Grief Counseling

in Aurora, Oswego, and Crest Hill IL

Are You Wondering How To Move Forward After A Loss?

A woman looking up and a bit sad

  • Has losing someone you love turned your world upside down and made you unsure about where to go from here?

  • Are you upset over the loss of a job, a relationship, or a career that meant a lot to you?

  • Do you wish you had someone at your side to help you make sense of your grief?

Losing someone near and dear to you is one of the hardest things anyone can go through. Whether it was a close friend, a partner, a family member, or even a beloved pet, their loss can leave a deep emptiness you don’t know how to fill. 

Sometimes, there might be days when life without them just feels “too much.” You might be more emotional than usual or just don’t feel like yourself. Since they were such a big part of your life, it’s hard to know who you are without them.

But maybe it’s not the loss of a person that’s left you grieving. Major changes in relationships or your job can also shake you up and make you question where your life is headed—perhaps even causing you to wonder if looking into therapy for grief could help in these situations.

Grief Can Feel Lonely—Especially As Time Goes On

At first, you may have been surrounded by people offering support—checking in, dropping off meals, or sending kind words your way. But as time passed, those gestures probably started to fade. Life went back to normal for them, even if it didn’t for you.

That’s often when grief starts to feel really lonely—when you’re left to sit with it on your own.

But you don’t have to go through this alone. Our grief therapists are here for you, to give you a safe place to share your feelings and begin to heal. It’s not about "getting over” your loss—it’s about finding a way to move forward at your own pace while honoring what (or who) mattered most to you.

It Can Feel Like We’re Never Really Given Time To Grieve

Our culture doesn’t give grief the space it deserves. We’re often expected to take a little time off, maybe a week or two, and then get back to work like everything’s okay.

It can feel like society puts a time limit on grief. There’s even a name for when it lasts “too long”—prolonged grief disorder. But the truth is, when you’ve lost someone you deeply love, it makes sense that the pain stays with you. Mourning isn’t something to fix—it’s a reflection of just how much that person meant to you.  

A lot of people dealing with prolonged grief feel like they have to go through it alone. That’s why having continued support can make such a big difference. Grief doesn’t just magically heal after a few weeks—it leaves a mark. True healing takes time, care, and the right kind of support. 

Everyone Grieves In Their Own Way

Most people have heard of the five stages of grief—denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. But in real life, grief isn’t that simple. It doesn’t move in a straight line. Some days you might feel okay, even comforted by good memories. Then out of nowhere, a wave of sadness can hit you all over again. Grief can be confusing and full of ups and downs—and that’s completely normal.

The truth is, everyone grieves in their own time and their own way. Working with a grief counselor who understands that—a person who won’t rush you or judge your process—can be really comforting. It can help you let go of the pressure to grieve a certain way and just focus on what you need. 

Grief Counseling Can Help You Find A Sense Of Peace

Maybe you don’t have anyone in your life you can truly open up to—especially when the tears come. Therapy can allow you to express your grief, whatever you’re feeling, without needing to hold anything back or worry about being judged. 

Grief doesn’t follow a straight line, and we would never tell you how to mourn someone you’ve lost. What we offer is a space where you can show up just as you are—without pressure to hold it together or hide how you're feeling. In our work together, we invite you to let your grief unfold naturally, rather than pushing it down or pretending it’s not there. That’s how real, lasting healing begins.

Over the years, we’ve walked alongside many people as they’ve worked through their loss—whether that meant saying goodbye to a loved one, a pet, a relationship, a job, or even a way of life. We’re here to offer that same support to you. Through counseling, it’s possible to make space for your grief, feel less overwhelmed by painful memories, and begin shaping a life that continues to hold the love and meaning you’ve carried all along. 

What To Expect In Grief Therapy Sessions

Since grief looks different for everyone, therapy is always tailored to you. In the beginning, we’ll focus on helping you build tools for coping—simple, grounding practices you can turn to when you feel overwhelmed. These strategies are personalized to fit your life and your strengths, so you have something steady to lean on as you move through the ups and downs of grief. 

When you have these supports in place, we’ll gently begin the deeper work of exploring your loss together. For many people, the loss of a loved one is very traumatizing, and that’s why it’s important to us to help you process what you’ve been through and begin healing the emotional wounds left behind. 

But therapy for grief isn’t just about the pain—it can also be a space for reflection, meaning, and even moments of peace. Our goal is to help you find small pockets of joy and explore meaningful ways to honor your loved one’s memory, whether that’s through rituals, creative practices, or new routines that bring comfort.

Though your loved one may be gone, the bond you shared remains. In our work together, we’ll support you in moving forward—not by forgetting, but by carrying their love with you as you begin to reimagine life with them still in your heart.

But You May Still Have Questions About Grief Counseling…

What if I’m too overwhelmed to talk about my loss?

We completely understand how hard your healing journey is. That’s why we’ll never rush you or push you to share anything before you’re ready. If talking feels like too much at first, that’s okay—we can start with grounding strategies and gentle support to help you feel more stable. Over time, and at your own pace, a compassionate therapist can help you work through your grief in a way that feels safe, manageable, and supported.

What if my loss happened a long time ago?

Grief doesn’t always show up when we expect it to. For some, the heaviest waves don’t come right away—they come months or even years later. Maybe life kept you too busy to fully grieve at the time it happened, or maybe you tucked the pain away just to get through. Then one day, something stirs it all back up. No matter how much time has passed, it’s never too late to seek out therapy so you can keep your grief from lingering and maybe show up again later.

Won’t moving forward mean I’m dishonoring my loved one?

We don’t believe you have to “get over” or “move on” from a meaningful loss—because the truth is, you can’t. When someone has shaped your life in such a deep way, their absence isn’t something you just move past. As human beings, we’re wired for connection, and grief is part of how we continue that bond. In therapy, our focus isn’t on letting go—it’s on helping you move forward with your loved one still held close. That means creating space for healing while also honoring the lasting imprint they’ve left on your life.

Healing From Grief Is A Journey—We’re Here To Walk It With You

Our counselors are ready to support you through the grieving process and help you find new ways to cope with your loss at your own pace. If you would like to know more about how grief counseling could help you heal, we invite you to contact us.

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