Natalie Foster
Licensed Professional Counselor
Grief can come with the loss of a person, but it can also come from the end of a relationship, a major life transition, estrangement, a change in your family, or letting go of a future you once imagined for yourself. Sometimes the hardest losses are the ones other people don't fully understand.
You may feel sadness, anger, guilt, confusion, numbness, relief, or even moments of happiness that leave you wondering if you're grieving “the right way.” You may feel like you're supposed to be moving forward, but part of you isn't ready. Or you may have become so good at functioning and taking care of everything else that you haven't had space to actually process what you've lost.
In therapy, you don't have to rush your grief or fit it into a timeline. We'll create space for whatever you're experiencing and work through the emotions, memories, questions, and changes that come with loss. We'll also explore how your loss has affected your sense of self, your relationships, and the life you're trying to build moving forward.
Healing doesn't mean forgetting, leaving someone or something behind. It means finding a way to honor what mattered while making room for life to continue.
You can grieve what you've lost and still create a meaningful life moving forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of loss can grief therapy help with?
Grief can follow many kinds of loss, not just the death of someone you love. You may be grieving the end of a relationship, a divorce, estrangement from family, a major life transition, a change in your identity, or a future you once imagined for yourself. Sometimes the loss is difficult to explain to others, especially when it involves a relationship that was complicated or a change you didn't choose. Therapy offers space to process what the loss means to you and find a way forward without minimizing what you've experienced.
How do I know if I need therapy for grief?
Grief affects everyone differently, and there is no single timeline for healing. You may feel overwhelmed by sadness, anger, guilt, or confusion, or you may feel numb and find yourself going through the motions of daily life. You might notice that your loss is affecting your relationships, work, or ability to feel present. You don't have to be in crisis or feel stuck to benefit from support. Therapy can give you space to understand your experience and navigate the changes that come with loss.
How long does grief last?
There is no set timeline for grief. The intensity of your feelings may change over time, and certain experiences, anniversaries, or life transitions may bring those feelings back. Healing doesn't mean forgetting what you've lost or reaching a point where you never feel sadness again. It means gradually finding ways to carry the loss while making room for connection, meaning, and life moving forward. Therapy can help you navigate this process at your own pace without pressure to be further along than you are.
Is it normal to feel relief, anger, or guilt after a loss?
Yes. Grief can involve many emotions, sometimes at the same time. You might feel sadness and relief after a difficult relationship ends, anger about circumstances you couldn't control, or guilt about things you said or wish you had done differently. You may even experience moments of happiness and then feel guilty for enjoying yourself. These feelings don't mean you are grieving incorrectly. Therapy can help you make sense of complicated emotions without judging yourself for having them.
Why am I still struggling with a loss when so much time has passed?
Grief doesn't always follow a predictable path. You may have needed to focus on responsibilities immediately after a loss, leaving little time to process what happened. You might have felt pressure to be strong for others or believed you needed to move on. Sometimes a new experience brings up feelings connected to an earlier loss that you haven't fully explored. Therapy can help you understand what's still affecting you and find ways to integrate the loss into your life without feeling defined by it.
Can therapy help with complicated grief or a difficult relationship loss?
Yes. Some losses are especially difficult because the relationship itself was complicated, involved unresolved hurt, or ended without the closure you hoped for. You may be grieving the person while also processing anger, disappointment, or the impact of the relationship on your sense of self. You might also be grieving what you hoped the relationship would become. Therapy can help you work through these conflicting feelings, understand what the relationship meant to you, and move toward a greater sense of clarity and acceptance.
How can grief affect my relationships and sense of self?
Loss can change how you see yourself, your future, and your relationships with others. You may feel disconnected from people who don't understand your experience, struggle to ask for support, or feel uncertain about who you are without the person, role, or future you've lost. Grief can also bring up earlier experiences and patterns around attachment, safety, and belonging. Therapy can help you understand these changes, reconnect with yourself, and navigate relationships as your life evolves.
What types of therapy help with grief and loss?
The best approach depends on your experience and what you need from therapy. My trauma-informed approach may incorporate EMDR, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Post Induction Therapy (PIT), and other therapeutic techniques when appropriate. We may explore the emotions and beliefs connected to your loss, process difficult memories, or work through earlier experiences that are being stirred up by your grief. Our work will be collaborative and tailored to your needs, with no expectation that you move through grief on a particular timeline.
How long does grief therapy take? Are intensives an option?
The length of therapy depends on your experiences, goals, and the kind of support you're looking for. Some people benefit from ongoing weekly sessions as they adjust to life after a loss, while others want focused support around a particular experience or set of memories. I also offer EMDR intensives, which provide extended time for focused trauma processing outside the traditional weekly therapy format. Intensives may be appropriate when grief is connected to distressing memories or traumatic experiences, but they aren't necessary or the right fit for everyone. We'll discuss your needs and determine what approach makes the most sense for you.
Natalie Foster Therapy
Therapy for adults ready to heal, grow, and create lasting change in Scottsdale, Arizona.