How To Find A Grief Therapist

If you've found yourself on this page reading this blog, you've already done a great job finding a grief therapist. But getting here might have been a long, emotional journey.

Perhaps you've struggled to find a therapist who accepts your insurance, or every one you've contacted has a full schedule. Maybe your current therapist has been supportive in other areas, but something about your grief feels different and more challenging to name. Whatever brought you here, I'm glad you made it. Finding help while grieving can feel impossible, but you deserve support that meets you where you are.

At Attune Therapy Practice, we were built on the belief that every therapist can benefit from understanding how to support people through grief. While our focus is on grief after loss, grief itself takes many forms—divorce, illness, trauma, chronic pain, and even changes in identity or purpose. Grief reshapes our lives in ways that few other experiences do.

Everyone will experience grief at some point, and having a therapist who knows how to sit with it—not fix it, not rush it—can make all the difference. Below are a few steps I often share with people looking for a grief therapist. These can help you find the right fit for your needs and comfort level.

1) Draft Your Inquiry

Begin by drafting an email or script, depending on your preference for phone calls or voicemails. You can include a short description of what's happening in your life, what you're hoping for in therapy, and any preferences you have.

It can help to include:

• Why you're seeking therapy (for example, "I recently experienced a loss and am looking for grief support")

• How you plan to pay (insurance or private pay)

• Whether you prefer in-person or virtual sessions

• Your general availability

• Ask if they're accepting new clients and if they offer a consultation to explore whether it's a good fit. Having this ready makes it easier to reach out to multiple therapists without starting from scratch each time.

2) Check Your Insurance Options

If you're planning to use insurance, call the number on the back of your card or search for the customer care number online. Tell them you're looking for a therapist who specializes in grief and ask if they can provide a list of providers in your state accepting new clients.

Also, ask about your out-of-network benefits. These can sometimes reimburse you for a portion of sessions, even if the therapist doesn't take your insurance directly. If you find someone you really connect with who offers superbills, you might still be able to work together.

3) Explore Online Directories

Directories can make the search easier. Websites such as Psychology Today, Mental Health Match, Inclusive Therapists, and TherapyDen allow you to filter by specialization, fee range, and therapy type.

Platforms like Headway, Alma, and Path also connect you with licensed therapists who may accept your insurance and have open availability. Take time to read profiles carefully—you'll often get a sense of the therapist's personality and approach just from how they describe their work.

Make a short list and reach out with your script.

As you browse directories, jot down the therapists who stand out to you. Aim for five to eight names. Notice the tone of their profile, their training in grief, and how their words make you feel. Save their websites and emails.

Send each therapist a short message using your script from step one. You can copy and paste, then personalize a single line to reflect something you appreciated in their profile.

• Simple email script you can use

Subject: Inquiry for grief therapy

Hello [Therapist Name],

I am seeking grief therapy in [your state]. I recently experienced [one sentence about your loss or reason], and I am looking for support that is gentle and grounded.

My preferences

Payment: [insurance or private pay]. If you are private pay, do you offer superbills for out-of-network benefits?

Format: [virtual or in person]

Availability: [days and general times that work for you]

Are you currently accepting new clients? Do you offer a brief consultation to see if we would be a good fit?

Thank you for your time,

[Your name]

[Your phone number, optional]

• Keep track and follow up

Create a simple note or spreadsheet with the following details: name, email, website, date you reached out, response, and next step. If you have not heard back in three business days, send a brief and kind follow-up. Once you book a consultation, pause your outreach until you complete that call. If it is not a fit, continue down your list.

4) Contact Local Hospice or Bereavement Programs

If you have a hospice center nearby, call and ask for their bereavement department. Many hospices offer free or low-cost grief counseling to anyone in the community, even if you or your loved one were not connected to hospice services.

These programs often include individual sessions or support groups, and some provide specialized groups for children or specific types of loss. Even if you don't participate directly, hospice staff can often refer you to trusted local therapists who specialize in grief.

Finding the Right Fit

Finding the right therapist takes time, especially when you’re already carrying so much. Grief therapy is not about moving on, but about having a space where your pain can exist without judgment. It offers support to help you feel less alone, to process complicated emotions, and to have someone walk beside you as you navigate what this loss means in your life.

You deserve to feel seen, supported, and safe in this process. Whether you work with someone in your community or here at Attune Therapy Practice, I hope you find a space where your grief is honored and your healing can unfold naturally.