Grief Therapists in Portland, OR
I have worked extensively in all aspects of mental and emotional challenges with a specialty in life’s most profound loss: death and dying.
"Only when we are brave enough to explore darkness will we discover infinite power of our light - B.B". Through a healthier understanding of our patterns and past we will gain the ultimate goal of therapy: unconditional self-acceptance. I create a safe and respectful space for us to explore ways to reduce your suffering, while creating alignment and joy in yourself and your relationships. I continue to be inspired by the work and the progress I see my clients make every day. My goal is to empower my clients and provide them with the support and tools they need to move forward, feeling more insightful, intentional, and fulfilled.
I have worked extensively in all aspects of mental and emotional challenges with a specialty in life’s most profound loss: death and dying.
"Only when we are brave enough to explore darkness will we discover infinite power of our light - B.B". Through a healthier understanding of our patterns and past we will gain the ultimate goal of therapy: unconditional self-acceptance. I create a safe and respectful space for us to explore ways to reduce your suffering, while creating alignment and joy in yourself and your relationships. I continue to be inspired by the work and the progress I see my clients make every day. My goal is to empower my clients and provide them with the support and tools they need to move forward, feeling more insightful, intentional, and fulfilled.
We can all react to situations and make things worse rather than better. Where we end up nurturing our anger or hurt or our pain rather than finding a path to repair. At those times we need support to build new paths in our brain and new responses that help us move towards rather than away from healthy or new adaptive patterns.. The change begins with believing in our own self worth, rather than something acquired. This work allows us to develop relational integrity and build human connections that are lasting and healthy. It also helps us face those situations that have overwhelmed our coping and feel intolerable.
We can all react to situations and make things worse rather than better. Where we end up nurturing our anger or hurt or our pain rather than finding a path to repair. At those times we need support to build new paths in our brain and new responses that help us move towards rather than away from healthy or new adaptive patterns.. The change begins with believing in our own self worth, rather than something acquired. This work allows us to develop relational integrity and build human connections that are lasting and healthy. It also helps us face those situations that have overwhelmed our coping and feel intolerable.
I specialize in trauma, life transitions, and grief, with a focus on cultivating self-compassion.
As a compassionate therapist, I provide a safe, non-judgmental space where trust can grow. I support individuals and couples navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, and life transitions. Therapy is a collaborative journey toward clarity, confidence, and self-acceptance, with self-compassion at its core. Together, we’ll explore your experiences with curiosity, identify patterns, and foster a kinder relationship with yourself. My goal is to empower you with practical coping skills, resilience, and meaningful growth.
I specialize in trauma, life transitions, and grief, with a focus on cultivating self-compassion.
As a compassionate therapist, I provide a safe, non-judgmental space where trust can grow. I support individuals and couples navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, and life transitions. Therapy is a collaborative journey toward clarity, confidence, and self-acceptance, with self-compassion at its core. Together, we’ll explore your experiences with curiosity, identify patterns, and foster a kinder relationship with yourself. My goal is to empower you with practical coping skills, resilience, and meaningful growth.
I work with adults experiencing grief, loss, depression, anxiety, boundary difficulties, major life transitions, and trauma, and I am deeply committed to advocating for LGBTQIA+ and other marginalized communities.
I have nearly a decade of professional and volunteer experience supporting individuals through grief and loss, honoring the complexity that comes with this process. I take a holistic approach to therapy, caring for the whole person while remaining mindful of how identity, health, culture, inequality, and lived experience can shape emotional well-being.
I work with adults experiencing grief, loss, depression, anxiety, boundary difficulties, major life transitions, and trauma, and I am deeply committed to advocating for LGBTQIA+ and other marginalized communities.
I have nearly a decade of professional and volunteer experience supporting individuals through grief and loss, honoring the complexity that comes with this process. I take a holistic approach to therapy, caring for the whole person while remaining mindful of how identity, health, culture, inequality, and lived experience can shape emotional well-being.
I am experienced in helping folks with trauma, anxiety, depression, grief and loss, and life transitions.
I utilize Attachment-Focused EMDR (AF-EMDR) to process trauma or stressors. AF-EMDR is effective for PTSD and C-PTSD; it is also useful to process and move through depression, anxiety, and grief experiences. For other moments during therapy, I utilize narrative therapy to help navigate the nuances and specifics of your unique lived experience.
I am experienced in helping folks with trauma, anxiety, depression, grief and loss, and life transitions.
I utilize Attachment-Focused EMDR (AF-EMDR) to process trauma or stressors. AF-EMDR is effective for PTSD and C-PTSD; it is also useful to process and move through depression, anxiety, and grief experiences. For other moments during therapy, I utilize narrative therapy to help navigate the nuances and specifics of your unique lived experience.
Valerie True, LCSW, working with adults 18 and older, focuses on life transitions, chronic and new medical diagnoses, grief and loss, caregiver issues, aging-related issues, work-related issues, stress, depression, and the growing pains of life.
During our sessions, we will talk about your goals, explore what is working and what is not, move towards increasing self-awareness, and work together to create actionable steps that support your growth. We will go at a pace that feels appropriate to your situation, and frequency of sessions that meets your needs.
Valerie True, LCSW, working with adults 18 and older, focuses on life transitions, chronic and new medical diagnoses, grief and loss, caregiver issues, aging-related issues, work-related issues, stress, depression, and the growing pains of life.
During our sessions, we will talk about your goals, explore what is working and what is not, move towards increasing self-awareness, and work together to create actionable steps that support your growth. We will go at a pace that feels appropriate to your situation, and frequency of sessions that meets your needs.
Are you overwhelmed with grief resulting from a death or other loss?
I offer a safe, nonjudgmental space where you can process your thoughts and emotions and be heard and understood. Through our work together, I will help you let go of thoughts and behaviors that no longer serve you and support you in gain coping skills to help you better manage stressful situations and relationships.
Are you overwhelmed with grief resulting from a death or other loss?
I offer a safe, nonjudgmental space where you can process your thoughts and emotions and be heard and understood. Through our work together, I will help you let go of thoughts and behaviors that no longer serve you and support you in gain coping skills to help you better manage stressful situations and relationships.
Feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or searching for deeper meaning in your life? Therapy can provide a safe space to explore your inner world, understand patterns that no longer serve you, and develop tools for greater clarity and self-compassion. Many struggles are shaped by difficult experiences and adaptations we made to cope. When those strategies stop working, therapy can support healing, growth, and intentional change.
Feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or searching for deeper meaning in your life? Therapy can provide a safe space to explore your inner world, understand patterns that no longer serve you, and develop tools for greater clarity and self-compassion. Many struggles are shaped by difficult experiences and adaptations we made to cope. When those strategies stop working, therapy can support healing, growth, and intentional change.
I offer a supportive space for adults navigating new or chronic illness, grief and loss, and life transitions.
I believe the heart of therapy lies in connection. I strive to create a space where you feel truly seen and heard. I work with diverse populations, including LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, neurodivergent (ND), and neurotypical (NT) individuals. My areas of specialization include coping with new or chronic health conditions, grief and loss, and life transitions.
I offer a supportive space for adults navigating new or chronic illness, grief and loss, and life transitions.
I believe the heart of therapy lies in connection. I strive to create a space where you feel truly seen and heard. I work with diverse populations, including LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, neurodivergent (ND), and neurotypical (NT) individuals. My areas of specialization include coping with new or chronic health conditions, grief and loss, and life transitions.
Catherine Dahrens-Epperly
Licensed Professional Counselor, MS, NCC, LPC
5 Endorsed
Portland, OR 97212
The potential loss you never want to acknowledge.
You need to hear that what you are feeling is normal for the loss and that there is no expectation from me that you 'get over it', 'move on already', and 'be thankful for what you still have.' Grief doesn't resolve as quickly as we wish it would. If we are not healthy in how we approach grief it is easy to get 'stuck' and fall into unhealthy coping.
The potential loss you never want to acknowledge.
You need to hear that what you are feeling is normal for the loss and that there is no expectation from me that you 'get over it', 'move on already', and 'be thankful for what you still have.' Grief doesn't resolve as quickly as we wish it would. If we are not healthy in how we approach grief it is easy to get 'stuck' and fall into unhealthy coping.
Have you experienced a recent or difficult loss?
I bridge clinical care with integrated healing. I am an LCSW, social worker and Yoga teacher. I use evidence based mindfulness practices, family systems theory, narrative therapy and attachment style to support clients. As a hospice medical social worker I also specialize in grief and loss, issues with older adults for self or family members.
Have you experienced a recent or difficult loss?
I bridge clinical care with integrated healing. I am an LCSW, social worker and Yoga teacher. I use evidence based mindfulness practices, family systems theory, narrative therapy and attachment style to support clients. As a hospice medical social worker I also specialize in grief and loss, issues with older adults for self or family members.
Dear Potential Client!
Have you lost someone and can't seem to move on? Do you find that unresolved abuse issues still bother you and get in the way of daily functioning? Are you not able to create the intimacy and closeness you desire in relationships and find yourself repeating the same patterns that you know don't work? Is your confidence level not where you want it to be? Do you and your partner struggle with how to best parent? Is anxiety and depression causing you to isolate, worry a lot, lose sleep, feel hopeless? I can help!
Dear Potential Client!
Have you lost someone and can't seem to move on? Do you find that unresolved abuse issues still bother you and get in the way of daily functioning? Are you not able to create the intimacy and closeness you desire in relationships and find yourself repeating the same patterns that you know don't work? Is your confidence level not where you want it to be? Do you and your partner struggle with how to best parent? Is anxiety and depression causing you to isolate, worry a lot, lose sleep, feel hopeless? I can help!
These often times include a loss of safety, confusing emotional experiences, and difficulty creating and maintaining healthy long term relationships.
I specialize in restoring relationships. This includes relationships with others, and yourself. I do this by helping you understand things that are outside of your awareness so that you may become more empowered and intentional rather than limited and reactive toward yourself and others.
These often times include a loss of safety, confusing emotional experiences, and difficulty creating and maintaining healthy long term relationships.
I specialize in restoring relationships. This includes relationships with others, and yourself. I do this by helping you understand things that are outside of your awareness so that you may become more empowered and intentional rather than limited and reactive toward yourself and others.
Your issues may include not feeling like yourself, feeling stuck, grieving a loss, feeling flat, numb, or disconnected, sensing that something is missing or off, struggling with identity or life transitions, being in need of support in parenting, or just sensing that this is important somehow.
Our work will bring you back to your center, wholeness, and new possibilities by providing corrective and missing experiences, acceptance, and connection through mindful, experiential, supportive and body-based therapies.
Your issues may include not feeling like yourself, feeling stuck, grieving a loss, feeling flat, numb, or disconnected, sensing that something is missing or off, struggling with identity or life transitions, being in need of support in parenting, or just sensing that this is important somehow.
Our work will bring you back to your center, wholeness, and new possibilities by providing corrective and missing experiences, acceptance, and connection through mindful, experiential, supportive and body-based therapies.
Sandra works with individuals who are looking to gain insight into themselves and improve their quality of life. She seeks to understand each individual holistically, including their backgrounds and the strengths they already possess to provide an individualized approach. Sandra believes that establishing a strong alliance with her clients is essential to getting the most out of therapy and creating lasting change. Through this alliance, she partners with her clients to explore and address thought and behavior patterns that serve as barriers to enjoying life fully.
Sandra works with individuals who are looking to gain insight into themselves and improve their quality of life. She seeks to understand each individual holistically, including their backgrounds and the strengths they already possess to provide an individualized approach. Sandra believes that establishing a strong alliance with her clients is essential to getting the most out of therapy and creating lasting change. Through this alliance, she partners with her clients to explore and address thought and behavior patterns that serve as barriers to enjoying life fully.
Many people reach out to my clinic for help with the following challenges: Depression • Anger Management • Anxiety/Panic Disorder • Eating Disorders • PTSD • Loss and Grief • Divorce counseling & Co-Parenting • Brief Strategic Family Therapy • Collaborative Problem Solving • Multidimensional Family Therapy • Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)
In my practice, I provide compassionate and holistic mental health care tailored to your unique needs. With expertise in a wide range of therapeutic interventions, I offer Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Trauma-Informed Therapy, and Couples/Family Therapy.
Many people reach out to my clinic for help with the following challenges: Depression • Anger Management • Anxiety/Panic Disorder • Eating Disorders • PTSD • Loss and Grief • Divorce counseling & Co-Parenting • Brief Strategic Family Therapy • Collaborative Problem Solving • Multidimensional Family Therapy • Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)
In my practice, I provide compassionate and holistic mental health care tailored to your unique needs. With expertise in a wide range of therapeutic interventions, I offer Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Trauma-Informed Therapy, and Couples/Family Therapy.
Grief processing and depressive/anxiety reducing modalities.
It is an honor to journey with individuals who want guidance through life’s obstacles. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who enjoys working with individuals to meet their personal successes. I believe the true essence of therapy is listening to one’s story, strategizing what is working, and navigating through what is not. You are the expert of your life and I am the guide. I love being curious, asking clarifying questions and watching clients be successful. I am also a Oregon certified CSWA supervisor.
Grief processing and depressive/anxiety reducing modalities.
It is an honor to journey with individuals who want guidance through life’s obstacles. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who enjoys working with individuals to meet their personal successes. I believe the true essence of therapy is listening to one’s story, strategizing what is working, and navigating through what is not. You are the expert of your life and I am the guide. I love being curious, asking clarifying questions and watching clients be successful. I am also a Oregon certified CSWA supervisor.
I offer anxiety therapy, grief counseling, and support through life transitions in a way that’s grounded, compassionate, and tailored to your needs.
In practice, I like to "meet you where you are", tailoring our sessions and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life- whether it's through improving relationships, getting "unstuck", or resolving issues from the past- takes courage.
I offer anxiety therapy, grief counseling, and support through life transitions in a way that’s grounded, compassionate, and tailored to your needs.
In practice, I like to "meet you where you are", tailoring our sessions and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life- whether it's through improving relationships, getting "unstuck", or resolving issues from the past- takes courage.
You don’t have to navigate OCD or grief alone.
My approach integrates evidence-based modalities like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), tailored to your unique needs. I also draw from Internal Family Systems (IFS) to help you explore the parts of yourself that carry pain so you can move toward self-compassion.
You don’t have to navigate OCD or grief alone.
My approach integrates evidence-based modalities like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), tailored to your unique needs. I also draw from Internal Family Systems (IFS) to help you explore the parts of yourself that carry pain so you can move toward self-compassion.
I specialize in helping neurodivergent adults who are struggling with trauma, grief, or burnout to find relief from the past, lean into what fulfills them, heal from what doesn’t, and meet it all with curiosity, compassion, and a little humor when needed.
I have always been drawn toward people’s stories and how people express what’s hard to say with art, poetry, music, and the language we choose, long before I knew I wanted to be a therapist. I view the therapeutic relationship as the medium to express what’s hard to say, where I help make sense of patterns that have kept people stuck, work through what’s heavy without being swallowed by it, and shift away from carrying it all on their own. I combine a relational, grounded, and authentic approach through somatic, attachment, and depth-oriented therapies to create a healing environment for clients to feel seen, heard, and understood.
I specialize in helping neurodivergent adults who are struggling with trauma, grief, or burnout to find relief from the past, lean into what fulfills them, heal from what doesn’t, and meet it all with curiosity, compassion, and a little humor when needed.
I have always been drawn toward people’s stories and how people express what’s hard to say with art, poetry, music, and the language we choose, long before I knew I wanted to be a therapist. I view the therapeutic relationship as the medium to express what’s hard to say, where I help make sense of patterns that have kept people stuck, work through what’s heavy without being swallowed by it, and shift away from carrying it all on their own. I combine a relational, grounded, and authentic approach through somatic, attachment, and depth-oriented therapies to create a healing environment for clients to feel seen, heard, and understood.
See more therapy options for Portland
Nearby Grief Therapists Searches for Portland
- Aloha
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- Happy Valley
- King City
- Lake Oswego
- Milwaukie
- Oak Grove
- Tigard
- West Linn
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.