Grief Therapists in Putnam Valley, NY
Valerie Smith
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, IFS, EMDR, IADC, DBT
4 Endorsed
Putnam Valley, NY 10579
Waitlist for new clients
I work with people who are grieving and are so tired of being told to “move on” when all they really want is to still feel connected to the person they lost (and yes, we can find ways to do that together).
I’m drawn to working with those asking life’s deeper questions. I specialize in grief, using Induced After Death Communication (IADC) to support reconnection with loved ones who’ve passed. I also focus on relational trauma (CPTSD, etc.) and early motherhood challenges (e.g., bonding issues). My work blends spirituality, forest therapy, IFS, EMDR, and DBT.
I work with people who are grieving and are so tired of being told to “move on” when all they really want is to still feel connected to the person they lost (and yes, we can find ways to do that together).
I’m drawn to working with those asking life’s deeper questions. I specialize in grief, using Induced After Death Communication (IADC) to support reconnection with loved ones who’ve passed. I also focus on relational trauma (CPTSD, etc.) and early motherhood challenges (e.g., bonding issues). My work blends spirituality, forest therapy, IFS, EMDR, and DBT.
At my practice, every individual and family is met with compassion, respect, and clinical expertise. I have over three decades of clinical and supervisory experience. Whatever struggle or transition you are navigating, it is my priority to ensure you never feel alone or unsupported. I provide a safe and structured space for healing and growth, always with a focus on the well-being of those clients I serve.
At my practice, every individual and family is met with compassion, respect, and clinical expertise. I have over three decades of clinical and supervisory experience. Whatever struggle or transition you are navigating, it is my priority to ensure you never feel alone or unsupported. I provide a safe and structured space for healing and growth, always with a focus on the well-being of those clients I serve.
I specialize in treating various addictions, trauma, mental health, couples, relationship issues, codependency, grief & loss, and major life transitions.
With over 15 years of experience, I’ve had the privilege of working with a diverse range of people in various therapeutic settings. I strive to create a therapeutic environment where people feel safe, supported, and motivated for change. I understand the importance of working at a pace that is comfortable for you, while also providing gentle therapeutic nudges to help you move forward. My approach is warm, compassionate, and encouraging with a healthy dose of therapeutic humor.
I specialize in treating various addictions, trauma, mental health, couples, relationship issues, codependency, grief & loss, and major life transitions.
With over 15 years of experience, I’ve had the privilege of working with a diverse range of people in various therapeutic settings. I strive to create a therapeutic environment where people feel safe, supported, and motivated for change. I understand the importance of working at a pace that is comfortable for you, while also providing gentle therapeutic nudges to help you move forward. My approach is warm, compassionate, and encouraging with a healthy dose of therapeutic humor.
Experienced a recent loss?
While my theoretical approach is eclectic, the most valuable skill I bring is helping you break things down into manageable bits. Together we will identify the misaligned thoughts, emotions and behaviors conspiring to throw you off course. Then, using your strengths and values, we'll build new goals and sustainable life skills to achieve those goals.
Experienced a recent loss?
While my theoretical approach is eclectic, the most valuable skill I bring is helping you break things down into manageable bits. Together we will identify the misaligned thoughts, emotions and behaviors conspiring to throw you off course. Then, using your strengths and values, we'll build new goals and sustainable life skills to achieve those goals.
Are you looking for a Therapist? Life Coach? Gambling Counselor? (Pioneer in Gambling within the Hudson Valley NY), and/or Process Addictions i.e. (Internet)? Let me be of assistance in determining in what direction you want to go. Do you need someone to really be there with you, and also, someone to be "real" with you when you're not being real with yourself? Then contact me today. I bring a unique blend of specialties to help my clients. Holding licenses in therapeutic counseling, and gambling, as well as nursing, allows me to work truly holistically. I am taking self pay.
Are you looking for a Therapist? Life Coach? Gambling Counselor? (Pioneer in Gambling within the Hudson Valley NY), and/or Process Addictions i.e. (Internet)? Let me be of assistance in determining in what direction you want to go. Do you need someone to really be there with you, and also, someone to be "real" with you when you're not being real with yourself? Then contact me today. I bring a unique blend of specialties to help my clients. Holding licenses in therapeutic counseling, and gambling, as well as nursing, allows me to work truly holistically. I am taking self pay.
Navigating difficult challenges can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to face them on your own. I work alongside you to create a supportive, collaborative space where we can make sense of what’s happening and clarify what matters most to you.
Therapy is a shared journey where you’re invited to come exactly as you are—without pressure to have all the answers. Together, we explore what may be underlying the stress or sense of feeling stuck and discover tools and insights that truly align with your life. My role is to support you with curiosity, compassion, and consistency as you move toward meaningful and sustainable change.
Navigating difficult challenges can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to face them on your own. I work alongside you to create a supportive, collaborative space where we can make sense of what’s happening and clarify what matters most to you.
Therapy is a shared journey where you’re invited to come exactly as you are—without pressure to have all the answers. Together, we explore what may be underlying the stress or sense of feeling stuck and discover tools and insights that truly align with your life. My role is to support you with curiosity, compassion, and consistency as you move toward meaningful and sustainable change.
Together we address challenges and use strengths for Anxiety and Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Relational issues, Grief, PTSD, and all traumatic encounters.
Using the natural capacity for emotional regulation and the body, psycho education facilitates practical enduring healing. Compassionate perspectives and effective coping skills replace possible unproductive behaviors with new insight and approaches to create confidence for increasing independence in managing your life. Therapy is a beginning of the new.
Together we address challenges and use strengths for Anxiety and Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Relational issues, Grief, PTSD, and all traumatic encounters.
Using the natural capacity for emotional regulation and the body, psycho education facilitates practical enduring healing. Compassionate perspectives and effective coping skills replace possible unproductive behaviors with new insight and approaches to create confidence for increasing independence in managing your life. Therapy is a beginning of the new.
I work with older adolescents (16+) and adults struggling with trauma, eating disorders, depression, anxiety, grief, breakups & those big life transitions.
My goal is to guide you through the chaos and into a calmer, more peaceful life with less "surviving" & more "thriving". In addition to talk therapy, I'm certified in Accelerated Resolution Therapy- a type of therapy using eye movements & imagery to desensitize our trauma triggers. In ED treatment, I use a Health At Every Size & Intuitive Eating approach.
I work with older adolescents (16+) and adults struggling with trauma, eating disorders, depression, anxiety, grief, breakups & those big life transitions.
My goal is to guide you through the chaos and into a calmer, more peaceful life with less "surviving" & more "thriving". In addition to talk therapy, I'm certified in Accelerated Resolution Therapy- a type of therapy using eye movements & imagery to desensitize our trauma triggers. In ED treatment, I use a Health At Every Size & Intuitive Eating approach.
Hi! I'm Justine, I'm happy you are taking this step to find support. You deserve it! I wish to provide clients with a safe and judgement free space to work through thoughts and emotions on your way towards a happy and fulfilling life. I work with adolescents and adults who are struggling with anxiety, stress, low self esteem, interpersonal conflicts, difficult life transitions, perinatal and postpartum issues, and many other challenges. My passion is working with womans issues. We will work together to identify emotions, learn coping skills, and work towards acceptance on our way to reaching your personal goals.
Hi! I'm Justine, I'm happy you are taking this step to find support. You deserve it! I wish to provide clients with a safe and judgement free space to work through thoughts and emotions on your way towards a happy and fulfilling life. I work with adolescents and adults who are struggling with anxiety, stress, low self esteem, interpersonal conflicts, difficult life transitions, perinatal and postpartum issues, and many other challenges. My passion is working with womans issues. We will work together to identify emotions, learn coping skills, and work towards acceptance on our way to reaching your personal goals.
Claudia Rivas
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Putnam Valley, NY 10579
Not accepting new clients
Therapy is a brave choice—and you don’t have to face it alone. I work with adults who feel anxious, stuck, or weighed down by old patterns and relationship struggles. Using a warm, psychodynamic approach, we’ll explore the deeper ‘why’ behind your feelings so you can break free from cycles that no longer serve you. With advanced training in psychotherapy and psychoanalysis, I help clients heal from past wounds, strengthen relationships, and create lasting emotional change. Together, we’ll build insight, self-compassion, and the confidence to live more fully and authentically.
Therapy is a brave choice—and you don’t have to face it alone. I work with adults who feel anxious, stuck, or weighed down by old patterns and relationship struggles. Using a warm, psychodynamic approach, we’ll explore the deeper ‘why’ behind your feelings so you can break free from cycles that no longer serve you. With advanced training in psychotherapy and psychoanalysis, I help clients heal from past wounds, strengthen relationships, and create lasting emotional change. Together, we’ll build insight, self-compassion, and the confidence to live more fully and authentically.
More Therapists Nearby
Maybe you're adjusting to a recent separation, divorce, break up, grieving a loss of a loved one or pet, or navigating a new baby, parenting, empty nest, postpartum or career loss/change.
I have worked with individuals across the life span including young children, parents, young adults and adults. I address a variety of concerns including anxiety, disabilities (autism, dyslexia, learning disabilities), relationships, separation/divorce, self-confidence, grief/ loss, career changes, life transitions.
Maybe you're adjusting to a recent separation, divorce, break up, grieving a loss of a loved one or pet, or navigating a new baby, parenting, empty nest, postpartum or career loss/change.
I have worked with individuals across the life span including young children, parents, young adults and adults. I address a variety of concerns including anxiety, disabilities (autism, dyslexia, learning disabilities), relationships, separation/divorce, self-confidence, grief/ loss, career changes, life transitions.
In addition to this focus, Renee treats anxiety and depression and offers additional support for grief, perfectionism, and relationship endings.
Renee is deeply committed to supporting women through a range of life challenges, including chronic health conditions and major transitions. She has a strong focus on the emotional toll of reproductive struggles, postpartum mental health, and the ongoing demands of managing personal, family, and career responsibilities. Recognizing how identity, relationships, and expectations can clash during these periods, she supports clients in reducing shame, fostering self-compassion, and helping them restore a sense of balance and emotional regulation.Renee is deeply committed to supporting women through a range of life challenges, including
In addition to this focus, Renee treats anxiety and depression and offers additional support for grief, perfectionism, and relationship endings.
Renee is deeply committed to supporting women through a range of life challenges, including chronic health conditions and major transitions. She has a strong focus on the emotional toll of reproductive struggles, postpartum mental health, and the ongoing demands of managing personal, family, and career responsibilities. Recognizing how identity, relationships, and expectations can clash during these periods, she supports clients in reducing shame, fostering self-compassion, and helping them restore a sense of balance and emotional regulation.Renee is deeply committed to supporting women through a range of life challenges, including
Using Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT), I will help you recognize ways in which your attempts to suppress, manage, and control negative emotional experiences can create more problems. By recognizing and addressing these problems, you will have a way out of suffering by choosing to live a life based on what matters most to you. The goal is to stop you from getting caught up in painful thoughts feelings, and experiences that may leave you feeling stuck, frustrated and suffering.
Using Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT), I will help you recognize ways in which your attempts to suppress, manage, and control negative emotional experiences can create more problems. By recognizing and addressing these problems, you will have a way out of suffering by choosing to live a life based on what matters most to you. The goal is to stop you from getting caught up in painful thoughts feelings, and experiences that may leave you feeling stuck, frustrated and suffering.
Do you ever feel like you've been moving through life in a fog - emotionally exhausted, disconnected, or just numb? Maybe you've done some work in therapy. You understand the "why" and "how" beneath your emotions and behaviors but struggle to find the relief you've been hoping for. Many of my clients have learned to intellectualize or compartmentalize as a way to cope, relying on logic and understanding to make sense of their experiences. Yet despite this insight, they often find themselves stuck in the same emotional and behavioral patterns — able to understand their pain but not fully process it.
Do you ever feel like you've been moving through life in a fog - emotionally exhausted, disconnected, or just numb? Maybe you've done some work in therapy. You understand the "why" and "how" beneath your emotions and behaviors but struggle to find the relief you've been hoping for. Many of my clients have learned to intellectualize or compartmentalize as a way to cope, relying on logic and understanding to make sense of their experiences. Yet despite this insight, they often find themselves stuck in the same emotional and behavioral patterns — able to understand their pain but not fully process it.
As a Therapist, I strive to create a warm, safe, nonjudgmental environment and empower individuals by using a holistic, strength-based, client-centered, cognitive behavioral approach in addition to other evidence-based therapies to overcome life challenges. Whether you are seeking a sounding board to help process life stressors and challenges, learn new skills to manage distressing symptoms, or better understand how your thinking impacts your feelings and behaviors, I look forward to joining you on your journey of self-exploration.
As a Therapist, I strive to create a warm, safe, nonjudgmental environment and empower individuals by using a holistic, strength-based, client-centered, cognitive behavioral approach in addition to other evidence-based therapies to overcome life challenges. Whether you are seeking a sounding board to help process life stressors and challenges, learn new skills to manage distressing symptoms, or better understand how your thinking impacts your feelings and behaviors, I look forward to joining you on your journey of self-exploration.
I specialize in working with adults navigating the psychological, emotional and relational impact of ADHD, along with grief and life transitions.
Adults with ADHD are often highly perceptive, seeing patterns, problems and possibilities quickly while feeling chronically out of step in environments that demand sustained attention, emotional restraint and political agility. Therapy supports understanding these patterns in depth to develop ways of living and working that are meaningful and sustainable.
I specialize in working with adults navigating the psychological, emotional and relational impact of ADHD, along with grief and life transitions.
Adults with ADHD are often highly perceptive, seeing patterns, problems and possibilities quickly while feeling chronically out of step in environments that demand sustained attention, emotional restraint and political agility. Therapy supports understanding these patterns in depth to develop ways of living and working that are meaningful and sustainable.
Issues that can be a focus of treatment: loss of a pet, pets and divorce, children and pets, illness of a pet, emotional support animals, animal advocacy.
I approach each individual with curiosity and acceptance. I see my clients as the real experts on themselves- each in the process of navigating the world around them and learning as they go. I am actively non-judgemental and find it most therapeutic to provide clients with a safe context in which to explore thoughts and feelings, gain insight, and problem solve in a lasting and empowering manner. I actively listen and offer feedback, reflection, education and, depending upon the issue at hand, more directive advice. I also offer levity and humor at times, as it can be quite therapeutic overall.
Issues that can be a focus of treatment: loss of a pet, pets and divorce, children and pets, illness of a pet, emotional support animals, animal advocacy.
I approach each individual with curiosity and acceptance. I see my clients as the real experts on themselves- each in the process of navigating the world around them and learning as they go. I am actively non-judgemental and find it most therapeutic to provide clients with a safe context in which to explore thoughts and feelings, gain insight, and problem solve in a lasting and empowering manner. I actively listen and offer feedback, reflection, education and, depending upon the issue at hand, more directive advice. I also offer levity and humor at times, as it can be quite therapeutic overall.
Many of my clients describe not being given the proper tools as children to cope with ADHD, anxiety, depression and grief.
Clients typically come to me when they are feeling lost in their lives. They are often overwhelmed by thoughts that they are not where they “should” be and are having trouble making decisions which contributes to a cycle of comparing themselves to others and a low sense of self-worth. Clients often describe feeling burnt out from always putting others first which leads to feelings of emptiness and dissatisfaction.
Many of my clients describe not being given the proper tools as children to cope with ADHD, anxiety, depression and grief.
Clients typically come to me when they are feeling lost in their lives. They are often overwhelmed by thoughts that they are not where they “should” be and are having trouble making decisions which contributes to a cycle of comparing themselves to others and a low sense of self-worth. Clients often describe feeling burnt out from always putting others first which leads to feelings of emptiness and dissatisfaction.
Bringing compassion, expertise, & lived experience to understanding how our brains & bodies respond to challenges- including the chronic health conditions that often accompany grief, complex trauma, & neurodivergence- is the heart of my practice.
More recently, I've been supporting adults with ADHD & late-identified autism, helping them understand their unique flavors of neurodivergence while unpacking years of masking & misunderstandings. I provide strategies for improved executive functioning, greater self-acceptance & self-compassion, & authentic living with a more regulated nervous system.
Bringing compassion, expertise, & lived experience to understanding how our brains & bodies respond to challenges- including the chronic health conditions that often accompany grief, complex trauma, & neurodivergence- is the heart of my practice.
More recently, I've been supporting adults with ADHD & late-identified autism, helping them understand their unique flavors of neurodivergence while unpacking years of masking & misunderstandings. I provide strategies for improved executive functioning, greater self-acceptance & self-compassion, & authentic living with a more regulated nervous system.
Are you grieving a loss?
I provide an empathetic, safe, and nonjudgmental space for you. I am not a blank-slate therapist. I bring my warm, genuine, experienced, and compassionate self to our work. I use a strength-based, integrative approach, utilizing compassion, "real-life" talk, humor, and education to empower you and facilitate change and healing. I'm honored to do this work.
Are you grieving a loss?
I provide an empathetic, safe, and nonjudgmental space for you. I am not a blank-slate therapist. I bring my warm, genuine, experienced, and compassionate self to our work. I use a strength-based, integrative approach, utilizing compassion, "real-life" talk, humor, and education to empower you and facilitate change and healing. I'm honored to do this work.
See more therapy options for Putnam Valley
Nearby Grief Therapists Searches for Putnam Valley
- Cold Spring
- Cortlandt Manor
- Croton Falls
- Garrison
- Highland Falls
- Mahopac
- Mohegan Lake
- Montrose
- Peekskill
- Shrub Oak
- Somers
- Yorktown Heights
Grief Therapists
How long does therapy take for grief?
There is no exact timeline for grief counseling. Some people may start to feel better after just a few sessions, while others may take months or longer to feel relief. Some specific approaches, including some types of CBT, may involve a set number of sessions, or therapy may be open-ended until the patient determines they are ready to wrap up. Just as there is no right or wrong way to grieve, there is no right or wrong way to seek therapy for grief.
When should you seek therapy for grief?
Many people mistakenly believe that their grief needs to be debilitating or all-encompassing to warrant therapy. This is not the case. While people who experience severe, prolonged grief—particularly those who are considering self-harm or engaging in unhealthy substance use—are especially likely to benefit from therapy, so too are people whose grief is less intense but still interfering with well-being or daily functioning. In practice, almost anyone struggling to process a loss could benefit from grief counseling.
Can grief be managed without therapy?
Oftentimes, yes. Grief is a near-universal part of being human, and many find that their grief, while profound, does not stop them from participating in day-to-day life and steadily eases over time without outside help. For others, however, the harsh pain of early grief persists for months or years or leaves them unable to function. This group is especially likely to benefit from seeing a therapist, who can guide them through their grief and help them reconnect with the world.
What happens if grief is left untreated?
Because grief does not in itself necessitate therapy, untreated grief will often resolve on its own. However, for some people—particularly those who would qualify for a diagnosis of prolonged grief disorder—untreated grief can be a source of seemingly endless pain or lead them to withdraw from the world. In such cases, treatment can be indispensable, as it can help an individual adapt to the loss and start living again.