Grief Counseling & Bereavement Therapy
Therapy to Help You Move Past Grief
Lisa Patrick, LCSW-R
For over 13 years, I worked in New York City hospitals with acutely ill & dying patients and their families. I deeply understand the experience of grief and loss.
Maybe the memories of your loved one keeps popping into your head every day for months or years and you continue to push it back down.
Perhaps you experience regret for the things you could have done or said differently?
Clients Come to Me When They’re
Feeling overwhelmed
Experiencing sudden waves of sadness
Constantly replaying last words or moments
Feeling stuck
Processing a complex relationship
Missing the person so deeply they can’t talk about it
Grieving an unexpected death
Struggling with the absence of their loved one
Grief is not a straight line.
It comes in waves- sometimes calm, sometimes crashing
What Grief Therapy With Me Is Like
In our work together, we’ll talk about your loved one, the relationship you shared, and the many ways their absence reshaped your life.
I will help you make sense of what feels unbearable, create space for the emotions that come up, and untangle complicated feelings. We will also work toward integrating your loss into your life so that you will feel more at peace.
Understanding Different Types of Grief
Grief shows up differently for everyone. Gaining awareness of your personal grief can be the first step towards understanding and healing.
Common types grief I help clients with (click below):
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Anticipatory grief happens before the loss occurs. Acknowledging anticipatory grief gives you space to both honor your love and your pain. Talking about it can help you find comfort, stay present with your loved one, and begin to care for yourself during a very difficult time.
Some examples of anticipatory grief are:
Feelings waves of sadness or anxiety while your loved one is still alive.
Worried about how life will feel once they are gone.
Mourning changes in your loved ones health, personality, and independence.
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Complicated grief (also called prolonged grief) is a deep and persistent sorrow that doesn’t seem to ease with time. Unlike typical grief, you are left feeling” stuck”, making it hard to enjoy life and move forward.
Some examples of complicated grief:
losing a loved one to sudden or traumatic circumstances. Such as an accident, suicide or unexpected illness making it hard to process the grief.
when the connection with the loved one who passed was complex or unresolved, making it difficult to find peace and acceptance
experiencing multiple losses close together which can make it hard to manage day to day life.
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Disenfranchised grief happens when your loss isn’t openly acknowledged, validated or supported by others. You might be hurting deeply, but don’t feel you have “permission” to grieve the loss of your loved one.
Some examples of disenfranchised grief:
The loss of a pet that others might not view as “significant” but was like family to you.
A miscarriage, infertility loss, abortion, or stillborn child.
Losing a loved one to death by sucicide, overdose, or estrangement.
Grieving a loved one in a complicated relationship, such as an abusive or distant parent where feelings are mixed or confusing.
Grief is not about forgetting your loved one, it's about learning how to carry their memory with you as you find your way forward.
After Grief Therapy, Clients Report
Fewer bursts of intense emotions
Closure & acceptance
Relief from ruminating
Ease of inner turmoil
Talking about their loved one without breaking down
A next chapter starting
You don’t stop missing your loved one , but you will live fully again.
About Me
Hi, I’m Lisa Patrick, LCSW-R.
For over a decade, I’ve helped people navigate profound grief and loss. My approach is rooted in empathy and deep listening, grounded in the understanding that grief is a process, not an event. No two people grieve in the exact same way.
Clients describe me as "down to earth", authentic, easy to talk to, direct, and compassionate in my approach. In sessions, we’ll move at your pace. Some days, that means sitting quietly with what comes up in the moment. Other times, it means gently exploring memories, patterns, and the emotions that arise.
I know that grief after the passing of a loved one unfolds differently for everyone. I'm here to help you navigate your unique journey, offering a safe environment to express your emotions and embrace the next chapter - knowing you're not walking it alone.
Availability: Telehealth in New York + Connecitut
Education, Credentials,
& Trainings
CUNY Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College, NYC, graduated 2010
Postgraduate Training in Interpersonal Psychoanalysis from the William Alanson White Institute, NYC
Internal Family Systems Institute - Level 1
Perinatal Mood & Anxiety Disorders and Perinatal Loss, Seleni Institute, NYC
Certified Pet Loss Specialist, PLP, NJ
The LGBTQ Institute for Family Therapy (LIFT) Certification Program, The Center, NYC
Certified "SIFI" Field Instructor for Social Work Graduate Degree Programs
Connecticut Society for Psychoanalytic Psychology, active board member/ membership development coordinator
Get Started in
3 Steps
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Fill out the contact form to schedule a free consultation.
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We’ll talk about what’s bringing you to therapy and see if it feels like a good fit.
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We’ll begin exploring your story, cultivate a safe space and begin to journey towards easing the pain you've been carrying.
COPING WITH LOSS IS
INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT
Together, we will work through your grief.