Find a Therapist for Grief in Ithaca

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

Taking the step to seek help for grief is significant. In Ithaca, this page explains what grief can look like and helps you find local therapists. It also notes factors that may affect travel, scheduling, and access to care.

  • Sharee Gunner, Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)

    Sharee Gunner

    Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)

    Remote only

    Sharee Gunner is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in undefined, undefined and has been in practice for 18 years. They treat Grief & Loss, Women's Issues, Social Anxiety.

    Supporting individuals navigate anxiety, uncertainty, and life's big transitions.

    View profile
  • Randi Specterman, Psychologist

    Randi Specterman

    Psychologist

    1728 East Madison Street, Seattle, Washington 98122

    Randi Specterman is a Psychologist in Seattle, Washington and has been in practice for 25 years. They treat Grief & Loss, Binge-Eating Disorder, School Concerns.

    Mindfulness-Oriented, Psychodynamic, Somatic Psychologist helping students for over 25 years with academic, career, relationship and personal growth.

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  • Yi Duan Low, Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN)

    Yi Duan Low

    Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN), Psychiatric Nurse, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

    2000 South Dixie Highway, Miami, Florida 33133

    Yi Duan Low is a Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) in Miami, Florida and has been in practice for 12 years. They treat Grief & Loss, Life Transitions, Psychosis.

    Peace of Mind is your Birthright! You do not have to suffer alone.

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  • Adam Germinsky, Licensed Social Worker (LSW)

    Adam Germinsky

    Licensed Social Worker (LSW)

    67 Beaver Avenue, Clinton Township, New Jersey 08801

    Adam Germinsky is a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) in Clinton Township, New Jersey and has been in practice for 17 years. They treat Grief & Loss, School Concerns, Loneliness/Isolation.

    Please visit my website to read a bit about my approach, and feel free to contact me by phone or email. adamgerminsky.com

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  • Shayda Ewalt, Psychotherapist

    Shayda Ewalt

    Psychotherapist, Certified Trauma Professional, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)

    Remote only

    Shayda Ewalt is a Psychotherapist in undefined, undefined and has been in practice for 11 years. They treat Grief & Loss, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Peer Difficulties.

    Trauma-informed therapist specializing in EMDR, Brainspotting, and Somatic Experiencing for trauma, PTSD, attachment, anxiety, panic, or depression.

    View profile
  • Andrea Brunetti, Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)

    Andrea Brunetti

    Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)

    80 SW 8th St., Suite 2000 Office #1, Miami, Florida 33130

    Andrea Brunetti is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in Miami, Florida. They treat Grief & Loss, Academic Concerns, Work/Life Balance.

    Together, we’ll explore how to prioritize your needs, reconnect with what matters, and create a sense of safety and grounding.

    View profile

Understanding Grief

Grief is the strong emotional pain that can follow a loss, often after the death of someone important. It can bring sadness, crying, anger, numbness, trouble sleeping, changes in appetite, and difficulty focusing. Grief can make daily tasks feel harder, including work, school, travel, and keeping up with routines or relationships. For some people, it slowly gets easier over time, but for others it can feel overwhelming for a longer period. More information is available on the main therapy for the condition page in MiResource.

Common Signs and Symptoms

This section outlines common signs of Grief to help readers notice concerns early and decide whether it may be worth talking with a professional. Grief can feel different from person to person, and support may be helpful if symptoms are intense, lingering, or making daily life harder.

  • Deep sadness or emotional pain
  • Crying more easily than usual
  • Trouble sleeping or changes in appetite
  • Feeling numb, empty, or disconnected
  • Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
  • Intense longing, yearning, or preoccupation with the person or loss
  • Pulling away from usual activities or social contact

Why This Happens

Grief usually reflects a mix of biological, psychological, and environmental influences, and it is not a personal failing. It can be more likely or feel more intense after the death of a loved one, major life changes, sudden or traumatic losses, or when someone has little support around them. Past mental health concerns, ongoing stress, financial strain, or difficulty accessing care can also make grief harder to cope with. Everyone’s response is different, and the same loss can affect people in very different ways.

How Treatment Works

Treatment for grief is often evidence-based and can be effective, with approaches such as counseling that helps people process loss, build coping skills, and restore daily functioning. Medication may sometimes be used if grief is accompanied by significant depression, anxiety, or sleep problems, depending on individual needs. Support systems can also include groups or peer programs that reduce isolation and offer shared understanding. In Ithaca, telehealth may help reduce winter travel burdens, and scheduling can be affected by hilly terrain, bus transit, walking, parking limits near campuses and downtown, and varying insurance acceptance or waitlists at sliding-scale clinics.

Finding the right provider in Ithaca

To find the right Grief therapist in Ithaca, start by searching for providers who specifically work with grief and loss. Use filters for insurance, availability, and therapeutic approach so you can narrow the list to options that fit your needs and schedule. In Ithaca, it can also help to consider whether you want in-person visits or telehealth, since winter weather, hilly terrain, and limited parking can make travel harder. Check whether the therapist’s location is easy to reach by bus, walking, or driving, depending on where you live or study. Personal fit matters too, because feeling understood and comfortable can make it easier to talk about grief. MiResource makes comparing options easier.

Local Care Logistics in Ithaca

In Ithaca, getting to grief care can take a little planning because hilly terrain and winter weather can affect travel times. People in Fall Creek, Collegetown, South Hill, Downtown Ithaca, Northside, West Hill, East Hill, Cornell Heights, Southside, Lansing, Forest Home, Dryden, Brooktondale, Trumansburg, the Ithaca Commons, the Cherry Street area, and the South Cayuga Street corridor may find it easier to choose appointment times that avoid the busiest travel periods. Many students rely on bus transit and walking, while parking can be limited near campuses and downtown. Residents who live farther out often drive to appointments in central areas. If schedules are tight, telehealth can reduce winter travel burdens and make it easier to keep regular sessions when roads, weather, or campus demands get in the way.

Taking Care of Your Mental Health in Ithaca

For grief in Ithaca, Tompkins County Mental Health Services can be a place to start for local support and help finding care, and NAMI Finger Lakes may offer peer support and connection with others who understand loss. 211 Tompkins/Cortland can help people navigate community resources and next steps while they look for a therapist. If you are a student, Cornell University and Ithaca College can be starting points through campus counseling or student support services. Travel can be harder in hilly areas and winter weather, so many people rely on bus transit or walking, and telehealth may help reduce trips during busy or cold periods.

When to Seek Immediate Help

Grief can become an emergency if someone is thinking about suicide, is unable to stay safe, becomes severely confused or unable to function, or is in immediate danger. If the situation feels urgent or life-threatening, call 988 or 911 right away. In Ithaca, you can also contact Suicide Prevention and Crisis Service of Tompkins County at (607-272-1616), Tompkins County Mental Health Crisis Line at (607-274-7000), Tompkins County Mobile Crisis Team, or Cayuga Health Crisis Intervention Services. If travel is difficult because of hilly terrain, winter weather, or limited parking near campuses and downtown, going to an emergency department such as Cayuga Medical Center is a practical option.

  1. Watch for crisis signs: thoughts of suicide, inability to stay safe, extreme distress, or not being able to cope at all.
  2. Call 988 or 911 right away if there is any immediate danger; for local support, call Suicide Prevention and Crisis Service of Tompkins County at (607-272-1616) or Tompkins County Mental Health Crisis Line at (607-274-7000).
  3. If help needs to come to you, ask about Tompkins County Mobile Crisis Team or Cayuga Health Crisis Intervention Services; if you need in-person urgent care, go to Cayuga Medical Center.
  4. Expect staff to focus on immediate safety, ask about what is happening, and help decide the next step, which may include urgent evaluation, crisis support, or a safer plan for the next few hours.

Common Questions About Grief

Q: How do I know if I need a therapist for the condition? A: If grief is making it hard to function, sleep, work, study, or care for yourself, a therapist can help. You do not need to wait until things feel unbearable to reach out. Support can be especially helpful if the loss feels overwhelming, stuck, or isolating. In Ithaca, it may also be practical to seek help sooner if travel, winter weather, or limited parking makes in-person visits harder to manage.

Q: What if I don’t feel a connection with my therapist? A: That is common, and it does not mean therapy is not right for you. A good fit matters, especially with grief, where trust and comfort are important. You can talk honestly about what is not working or look for someone else. It is okay to keep searching until you find a therapist who feels respectful and supportive.

Q: Is online therapy as effective as in-person therapy for the condition? A: Online therapy can be very effective for grief, especially if it helps you stay consistent with care. It may be a good option in Ithaca when winter weather, hilly terrain, or bus and walking routes make travel difficult. Some people prefer in-person sessions for the deeper sense of presence they provide, while others feel more comfortable at home. The best choice is often the one you can access reliably and use comfortably.

Q: What should I ask a potential therapist for the condition? A: You can ask about their experience supporting people through grief and how they usually help. It is also useful to ask how they handle different kinds of loss, what sessions are like, and whether they offer in-person or telehealth care. In Ithaca, you may want to ask about scheduling flexibility, insurance acceptance, and whether they have sliding-scale options. If transportation is a concern, ask how they make appointments easier during winter or when parking is limited.

Q: Does therapy for the condition really work? A: Yes, therapy can be very helpful for grief. It does not erase the loss, but it can help you make sense of what happened, cope with painful emotions, and adjust to life after the loss. Many people find that having a steady place to talk makes the experience feel less isolating. Healing often takes time, and therapy can provide support through that process.

Local Resources in Ithaca

MiResource can help you search for clinicians in Ithaca, NY who treat Grief. You can filter by insurance, specialty, and availability to find someone who fits your needs.

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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