Best Online Grief Counseling Services in 2024

Jun 24, 2024
Fact Checked
Our Reviews Team consulted mental health experts, mystery shopped over 60 platforms, and held focus groups to review the best online grief counseling services.
Written by: Brooke Helton
Medical Reviewer: Haley Stricker, LPC

Losing a loved one can upend your world, whether it’s a parent, child, relative, a close friend, or a pet. In the wake of such a deep loss, you may want to process your emotions by speaking with a therapist or grief counselor. It’s especially important for older adults to receive the care they need, as those who lose a spouse may face increased risks of death

Going to therapy can be a vulnerable process, and you may prefer to speak with someone from the safety and comfort of your home via online therapy. Recent research suggests that teletherapy may be just as effective for grief counseling as in-person therapy. [1] Zuelke A, et al. Effectiveness and Feasibility of Internet-Based Interventions for Grief After Bereavement: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. JMIR Mental Health. Dec. 8, 2021. Found on the internet at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8  

Our Reviews Team tested dozens of platforms to help you find the best online grief counseling for your needs. Discover our picks below, along with more expert insight on choosing the right provider. 

Best online grief counseling service overall

Our pick for the best overall online grief counseling service is BetterHelp. It offers weekly live sessions with qualified therapists, and subscribers get access to weekly “group sessions.” We appreciate this combination of approaches for grief counseling since it allows you to connect with a therapist one-on-one and with others going through a similar situation. 

Best online grief counseling service overall
9.5
Excellent
BetterHelp
BetterHelp
Costs $280–$400 per month
Unlimited messaging with your provider between sessions
Includes bonus features like group sessions, journaling, and worksheets

Our top online grief counseling platform picks

In case of emergency

Trying to find help during a crisis can be exhausting. In an emergency or crisis situation, it isn’t safe to wait for a therapy appointment. If there is an emergency, including plans to harm yourself or others, call 911. If you are having suicidal thoughts or experiencing a crisis, you should seek in-person and emergency care immediately. You can also call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

You may be experiencing a mental health crisis if you are [2] Wisconsin Department of Health Services. Crisis services: Identifying a crisis. Jan. 2, 2024. Found on the internet at https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/crisis/signs.htm

Compare the best online grief counseling services of 2024

Cost per month* $280–$400 $95–$349 $276–$436 $160–$440 Varies by provider Varies by provider $228–$360
Session format Live video, phone, or chat; unlimited messaging Live video; unlimited messaging Live video, phone, or chat Live video, phone, or chat; unlimited messaging Live video Live video Live video; unlimited messaging
Accepts insurance No Yes Yes No Varies by provider No No
Accepts Medicare or Medicaid No Accepts some Medicare and Medicaid plans No No Varies by provider No No

*Excluding discounts and promotions

Best online grief counseling services of 2024

Best online grief counseling service overall: BetterHelp

Best online grief counseling service overall
9.5 Excellent
9.5 Excellent
Key features
  • Cost: $280–$400 per month
  • Accepts Insurance: No
  • Accepts Medicaid or Medicare: No
  • Session format options: Live video, phone, or chat; unlimited messaging between sessions
Why we chose this platform

BetterHelp earned our top pick for online grief counseling due to its ease of use, therapist matching system, and affordable plan options. We also appreciated the platform’s helpful and varied bonus features, like journaling, worksheets, and group sessions. BetterHelp is available on desktop or a mobile app, which our testers found easy to use.

Pros and cons
Pros Provides access to video, audio, and text chat therapy sessions Offers group therapy sessions Offers financial aid Can use FSA or HSA funds Cons Doesn’t accept insurance, including Medicaid or Medicare Cannot choose your initial provider Takes 24–48 hours to change therapists
Subscriptions offered

Subscriptions range from $70–$100 per week based on your location, preferences, and therapist availability. Your subscription includes a weekly 30–45-minute live session, unlimited messaging with your therapist, and bonus features like worksheets and group therapy sessions.

Additional information

When signing up for BetterHelp, you’re prompted to fill out a questionnaire about the criteria you’re looking for in a therapist, such as their gender, credentials, and therapy specialization. If you don’t like your automatic match, you can change therapists anytime, but it can take 24–48 hours to be matched with a new provider.

When seeking grief counseling, it can be a good idea to choose someone who also specializes in trauma because grief and trauma can often go hand-in-hand, explains Jeanie Y. Chang, a licensed family and marriage therapist and certified clinical trauma professional. [3] Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Tips for survivors: Coping with grief after a disaster or traumatic event. Found on the internet at https://store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/sma17-5035.pdf With BetterHelp, you can indicate you’re looking for a provider with experience in trauma during sign-up.

Additionally, we appreciated the access to group sessions, which last for approximately 90 minutes and operate like a support group. During our testing process, we found over 10 different grief and loss support groups available, which included options like “Managing the Loss of a Parent as an Adult” and “Coping with the Death of a Loved One.”

Tester insights

Overall, we had a positive experience with BetterHelp. Our tester liked their automatic therapist match, finding them empathetic and kind. Their therapist initially had a wide availability of appointments between 1 p.m. and 8 p.m., including some on weekends. But, their therapist became less available as the weeks progressed.

We found BetterHelp’s customer service responsive. When our tester discovered their therapist would be unavailable for two weeks, they messaged customer service to ask about extending their subscription. Customer support replied within 24 hours and extended their subscription, no questions asked.

Our tester also found the support groups insightful. They felt that the group therapist did a good job leading the session and encouraging others to discuss their struggles. Our tester liked that this format “offered a different type of session for those interested in options beyond talk therapy.”

Customer Service

You can reach BetterHelp’s customer service through the following options:

During testing, we found that BetterHelp’s customer service team responded to our inquiries within 24 hours.

Payment options

BetterHelp doesn’t accept private insurance or Medicare, though you can submit a claim to your private insurance and you may be able to get reimbursed. Check with your insurance company first. You can pay by credit, debit, PayPal, or Google Pay, with subscriptions billed every four weeks. You can also pay with Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) or Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs.)

Privacy Policy

You can read Betterhelp’s privacy policy here. This policy covers what personal data they collect and how it can be used or shared.

Best online grief counseling service with Medicare: Brightside

Best online grief counseling service with Medicare
9.2 Excellent
9.2 Excellent
Key features
  • Cost: $95–$349 per month
  • Accepts Insurance: Yes
  • Accepts Medicaid or Medicare: Accepts some Medicare Advantage plans and original Medicare in select states; Accepts some Medicaid plans such as Nebraska Total Care
  • Session format options: Live video; unlimited text messaging between appointments
Why we chose this platform

For those who’d prefer to pay for their therapy with Medicare, Brightside can offer a convenient option. Brightside accepts select Medicare plans in many states, such as Wellcare, United Healthcare Medicare Advantage, and Medicare Part B. It also accepts plans from major insurance companies, such as Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, and Allegiance.

Pros and cons
Pros Accepts certain insurance and Medicare plans Has psychiatrists who can prescribe medication Therapy and psychiatry plans available in all 50 states Cons Medicare isn’t accepted in every state Only offers video sessions, no audio or live chat sessions
Subscriptions offered

Brightside offers three subscription tiers:

  • Psychiatry: $95 per month, includes a video evaluation and unlimited messaging
  • Therapy: $299 per month, includes weekly 45-minute video sessions, unlimited messaging between sessions
  • Psychiatry + Therapy: $349 per month, includes all of the features from the previous plans
Additional information

Live therapy sessions with Brightside last 45 minutes and are conducted via Zoom. You can also purchase additional weekly sessions with your therapist for $59 per session. Brightside only offers live video sessions, which may not be ideal for people who feel uncomfortable on camera.

Brightside also offers psychiatry services for people struggling with mental health conditions in addition to grief, such as depression and anxiety. Brightside psychiatrists can prescribe medication after an initial consultation, with access to unlimited messaging to monitor your progress. You can also schedule follow-up appointments for changes to your care plan. They do not specifically treat substance use disorders.

Brightside has a bonus series of 10 self-guided lessons, which include an informational video followed by activities and homework. These lessons are available to all members. You can complete them at your own pace and discuss your responses with your therapist.

Tester insights

Our tester appreciated how easy it was to sign up and create an account, although they wished Brightside had a mobile app.

Our tester didn’t bond with their first therapist during their initial appointment, and the therapist didn’t show up to the second appointment. However, requesting a new therapist via customer support was easy, and our tester was matched with a better fit by the end of the day. Their new therapist had end-of-day appointments, which were convenient for our tester’s schedule.

Booking sessions is straightforward with Brightside, and our tester appreciated that the platform sends a reminder that a session is upcoming.

Customer Service

You can reach Brightside’s customer service via:

Payment options

Brightside accepts many insurance plans, including select Medicare and Medicaid plans. You can see if your plan is accepted when signing up. 

If you pay without insurance, Brightside accepts credit cards, debit cards, HSAs, and FSAs.

Privacy Policy

You can read Brightside’s privacy policy here. This policy covers what personal data they collect and how it can be used or shared.

Best online grief counseling service with insurance: Talkspace

Best online grief counseling service with insurance
8.9 Very Good
8.9 Very Good
Key features
  • Cost: $276–$436 per month for therapy
  • Accepts insurance: Yes
  • Accepts Medicaid or Medicare: No
  • Session format options: Live video, phone, and chat
Why we chose this platform

If the out-of-pocket cost of therapy prevents you from seeking grief counseling, Talkspace accepts many insurance plans, including Aetna, Cigna, Regence, Optum, and Carleon Behavioral Health.

But even without insurance, Talkspace offers affordable therapy tiers starting as low as $69 per week. Its highest-priced tier costs $109 per week out-of-pocket, which could still provide savings over many traditional therapists. Talkspace also accepts Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs).

Pros and cons
Pros Accepts many major insurance plans, such as Cigna, Anthem, Optum, Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Humana Psychiatry plans available Provider profiles all have video introductions Cons Doesn’t accept Medicare or Medicaid Sessions must be made at least 48 hours in advance Customer service wasn’t very responsive
Subscriptions offered

Talkspace offers four different subscription options for therapy:

  • Messaging Therapy: $276 per month, includes unlimited messaging with a therapist five days per week
  • Video + Messaging Therapy: $396 per month, includes weekly video therapy sessions and unlimited messaging with your provider
  • Video + Messaging + Workshops: $436 per month, includes weekly video therapy sessions, unlimited messaging with your provider, and weekly workshops
  • Couples Therapy: $436 per month, includes weekly video therapy sessions and unlimited messaging with your provider

In addition to therapy, Talkspace offers psychiatry services that are session-based:

  • Psychiatry (for first-time clients):
    • Psychiatry initial evaluation and one follow-up session: $435
    • Psychiatry initial evaluation and three follow-up sessions: $725
  • Psychiatry (for clients who have completed an initial session):
    • Three follow-up sessions: $475
    • Six follow-up sessions: $890
    • Nine follow-up sessions: $1,260
Additional information

You must book your Talkspace sessions at least 48 hours before the selected appointment date. In addition to sending texts, you can also send your therapist audio, video, or picture messages inside your private chat room.

The workshop plan includes access to live workshops, which are group classes led by a therapist. The topics for each workshop vary and include options for individuals and couples. As of March 2024, we only noticed one workshop related to grief, “How to Help Your Kid Grieve.”

Talkspace also offers a self-guided app called “Talkspace Go,” which is available for $29.99 per month. It includes access to classes and live workshops, and can be used alone or in addition to a regular subscription.

Tester insights

Our tester found it easy to connect to Talkspace’s live sessions with no connectivity issues from the browser. The audio and video buttons are large and easy to toggle on and off.

Our tester liked the unlimited messaging and used it often. They felt their therapist took more time to reflect on their responses over messaging and appreciated their thoroughness. Our tester preferred text messages over audio.

The workshops our tester attended were just so-so. While our tester found the workshops included plenty of take-home and self-reflection exercises, they didn’t feel the sessions fostered discussion, engagement, and shared experiences among the participants.

Customer Service

You can reach Talkspace customer service through the following options:

During testing, we found that it took a few business days for customer service to respond.

Payment options

Talkspace accepts insurance in-network and EAPs. You can also pay without insurance via credit cards, debit cards, HSAs, or FSAs.

Privacy Policy

You can read Talkspace’s privacy policy here. This policy covers what personal data they collect and how it can be used or shared.

Best affordable online grief counseling service: Online-Therapy.com

Best affordable online grief counseling service
8.5 Very Good
8.5 Very Good
Key features
  • Cost: $160–$440 per month
  • Accepts insurance: No
  • Accepts Medicaid or Medicare: No
  • Session format options: Live video, phone, or chat; unlimited messaging
Why we chose this platform

While Online-Therapy.com doesn’t accept insurance, its therapy services are the most affordable out-of-pocket option on our list. All subscriptions include a 20% discount for the first month.

The standard tier included one live session per week, available via text, audio, or video, and costs $64 per week, including the first-month discount. If you need help paying for your online grief counseling, Online-Therapy.com offers financial aid for veterans or low-income individuals.

Pros and cons
Pros Automatically provides 20% off your first month Offers instant therapist switching Additional features like journaling, yoga videos, and mental health worksheets Cons Doesn’t accept insurance or Medicare Poor scheduling availability in some time zones No mobile app
Subscriptions offered

Online-Therapy.com offers three subscription options for individuals and one couples therapy plan. All plans automatically apply 20% off for the first month.

  • Basic: $160 per month, includes unlimited messaging with a provider
  • Standard: $256 per month, includes unlimited messaging with a provider and one weekly live session
  • Premium: $352 per month, includes unlimited messaging with a provider and two weekly live sessions
  • Couples Therapy: $352 per month, includes unlimited messaging with a provider and one weekly live session
Additional information

When signing up for Online-Therapy.com, you can select your “focus areas,” including grief and loss. The platform automatically matches you with a therapist based on your areas of concern and the therapist’s experience, but you can easily switch providers at any time.

Therapy sessions on Online-Therapy.com are based on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT helps you identify negative thought patterns and learn how to reframe them, allowing you to think about your grief in different ways. [4] Bradley University. 5 counseling strategies for grief and loss. Found on the internet at https://onlinedegrees.bradley.edu/blog/counseling-strategies-for-loss-and-grief/

The platform offers lessons on CBT. Each lesson includes an informational section available via video, audio, or text and a worksheet on which your therapist can offer feedback. You can complete each lesson at your own pace and message your therapist anytime.

Online-Therapy.com provides bonus features like a journal, activity tracker, and yoga tutorials.

Tester insights

Our tester’s first therapist choice wasn’t currently accepting new clients, but switching to a new one was quick and easy. They found their second provider to be kind and welcoming.

Another of our testers had a less positive experience. Their automatically selected therapist only had appointments between 5 a.m. and 6 a.m. PT. They couldn’t find another therapist with experience treating their mental health concerns who was available within their schedule.

Customer service

We had a positive experience with the Online-Therapy.com customer service. When we contacted them for help finding a suitable therapist, we received a response eight minutes later. The platform promises to respond to all emails within 24 hours.

Customer service is only available via email (support@online-therapy.com). The Help Center also has answers to many frequently asked questions.

Payment options

This platform accepts credit cards, debit cards, and PayPal. You can also apply for financial aid at the checkout if you are a student, a veteran, or have low income.

Privacy Policy

You can read Online-Therapy,com’s privacy policy here. This policy covers what personal data they collect and how it can be used or shared.

Best grief counseling for online and in-person: Zocdoc

Best grief counseling service for online and in-person sessions
8.7 Very Good
8.7 Very Good
Key features
  • Cost: Varies by provider and insurance plan
  • Accepts insurance: Varies by provider
  • Accepts Medicaid or Medicare: Varies by provider
  • Session format options: Live video
Why we chose this platform

Grief and trauma can be nuanced, and these subtleties can be hard to detect online. For that reason, Chang suggests that some people may want to choose a provider who can do early sessions in person before switching to teletherapy.

Zocdoc can connect you with local therapists and grief counselors in your area, many of whom may be able to offer telehealth sessions. This allows you to take advantage of both in-person and online grief counseling. What’s more, some providers may accept insurance, including Medicare.

Pros and cons
Pros Some providers accept insurance, including Medicare or Medicaid No booking fees to make an appointment No subscription required Cons Therapist selection is limited to your area Payment options vary by provider Booking an appointment results in multiple confirmation emails from different platforms
Subscriptions offered

Zocdoc doesn’t offer subscriptions; instead, appointments are available via individual practitioners.

Additional information

Zocdoc isn’t a subscription service like other platforms on our list. Instead, it allows you to browse therapists in your area who offer telehealth services. Zocdoc manually approves all practitioners before allowing them to be listed in the search results.

You can book an appointment with practitioners directly via the Zocdoc website or the online app. You can also pay directly with Zocdoc and upload your insurance information by filling out the provided form or taking a photo of your card.

Making an account doesn’t cost any money, and Zocdoc doesn’t charge fees to book with the platform.

Tester insights

Our tester appreciated that Zocdoc allowed them to browse providers in their area before setting up an account and booking an appointment. However, after booking, they received confirmation emails from Zocdoc, the provider’s office, and another third-party therapy platform, which they found confusing.

That said, they appreciated Zocdoc’s prompt customer service. They connected with a real person right away and didn’t need to go through any automated menus when they called.

Customer service

You can contact Zocdoc customer service via the following options:

  • Email: (service@zocdoc.com)
  • Phone: (855-962-3621) available 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET, weekends and holidays
  • Online contact form

Payment options

Your payment options will depend on what your individual provider accepts. You can upload your information directly to the mobile app if your provider accepts private insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid.

Privacy Policy

You can read Zocdoc’s privacy policy here. This policy covers what personal data they collect and how it can be used or shared.

Best as-needed online grief counseling service: Sesame 

Best as-needed online grief counseling service
8.7 Very Good
8.7 Very Good
Key features
  • Cost: Varies by provider
  • Accepts insurance: No
  • Accepts Medicare or Medicaid: No
  • Session format options: Live video
Why we chose this platform

Like Zocdoc, Sesame connects you with local therapists and grief counselors who offer online appointments. You can book single appointments as needed, and you can even book appointments with different providers to choose the right therapist for your needs. This could come in handy if you’re unsure about committing to a specific provider and want to “shop” different options first.

Pros and cons
Pros Therapists may offer online and in-person sessions Easy sign-up process Free to use with an optional paid subscription Cons Doesn’t accept insurance, including Medicare and Medicaid Showed appointment slots that were already booked No way to delete your Sesame account
Subscriptions offered

Sesame offers access to individual providers who have varying rates. Sesame also offers a subscription service called Sesame Plus for $10.99 per month. A Sesame Plus subscription offers $10 off all telehealth visits booked through the platform.

Additional information

Creating an account on Sesame gives you 20% off your first session with your provider. Sesame doesn’t accept private insurance, Medicaid, or Medicare. This means that every provider on Sesame does not accept any form of insurance. The platform does promise to “keep prices low.”

The monthly membership, Sesame Plus, costs $99 per year or $10.99 per month. Booking online grief counseling sessions through Sesame Plus saves you $10 per session. So, if you book four sessions in a month, you can save $40 on your provider’s usual rate minus the subscription cost.

When choosing a therapist for grief and loss, look for a provider with formal training and experience in grief counseling, said Dale Larson, PhD, professor and psychotherapist at Santa Clara University. Sesame allows you to find and select providers with the right background for your grief counseling needs.

Tester insights

Our tester found it easy to sign up for a Sesame account. However, they discovered that it isn’t possible to delete a Sesame account after creating one, so keep that in mind if you don’t like having accounts open after you’ve stopped using a platform.

Our tester initially encountered an issue with Sesame allowing them to sign up for already-booked appointment slots. After sorting that out with customer service, they found it easy to sign up and book appointments with varying providers.

The live chat service frustrated our tester because it mainly provided automated responses. But they found phone service much better. Our tester was on hold for less than five minutes and received answers to their questions after that.

Customer service

You can contact Sesame’s customer service via the following options:

  • Email: support@sesamecare.com, responses within 24 hours
  • Phone: (877-947-6411), available seven days a week 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET
  • Chat: Available online, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET

Payment options

Sesame accepts credit cards, debit cards, Google Pay, and Stripe.

Privacy Policy

You can read Sesame’s privacy policy here. This policy covers what personal data they collect and how it can be used or shared.

Best text-based online grief counseling: Calmerry

Best text-based online grief counseling
8.3 Good
8.3 Good
Key features
  • Cost: $228–$360 per month
  • Accepts private insurance: No
  • Accepts Medicaid or Medicare: No
  • Session format options: Live video; unlimited messaging between sessions
Why we chose this platform

If you don’t have the time to commit to a live session or prefer to write about your feelings, you might enjoy a text-based therapy option. While many of our options on the list offer unlimited messaging, Calmerry specializes in text therapy. The mobile app is convenient, easy-to-use, and allows you to message your therapist anytime.

Pros and cons
Pros Switch therapists at any time Live chat support available 24/7 Offers access to additional grief resources and exercises Cons Doesn’t accept private insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid. Cannot choose your therapist
Subscriptions offered

Sesame offers access to individual providers who have varying rates. Sesame also offers a subscription service called Sesame Plus for $10.99 per month. A Sesame Plus subscription offers $10 off all telehealth visits booked through the platform.

Additional information

Calmerry offers several subscription tiers. The platform automatically gives a 20% discount for the first month. After the first month, the tiers are:

  • Messaging: $228 per month, includes unlimited messaging
  • Messaging + One Live Session: $298 per month, includes unlimited messaging and one live video session per month
  • Messaging + Four Live Sessions: $360 per month, includes unlimited messaging and four live video sessions per month

Additional details

You can connect with a grief counselor and begin messaging them within one hour of signing up with Calmerry. However, your therapist may respond one to two times per day during the week. You can’t choose your provider like you can with other platforms on this list.

Calmerry’s live sessions last just 30 minutes, which could be a perk for anyone who feels short on time. You can subscribe to different tiers with one live session per month or one per week. All your communications with your therapist are HIPAA-compliant and encrypted to protect your privacy.

Calmerry offers bonus resources for those dealing with loss, such as access to articles and exercises related to grief.

The app features a bot assistant named Coa that can teach you how to use the Calmerry app and remind you to use bonus features like logging your mood and journaling.

Tester insights

Our tester found Calmerry easy to sign up for on desktop, and both the desktop version and the app were simple to use. However, they encountered some tech glitches on the web version and preferred using the app to message their provider.

Our tester’s automatically assigned therapist didn’t align with their needs, but they were matched with a better fit within 20 minutes of requesting a new provider. They found customer service quick and responsive and also enjoyed mobile reminders from the bot assistant, Coa.

Customer service

You can reach Calmerry customer service through the following options:

  • Email: (team@calmerry.com)
  • Phone: (844-948-3158), available 24/7
  • Live chat: Available 24/7 via the website

Payment options

Calmerry doesn’t accept insurance. You can pay for your subscription with a credit or debit card.

Privacy Policy

You can read Calmerry’’s privacy policy here. This policy covers what personal data they collect and how it can be used or shared.

Medicare and Medicaid coverage

Medicare Part B covers telehealth visits, including individual, group, and family psychotherapy. [5] Medicare.gov. Telehealth. Found on the internet at https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/telehealth You will first need to meet the Part B deductible and then pay 20% of the Medicare-approved cost for telehealth service. If you want to use Medicare to pay for online grief counseling, always check with your Medicare program to confirm your costs.

Some state Medicaid programs cover telehealth services like online therapy. [6] Medicaid.gov. Telehealth. Found on the internet at https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/benefits/telehealth/index.html You can use the Medicaid website to check your state profile and see if you’re eligible for Medicaid and if it covers telemedicine, which includes online mental health services.

How we chose the best online grief counseling services

Based on our independent research and consultations with mental health experts, our Reviews Team determined the following factors to be important when looking for online grief counseling:

We also consulted with independent mental health professionals for their insights into the benefits and drawbacks of online grief counseling to aid our reviews.

Bottom line

Any of the above online therapy or grief counseling services can provide a place to begin working through your feelings with a qualified mental health professional. 

“Online or in-person, counseling for grief and loss can be a tremendous resource, and just by seeking it, you are taking a tremendous step forward,” said Larson. 

After choosing the right online therapy platform for your needs, it’s important to take care of yourself by eating well, getting plenty of rest, regular physical activity, and seeking comfort from loved ones. [7] Mental Health America. Bereavement and grief. Found on the internet at https://www.mhanational.org/bereavement-ad-grief  

Frequently asked questions

The best therapist for you will depend on your preferences and goals, but finding someone you connect with is important. “For grief counseling, you want a therapist who is caring, empathic, a good listener, someone you can trust, and who expresses interest in you,” said Larson. “If you have had a more traumatic loss, find a therapist who has a background working with trauma.”

Every person processes grief in different ways. So the exact timeline can depend on your individual situation and how you’re processing your emotions.

According to Chang, some people may even prefer to seek grief counseling before losing a loved one. For instance, perhaps you’re caregiving for a spouse or parent with dementia and feel as if you’ve already “lost” them to the illness.

“This would be an instance where it could be beneficial to seek grief counseling while caring for someone with such an illness, to help process one’s emotions and thoughts during such a vulnerable time,” said Chang.

The online therapy services on our list start from as low as $46 per week without insurance with a first-month promotion. Other options cost as much as $109 per week without insurance. The amount you pay may also depend on whether or not your chosen platform or provider accepts insurance with copays.

Have questions about this review? Email us at reviewsteam@ncoa.org.

Sources

  1. Zuelke A, et al. Effectiveness and Feasibility of Internet-Based Interventions for Grief After Bereavement: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. JMIR Mental Health. Dec. 8, 2021. Found on the internet at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8701663/ 
  2. Wisconsin Department of Health Services. Crisis services: Identifying a crisis. Jan. 2, 2024. Found on the internet at https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/crisis/signs.htm
  3. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Tips for survivors: Coping with grief after a disaster or traumatic event. Found on the internet at https://store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/sma17-5035.pdf 
  4. Bradley University. 5 counseling strategies for grief and loss. Found on the internet at https://onlinedegrees.bradley.edu/blog/counseling-strategies-for-loss-and-grief/
  5. Medicare.gov. Telehealth. Found on the internet at https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/telehealth 
  6. Medicaid.gov. Telehealth. Found on the internet at https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/benefits/telehealth/index.html 
  7. Mental Health America. Bereavement and grief. Found on the internet at https://www.mhanational.org/bereavement-ad-grief
Brooke Helton Author
Brooke Helton is a freelance writer passionate about holistic living. She loves creating content that empowers others to take charge of their health.
Haley Stricker is a licensed professional counselor who specializes in eating disorders, marriage and family counseling, women’s health, and trauma. She obtained her Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Richmont Graduate University in Atlanta, GA.
Kathleen Cameron
Kathleen Cameron Reviewer
Kathleen Cameron, BSPharm, MPH, has more than 25 years of experience in the health care field as a pharmacist, researcher, and program director focusing on falls prevention, geriatric pharmacotherapy, mental health, long-term services and supports, and caregiving. Cameron is Senior Director of the NCOA Center for Healthy Aging, where she provides subject matter expertise on health care programmatic and policy related issues and oversees the Modernizing Senior Center Resource Center.
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