Grief Counseling Online in New York
Grief does not follow a schedule. It can arrive all at once after a death, or build slowly after a diagnosis, a breakup, the end of a career or the loss of a community. Some days it is loud. Other days it sits quietly underneath everything.
I’m Scott Whipple, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in New York with over 20 years as a clinician. I offer grief counseling online to adults across New York State who want a steady place to make sense of a loss.
Grief and loss come in many forms
Most people think of grief after a death, and that is a large part of this work. Grief also follows other losses that people sometimes feel they are not allowed to mourn.
- The death of a partner, parent, child, friend or pet
- Losses connected to illness, including HIV and other long-term conditions
- The end of a relationship or marriage
- Losing a job, a role or a sense of who you were
- Estrangement from family or community
- Grief that is years old and still feels unfinished
How I work with grief
There is no correct way to grieve and no timeline you have to meet. My job is not to move you past your loss. It is to help you carry it in a way that lets you keep living. We talk about the person or the life you lost, and about what has been hardest since.
Grief lives in the body too. It can show up as exhaustion, a heavy chest, trouble sleeping or feeling numb. I use somatic awareness from my Somatic Experiencing training, along with mindfulness, to help you notice those responses and let them settle. When a loss was sudden or traumatic, EMDR therapy can help with images and memories that keep replaying.
Over time, many people find they can hold both the pain of the loss and a connection to what mattered about it.
Who this is for
I work with adults in New York State, by video. Some people come in soon after a death. Others come years later, when they notice that an old loss still shapes how they live. I have worked for many years in LGBTQ communities and with people living with HIV, where grief has often been heavy and repeated.
To begin, request an appointment or call (917) 570-0053.
Questions about grief counseling
When should I see a grief counselor?
There is no wrong time. Some people want support right after a loss, while others reach out months or years later. It can help to talk to someone if grief is making it hard to work, sleep or connect with people, if you feel stuck in the same painful thoughts, or if you simply do not want to carry it alone.
What is the difference between grief and depression?
Grief and depression share symptoms like sadness, poor sleep and low energy. Grief usually comes in waves tied to the loss, with moments of relief or warm memory in between. Depression tends to be more constant and can include a broader sense of worthlessness. They can overlap, and a therapist can help you sort out what you are experiencing.
Can grief counseling be done online?
Yes. Grief counseling by video can feel more comfortable for some people, because you can talk from your own home and take a moment afterward without a commute. I see all clients online, and the body-based parts of my work, like noticing breath and sensation, work well over video.
Ready to talk about starting therapy?
Call (917) 570-0053 or send a short message. Sessions are by video for adults in New York State.