions, struggling with sleep or concentration, navigating parenting while grieving, or noticing a dip in their relationships. If your grief is impacting your daily life, therapy can help you find clarity and relief.
The reality is that most people need support in grief. This support can come from friends, family and others that care for you. You may also have a strong sense of what you need in your grief experience and find coping supports that feel readily accessible. And even with all of that support, you still may find you want to layer in more support as an act of self care for you. Grief therapy can be just that.
What kinds of grief do you support?
I work with grieving moms and women navigating all types of loss, including:
Pregnancy and infant loss
Miscarriage
Stillbirth
Child loss
Loss of a partner, parent, sibling, or close friend
Anticipatory grief
Complicated or traumatic grief
You don’t need to justify your loss. If it matters to you, it matters in the therapy room.
Do you offer grief therapy in person in Tacoma, WA?
Yes. I offer in-person grief therapy in Gig Harbor, easily accessible for clients located in Tacoma, University Place, Fircrest, and South Puget Sound. My office is a private, calming space designed for deep emotional work. Clients who come from a further distance occasionally schedule Saturday therapy intensives to allow for a more unhurried therapy experience.
Do you provide online grief counseling for people in Washington?
Absolutely. If you live anywhere in Washington State (including Tacoma, Seattle, Olympia, and rural areas) I offer secure, convenient online grief counseling. Virtual therapy is just as effective and can feel especially supportive when navigating the demands of grief and for moms balancing parenting, work, and life.
What is EMDR, and how does it help with grief?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a highly effective therapy approach for processing traumatic or overwhelming parts of grief. Distressing memories, medical trauma, birth trauma, or intrusive thoughts can be reasons to explore EMDR to help your brain reprocess those experiences, allowing them to feel less intense and more manageable. It can also support healing after miscarriage, difficult medical interventions or traumatic losses.
How do I get started with grief therapy in Tacoma, WA?
You can schedule a free consultation to talk through what you’re experiencing and explore whether we’re a good fit. Whether you prefer in-person sessions near Tacoma or online grief counseling anywhere in Washington, we’ll figure out the path that feels right for you.