Grief Therapy for Children & Teens
Supporting Your Child Through the Journey of Loss
Children and teens experience grief differently than adults, often processing loss in bursts, through play, or with unexpected questions and reactions that can be challenging for parents to navigate. As both a therapist and mother of three San Francisco teenagers, I understand the profound impact loss can have on a young person's sense of security, identity, and emotional development.
Grief therapy provides a safe space for children and teens to express their feelings about loss, make meaning of their experience, and develop healthy coping skills while honoring their connection to what has been lost. Whether your child is grieving the death of a loved one, a parental divorce, relocation, loss of a pet, or another significant life change, specialized therapeutic support can help them process their grief in age-appropriate ways.
Does your child need a guide to their grief? Book a free 15-minute consultation to discuss how we can work together to foster healing and resilience during this challenging time.
Understanding Children's Grief Responses
Children's grief often looks different from adult grief:
Intermittent grief: Moving in and out of grief, sometimes appearing fine while playing or at school
Developmental processing: Revisiting and reprocessing grief at new developmental stages
Physical expressions: Stomachaches, headaches, sleep problems
Behavioral changes: Regression, aggression, withdrawal, or clingy behavior
Existential questions: New concerns about death, safety, or abandonment
Secondary losses: Adjusting to changes in routines, financial circumstances, or family dynamics
Grief may also trigger or exacerbate other challenges like anxiety, depression, changes in peer relationships, or academic difficulties.
My Approach to Grief Therapy
My therapeutic approach for grieving children and teens combines several evidence-based methods:
Narrative techniques: Creating stories and rituals that honor what has been lost
Expressive therapies: Using art, play, and creative activities to process complex emotions
Psychoeducation: Helping children understand grief reactions and normalize their experiences
Memory preservation: Creating meaningful ways to maintain connections
Family systems work: Supporting parents in facilitating family grief conversations
Meaning-making: Helping children integrate loss experiences into their life narrative
As both a therapist and mother, I bring professional expertise and gentle compassion to our work together. I understand the unique challenges San Francisco families face when navigating grief alongside busy urban lives, diverse cultural practices around loss, and the pressure to "move on" quickly.
Signs Your Child May Benefit from Grief Therapy
Consider reaching out if your child:
Shows significant changes in behavior, sleep, or academic performance
Expresses persistent worry about other losses or separations
Has difficulty talking about or acknowledging the loss
Shows prolonged denial or seems "stuck" in grief
Demonstrates risk-taking behaviors or self-destructive tendencies
Experiences intense guilt or magical thinking about the loss
Has grief responses that interfere with daily functioning
Faces a particularly complex or traumatic loss
Supporting Parents of Grieving Children
Parents play a crucial role in helping children navigate grief. Through our work together, I'll help you:
Understand your child's developmental approach to grief
Find age-appropriate ways to discuss loss
Create meaningful rituals and remembrances
Address difficult questions about death or loss
Balance honoring grief with moving forward
Care for yourself while supporting your grieving child
For parents seeking additional guidance, I also offer specialized parent coaching sessions focused on supporting children through grief.
Begin Your Child's Journey to Healing
While grief is a natural response to loss, the right support can make a profound difference in how children integrate this experience into their lives. As both a therapist and mother of three teenagers here in San Francisco, I bring professional knowledge and heartfelt compassion to our therapeutic relationship.
Contact me today for a free 15-minute consultation to discuss how we can work together to help your child navigate the grief journey with resilience and hope.
