Father’s Day and Grief Collide: How to Get Through It with a Grief Counselor for Young Adults in NYC
Like Mother’s Day, Father’s Day can bring up a swirl of mixed emotions, especially when grief is present. Whether you're mourning the death of your father, grieving the relationship you wish you had, or struggling with the absence of a father figure entirely, this day can feel deeply complicated.
While many people spend the day posting heartfelt tributes and “best dad ever” messages, others are quietly enduring a sense of pain, loss, or longing. If you fall into the latter category, you're not alone. Holidays like this tend to highlight what’s missing. The images and messages we see online or in stores often serve as painful reminders of who we’ve lost, or never even had to begin with.
If you're finding it difficult to navigate these emotions, especially in early adulthood when so many milestones feel tied to parental presence, working with a grief counselor for young adults in NYC can be incredibly grounding. Having a safe, understanding space through grief therapy in NYC may help you move through this season with more self-compassion and support.
It’s Okay to Not Be Okay This Father’s Day
If this is your first Father’s Day following the death of your father, please be especially gentle with yourself. The first year after a loss is often filled with “firsts” that can feel raw and disorienting. You might experience a mix of numbness, sadness, anger, or even guilt – whatever comes up is valid. And for some, grief doesn't come in the first year, but arrives later, when the emotional dust has settled. There’s no one right timeline or way to grieve.
It’s also important to acknowledge the vast range of father experiences that people carry. Some fathers were incredibly nurturing and present. Others were physically there but emotionally distant. Some were absent, abusive, or simply unable to meet their children's needs. And for many, the grief isn’t just about someone who has died, it’s about the father they never had. The grief of unmet expectations or unrealized potential can be just as profound as the loss of a beloved parent.
The Evolving Landscape of Fatherhood and Loss
As a grief counselor in NYC, I hear from clients all the time about the wide spectrum of father stories: dads who were superheroes, dads who disappeared, dads who tried and missed the mark, dads who were deeply flawed but deeply loved, and dads whose absence is felt as a form of relief. Grief, like fatherhood, rarely fits into neat categories.
It’s worth noting that fatherhood itself has evolved. Today’s dads are, in many cases, more emotionally involved and hands-on than previous generations. Since the pandemic, especially, many fathers have taken on more day-to-day caregiving roles. And yet, there are still pervasive cultural messages that celebrate fathers in ways that can feel oversimplified or disconnected from reality. These messages can be particularly painful for those whose experiences of fatherhood don’t match the idyllic image that’s so often portrayed.
Honoring Your Grief in Your Own Way
So what can you do if Father’s Day is a source of pain for you? Here are a few suggestions to help you navigate the day:
1. Limit Social Media Exposure
You don’t need to scroll through everyone’s Father’s Day posts. Permit yourself to step away from social media, even if just for the day. It’s okay to protect your emotional space.
2. Honor the Day in a Way That Feels Right to You
There’s no “correct” way to spend Father’s Day. You might light a candle, write a letter, look through old photos, or visit a special place. Or you might choose not to acknowledge the day at all.
3. Reflect on Alternative Father Figures
Is there someone in your life, such as an uncle, teacher, coach, neighbor, or family friend, who offered you guidance or care in a way that felt “fatherly”? Sometimes, honoring those relationships can be a helpful reframe.
4. Let Yourself Feel Whatever Comes Up
Grief isn’t linear. Anger, sadness, gratitude, numbness – these feelings can all coexist. Try not to judge your emotional responses. Simply noticing and allowing them can be healing in itself.
5. Reach Out for Support
If you’re struggling, don’t hesitate to lean on your support system or talk to a grief counselor for young adults in NYC. Grief can be isolating, but it doesn’t have to be faced alone. Specialized grief counseling is available.
Father’s Day can stir up emotions you didn’t expect, even years after a loss or estrangement. Be kind to yourself. Permit yourself to skip the card aisle, ignore the brunch plans, or do something entirely different. Your experience is yours.
Find Support This Father’s Day with a Grief Therapist in NYC
Father’s Day can stir up emotions you didn’t expect, and that’s okay. Whether you're facing fresh grief or carrying the weight of loss for years, you don’t have to navigate it alone. Working with a grief counselor for young adults in NYC can offer a supportive space to process your pain, honor your memories, and begin to heal at your own pace.
Here’s how to take the first step:
Book a free 15-minute consultation to talk about what you’re feeling and learn how grief counseling can support you.
Schedule your first grief therapy session with a compassionate grief counselor for young adults in NYC.
Begin finding steadiness in your grief, with support that helps you move forward while honoring your loss.
About the Author: A Grief Counselor for Young Adults in NYC
Natalie Greenberg, LCSW, is a compassionate grief therapist in NYC who specializes in supporting young adults through the emotional challenges of loss. Her personal experience with the sudden loss of her mother to suicide at age 23 deeply shaped her path and fuels her commitment to helping others find healing. Natalie holds a Master’s degree in Social Work from NYU and has advanced training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
With more than ten years of clinical experience, including work in Bellevue Hospital’s psychiatric ER, leadership at Mount Sinai, and support services at NYU’s Student Health Center, Natalie blends clinical skill with heartfelt understanding. She currently offers virtual sessions, making grief therapy accessible to clients across New York State.