Find a Therapist for Grief in Columbus

Medically reviewed by Gabriela Asturias, MD on May 23, 2025
Written by the MiResource team

You’re in the right place to find grief and loss support in Columbus. Explore trusted mental health resources, counseling, and therapy options near you. We help you connect with caring providers and support groups so you can navigate loss with compassion and clear next steps.

  • DESIREE PEARSON, Psychologist

    DESIREE PEARSON

    Psychologist

    218 North Lee Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314

    DESIREE PEARSON is a Psychologist in Alexandria, Virginia and has been in practice for 20 years. They treat Grief & Loss, Relationship(s) with Partner/Husband/Wife, Dependent Personality.

    *IMMEDIATE OPENINGS AVAILABLE. I know college can be a time of transition and struggle. I welcome and affirm patients of all backgrounds and identities.

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  • Zachary Jones, Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

    Zachary Jones

    Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

    140 Wadsworth Road, Wadsworth, Ohio 44281

    Zachary Jones is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Wadsworth, Ohio. They treat Grief & Loss, Life Transitions, Anxiety.

    Helping adults, children, couples, and families with their mental health needs.

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  • Christy Hofsess, Psychologist

    Christy Hofsess

    Psychologist

    Remote only

    Christy Hofsess is a Psychologist in undefined, undefined and has been in practice for 4 years. They treat Grief & Loss, Relationship(s) with Partner/Husband/Wife, Intimacy Concerns.

    My mission is to help individuals and couples reach their full potential for connection and growth using a holistic and culturally responsive approach.

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  • Hider Shaaban, Psychotherapist

    Hider Shaaban

    Psychotherapist, Psychologist

    255 South 17th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103

    Hider Shaaban is a Psychotherapist in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They treat Grief & Loss, Sexual Concerns, Gender Identity.

    Your emotional wellbeing is our priority. We will work together to not just get you unstuck, but help you thrive and flourish.

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  • Allison Lobel, Psy.D., Psychologist

    Allison Lobel, Psy.D.

    Psychologist

    3838 North Ravenswood Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60613

    Allison Lobel, Psy.D. is a Psychologist in Chicago, Illinois and has been in practice for 18 years. They treat Grief & Loss, Depression, Anxiety.

    Psychologist supporting college students with anxiety, stress, and relationships

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  • Michelle Litwer, Psychologist

    Michelle Litwer

    Psychologist

    Remote only

    Michelle Litwer is a Psychologist in undefined, undefined and has been in practice for 8 years. They treat Grief & Loss, Parenting Concerns, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

    My main objective is to help clients manage their emotions, make decisions that are line with their values, and to live fulfilling and meaningful lives.

    View profile

Starting Your Grief Therapy Journey in Columbus 

Columbus offers a wide range of Grief therapy options across neighborhoods like Short North, German Village, and suburbs such as Dublin, Westerville, and Bexley. Start with MiResource’s directory to see vetted therapists in your area and nearby clinics, hospital programs, and support groups. You can compare profiles side by side, read approaches to grief work, and identify providers who serve your part of the city or offer convenient telehealth.

Use MiResource’s filters to narrow by therapy approach (e.g., grief-focused CBT, meaning-centered therapy, EMDR for traumatic loss), insurance plans, sliding-scale fees, language, cultural focus, and real-time availability. These tools help you quickly find clinicians with openings that match your schedule, whether you need evening sessions after work or weekend appointments. You can also filter for virtual or in-person care to fit your preferences and transportation needs.

Finding a therapist locally in Columbus can improve accessibility, reduce commute stress, and make scheduling consistent. Local providers are more likely to understand community resources, cultural and faith traditions, and the rhythms of campus life around Ohio State and major employers. With MiResource, you can shortlist Columbus therapists, message or request appointments directly, and feel confident you’re connecting with someone equipped to support your grief journey.

Mental Health Resources for Grief in Columbus 

Grief and loss can feel overwhelming; Columbus offers many places to find immediate help, counseling, and peer support. If you’re in danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. For 24/7 emotional support, call or text 988. Explore the options below and remember you can use MiResource to find licensed Grief therapists in Columbus.

Emergency & Crisis

- 911 (life-threatening emergencies)

- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline 

- Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center Emergency Department

- OhioHealth Grant Medical Center Emergency Department

- Nationwide Children’s Hospital Emergency Department (youth)

Public & City Programs

- ADAMH Board of Franklin County (care navigation, funded providers)

- Netcare Access – Franklin County Crisis Services (24/7)

- Columbus Public Health – Mental Health & Wellness resources

Nonprofits & Support Groups

- NAMI Franklin County (education, support groups)

- DBSA Ohio – Central Ohio chapters/support groups

- Cornerstone of Hope – Columbus (grief counseling/support groups)

- The Compassionate Friends, Columbus Chapter (bereaved families)

- LOSS Community Services (suicide loss survivors)

Health Systems & Universities

- Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center – Behavioral Health

- OhioHealth Behavioral & Mental Health

- Nationwide Children’s Hospital – Behavioral Health (youth) 

- OSU Psychology Clinic (low-cost therapy/training clinic) 

Community Clinics/Sliding-Scale

- PrimaryOne Health – Behavioral Health (FQHC)

- Lower Lights Christian Health Center – Behavioral Health (FQHC)

- Southeast Healthcare (integrated mental health, sliding-scale)

- North Community Counseling Centers (community mental health)

- Syntero (counseling and grief support, multiple sites)

Use MiResource to quickly match with licensed Grief therapists in Columbus.

The Benefits of Seeing a Columbus-Based Grief Therapist 

Working with a Columbus-based therapist who specializes in Grief means you’re with someone who understands the city’s rhythms and communities—from the campus energy around Ohio State and the Wexner/James hospitals to the quieter pace of Clintonville, Bexley, and Grandview Heights. Local knowledge helps tailor coping strategies around familiar places and routines: a grounding walk on the Scioto Mile or Goodale Park, timing sessions to avoid I-70/I-71 split congestion, or choosing an office near the COTA CMAX line on Cleveland Ave or High St routes. Many practices in Short North, Arena District, and Downtown have validated parking or nearby garages (e.g., Goodale Garage, Columbus Commons Garage), while suburban offices in Worthington, Westerville, and Dublin often offer free surface parking. In-person care can fit neatly into daily life with quick bus connections, CoGo bike stations, and flexible evening hours that work around OSU schedules, hospital shifts, or events like the Columbus Arts Festival on the riverfront.

A locally rooted therapist also brings cultural awareness and community connection that improves outcomes—whether honoring faith traditions in Bexley, serving LGBTQ+ clients around Short North, or understanding immigrant grief within Northland and West Side communities. They can plug you into trusted supports: OhioHealth Kobacker House bereavement services, Mount Carmel Grief Support, Cornerstone of Hope – Columbus/Westerville, LOSS Community Services for suicide loss survivors, NAMI Franklin County groups, Syntero community counseling in Dublin/Hilliard/Worthington, and OSU student support groups via the Counseling and Consultation Service. Many of these offer no-cost groups, drop-in sessions, and workshops that complement therapy, with options accessible by COTA lines and ample parking—making consistent, culturally attuned grief care realistic and sustainable in everyday Columbus life.

Understanding Grief 

Grief is a natural, personal response to losing someone or something important, and it can bring waves of sadness, confusion, anger, numbness, or even relief. If you’re navigating this in Columbus, know that your feelings are valid and support is available to help you cope and heal.

About Grief 

Grief and loss are natural responses to losing someone or something important, and they can bring up many emotions like sadness, anger, guilt, or numbness. You might notice changes in sleep or appetite, trouble focusing, pulling away from others, or waves of emotion that come and go. These feelings can make everyday tasks, work, or school harder, especially when you’re trying to keep up with life in Columbus. For more details and support, visit Grief page.

How Therapy Can Help with Grief 

Working with a therapist can help you process painful emotions, reduce guilt and overwhelm, and rebuild routines that support daily life in Columbus. Evidence-based approaches like Complicated Grief Therapy, CBT, and ACT teach coping skills, ease symptoms of depression and anxiety, improve sleep, and strengthen social connection. You’ll learn to honor your loss while finding meaning, setting small goals, and reconnecting with what matters most. With guided support, hope and a sense of steadier days become possible.

Inside the Grief Therapy Process 

In your first session, we review your history, your relationship to the loss, immediate supports and goals, and set a pace that feels safe; subsequent sessions focus on processing the loss, building coping skills, and gently re-engaging in life. We draw on evidence-based approaches such as Complicated/Prolonged Grief Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Narrative Therapy, tailored to your needs. These methods work by helping you gradually confront painful memories while strengthening routines and roles (grief therapy), challenge unhelpful beliefs that intensify sorrow (CBT), make room for difficult feelings while taking values-guided steps (ACT), and reconstruct a meaningful story that honors your loved one (Narrative). Throughout, therapy is a collaborative partnership—you set the goals and pace, and together we adjust what’s working in Columbus.

Common Questions About Grief Therapy in Columbus 

1) How can I tell if I should see a Grief therapist?

Consider Grief therapy if intense sadness, numbness, or guilt are lingering and making daily tasks in Columbus feel overwhelming. Signs include trouble sleeping or eating, withdrawing from friends, or feeling stuck in loops of what-ifs and regrets. If grief keeps disrupting work, school, or relationships, or you feel hopeless about the future, professional support can help you move through it at your own pace.

2) What if the first Grief therapist I see in Columbus isn’t the right fit?

It’s common not to click with the first therapist—fit matters, especially for Grief. Trust your instincts and give yourself permission to try someone new until you feel understood and supported. MiResource makes the search in Columbus easier by helping you compare therapists by specialty, approach, availability, and insurance so you can find a better match sooner.

3) Is virtual Grief therapy effective?

Yes—research and real-world experience show both virtual and in-person Grief therapy can be effective. Online sessions offer convenience, privacy at home, and easier scheduling, while in-person care can feel more grounded and allow richer nonverbal connection. Many people in Columbus choose a hybrid approach to get the benefits of both.

4) What should I ask when choosing a Grief therapist in Columbus?

- How much experience do you have with Grief, including complicated grief or traumatic loss?

- What approaches do you use (e.g., grief-focused CBT, Complicated Grief Therapy, EMDR if trauma is present)?

- How will we set goals, track progress, and adjust the plan if I feel stuck?

- Do you offer in-person and virtual sessions in Columbus, and what are your hours and wait times?

- What are your fees, insurance options, and cancellation policy?

- How do you incorporate culture, family, or spiritual beliefs into Grief work?

- What is your plan for between-session support or crises?

5) Does Grief therapy really help?

Yes—studies show grief-focused therapies (like Complicated Grief Therapy and CBT) reduce distress, improve sleep and mood, and help people re-engage with life. Therapy provides compassionate structure to process emotions, remember your person, and build coping tools that fit your values. Many people in Columbus report feeling more anchored, connected, and hopeful over time, even though healing isn’t linear.

Find care for you

Recovery is possible. With early intervention, a supportive community, and the right professional care, you can overcome challenges and build a fulfilling life. We’re here to help you find the support you need.

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