Grief Counseling in Michigan | Counseling & Therapy

Grief Counseling in Michigan can help when loss feels too heavy to carry alone. Grief counseling is a kind of talk therapy that supports you after a death, breakup, miscarriage, job loss, or other big change. Many people worry, “Am I grieving the right way?” or “Why do I feel stuck?” You do not have to wait until you “hit bottom” to get help.

Grief can affect your mind, body, and daily life. You might feel sadness, anger, numbness, guilt, or even relief—sometimes all in one day. Counseling gives you a safe place to talk, learn coping skills, and find steady ground again. Support is available for adults, teens, caregivers, and families.

Signs You Might Benefit from Grief Counseling

Grief looks different for everyone. There is no “normal timeline.” Still, some signs can mean extra support would help.

• Big mood changes like sadness, irritability, panic, or feeling “shut down.”
• Trouble sleeping, nightmares, or waking up feeling exhausted.
• Changes in appetite or low energy most days.
• Hard time functioning at work, school, or at home.
• Pulling away from friends, family, and activities you used to enjoy.
• Strong guilt or shame, “what if” thoughts, or blaming yourself.
• Feeling stuck in intense grief for a long time, or feeling numb for weeks.
• Using alcohol or drugs more than usual to cope.
• Trauma symptoms after a sudden or violent loss (flashbacks, fear, or feeling on edge).
• Thoughts of self-harm or thinking life is not worth living (this needs urgent support).

How counseling can help

• Make space for your feelings without judgment.
• Reduce overwhelm and help you feel more in control.
• Build coping skills for hard days, anniversaries, and triggers.
• Support healthy connection with others, even if you want to be alone.
• Help you adjust to life changes while still honoring what (or who) you lost.

The American Psychological Association notes that grief can impact emotions, thoughts, behaviors, and physical health, and that support can help people adapt over time (American Psychological Association, n.d.).

Evidence-Based Approach

Good grief therapy does not try to erase love or “fix” your loss. Instead, it helps you carry the loss in a way that allows life to keep moving. We use evidence-based, research-supported methods and adjust the plan to your needs, culture, and beliefs.

Common clinical approaches we may use

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helps you notice painful thought patterns (like self-blame) and practice more helpful ways of thinking and coping.
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Builds skills for making room for grief while taking small steps toward what matters to you.
• Complicated Grief Treatment / Prolonged Grief Therapy-informed care: Helpful when grief stays intense and stuck for a long time, and daily functioning is greatly affected. NIH-supported research has shown targeted therapy can reduce symptoms in prolonged or complicated grief (National Institutes of Health, n.d.).
• Trauma-informed therapy (including EMDR when appropriate): If the loss was sudden, scary, or traumatic, we may focus on safety, grounding skills, and trauma processing.
• Family or couples support: Grief can change communication and roles. Sessions can help families grieve in different ways without hurting each other.

Clinical reasoning: how we choose the plan

We start by learning what kind of loss you faced, what support you have, and how grief shows up in your body and life. Then we look for signs of depression, anxiety, trauma, or prolonged grief. If your symptoms fit more than one area, that is common—and we can treat them together. The goal is relief, stability, and a path forward that still respects the bond you had.

Michigan licensing and standards of care

In Michigan, mental health therapy is provided by licensed professionals such as Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs), Licensed Master’s Social Workers (LMSWs), Licensed Psychologists, and Psychiatrists, following state licensing rules and ethical standards. This includes using evidence-based practices, maintaining confidentiality, and making safety plans when needed. If you need a higher level of care, we help connect you to the right services.

What to Expect

Starting therapy can feel scary, especially when you already feel drained. We keep the process simple and supportive.

Your first visit (intake)

• Time: Often 45–60 minutes.
• What we talk about: Your loss, symptoms, sleep, appetite, stress, current supports, and what you hope will change.
• Screening: We may use brief, validated questionnaires for depression, anxiety, trauma, and grief to guide care.
• Safety: If you have thoughts of self-harm, we will talk openly and make a plan to keep you safe.

Ongoing sessions

• Frequency: Many people start weekly, then adjust to every other week as they feel steadier.
• What sessions feel like: Some days you may cry. Other days you may feel numb or calm. All of it is welcome.
• Skills you may learn: Grounding tools, sleep supports, coping plans for triggers, and ways to handle guilt, anger, or regret.
• Meaning and remembrance: If it fits your values, we may include letter writing, memory sharing, rituals, or legacy projects.

Telehealth and in-person options

Many people prefer telehealth during grief because it saves energy and time. Others want in-person support to feel less alone. We will discuss what works best for you and what is available in Michigan.

Insurance, Copays, and Mental Health Parity

Cost should not be a barrier to care. Many insurance plans cover grief counseling when it is medically necessary, such as when grief is linked with depression, anxiety, trauma, or prolonged grief symptoms.

What insurance terms mean

• Copay: A set amount you pay per visit (for example, $20–$50), depending on your plan.
• Deductible: The amount you must pay out of pocket before your plan starts paying more.
• Coinsurance: A percentage you pay after meeting your deductible (for example, 10%–30%).

Mental health parity

Mental health parity laws generally require insurers to cover mental health care in a way that is not more restrictive than medical care. This can include limits on visits, prior authorizations, and cost-sharing. Coverage still varies by plan, so we encourage you to verify benefits.

How we help with coverage questions

• We can provide documentation needed for billing, when appropriate.
• We can discuss self-pay rates if you are out of network or uninsured.
• If your plan does not cover services, we can talk about options and referrals.

FAQ

Is grief counseling only for death?

No. Counseling can help with any major loss, including divorce, infertility, miscarriage, loss of health, loss of a home, job loss, or changes in family roles. Your pain still matters, even if others do not understand it.

How long does grief counseling take?

It depends. Some people want short-term support for a few months. Others need longer care, especially after traumatic loss or when grief becomes prolonged and daily life stays very hard. We will make a plan together and review progress over time.

What if I feel numb or like I “should be over it”?

Numbness can be part of grief, especially after shock or long periods of stress. Feeling pressure to “move on” is common, but it can add shame and isolation. Counseling helps you go at your own pace and builds coping skills for both numb days and heavy days.

When is grief a medical concern?

Get extra help if you cannot function for weeks, if you have persistent severe symptoms, or if you have thoughts of self-harm. If you are in immediate danger, call 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or 911. A licensed Michigan clinician can help assess whether you may also be dealing with depression, trauma, or prolonged grief and what treatment fits best.

References: American Psychological Association. (n.d.). Grief. https://www.apa.org/  |  National Institutes of Health. (n.d.). Complicated/prolonged grief research and treatment information. https://www.nih.gov/