What Happens in a Grief Therapy Session? A Look Inside the Process in Manhattan
Many people I work with tell me they’ve never worked with a therapist before. Even if they have, working with a grief therapist (someone who specializes in loss and mourning) can feel like an entirely different experience.
In this blog, I want to walk you through what the process actually looks like, from the first time you visit my website to what happens in ongoing grief therapy sessions. My goal is to remove the mystery and help you feel more at ease with the idea of beginning grief therapy in Manhattan. I’ll answer the questions I’m most frequently asked, or ones I think you might be wondering about.
And of course, if you have a question I didn’t cover, feel free to email me! I’m always happy to clarify.
My Practice At First Glance
You may have found me through a referral, a friend, or simply by searching online. However you got here, chances are the first place you landed was my website.
My homepage is intentionally crafted to reflect the emotional experiences that often accompany grief and loss, language that might resonate with your own.
On my About Me page, you’ll find a little about my personal and professional background and why I’ve chosen to dedicate my work to this field.
On the Services page, you’ll find detailed information about how I work, the populations I work with, and answers to many commonly asked questions.
My hope is that you’ll feel a sense of familiarity and relief from the very first click.
Reaching Out & Initial Contact
If you decide to reach out, you’ll find several options on the Contact page, whether by phone, text, or email, depending on what feels most comfortable for you. Most people share just a little about what’s going on in their initial message, and that’s more than enough. Something as simple as “Hi, I’m looking for a therapist to help me with X. Do you have availability?” is a perfectly fine way to begin. I know this first step can feel daunting. You don’t need to tell me your life story (unless you want to). We’ll get into the details on the phone.
A new feature on my site allows you to directly schedule a free 15-minute consultation at your convenience, no back-and-forth emails needed! I hope that this makes the process feel a little easier, more streamlined, and more empowering.
Your Free 15-Minute Phone Consultation
This is typically a phone call, though we can FaceTime if that feels more comfortable or gives you a better sense of me. Some people want to get a vibe for how a session might feel, and I totally get that.
During this call, I ask some simple questions to get a better understanding of what you’re looking for and whether I feel confident that I can help. I might ask, “What brings you to grief therapy right now?” or “Have you worked with a grief therapist before?” I like to know what has or hasn’t worked in the past, so I can tailor our work accordingly. If it seems like your needs fall outside my scope of expertise, I will always offer a trusted referral, ensuring you find the right fit is my top priority.
That said, this consultation is just as much for YOU. I want you to get a feel for me: my energy, style, and approach. Does this feel safe? Warm? Comfortable? Can you see yourself opening up to me, even just a little?
You Deserve to Feel Safe, Seen, and Heard
If this is your first time seeking grief therapy, I often encourage you to schedule consultations with a couple of different therapists so that you feel you're making a truly informed decision. I never want you to feel pressured or like you don’t have options. Starting grief therapy in Manhattan is a big step, and the relationship has to feel right, and the strongest indicator of your success and healing. Choosing a grief therapist is often compared to dating, and in some ways, it really is. Just because we connect doesn’t mean you’re “locked in.” I encourage open communication and always want you to feel empowered to speak up if something doesn’t feel like a fit.
At the end of the consultation, I always leave time for your questions. People often ask about my therapeutic style, my experience, what sessions look like, or logistics around cost, scheduling, and virtual versus in-person options. You’re also welcome to check out the FAQ section on my site, which covers many of these.
One final note: I try to model flexibility and communication in our relationship in the same way I hope you experience relationships outside of therapy. Life isn’t black and white, and healing doesn’t happen inside rigid lines. I aim to create a space that reflects that.
Starting Grief Therapy in Manhattan
Once we agree to move forward, I’ll send you a welcome email outlining what to expect. I use a secure client portal called Simple Practice for scheduling, video sessions, and paperwork. Many clients have told me it’s intuitive and easy to use on their end.
You’ll receive standard intake forms to review and sign before our first session: practice policies, consent forms, and HIPAA confidentiality agreements. You’ll also enter some basic demographic and contact information. If you have any questions about the paperwork, I’m happy to go over it during our first appointment or via email/phone beforehand.
Unlike some therapists, I don’t ask you to complete long narrative questionnaires about your background before we meet. I’d much rather hear your story in your own words, at your own pace, or have you repeat yourself in writing and again in session. That initial conversation is far more meaningful than anything typed into a form.
We’ll also land on a consistent weekly time to meet, though I understand things come up and flexibility is always built into my practice, as things may shift on my end or yours. However, I will do what I can to maintain our meeting time, as I know that the expected ritual can be sacred.
A Look at the First Session
Let’s be real – the first session can feel nerve-wracking. Even for me, starting something new can bring on butterflies. And it’s completely normal to feel a little awkward talking to a stranger on a screen about deeply personal matters. I try to put you at ease right away, maybe with a little humor or a grounding comment. I usually adjust my screen view to make your camera larger, so it feels like I’m sitting across from you in a room, not just through a screen.
We begin with some “housekeeping” – I’ll review key policies like confidentiality, scheduling expectations, and how we’ll communicate outside of sessions. After that, we begin our initial assessment. These first 1–2 sessions are structured a bit differently from ongoing grief therapy as I’ll be asking more questions to get a broad, well-rounded understanding of your emotional, psychological, and relational landscape.
Some of the areas we’ll explore include:
Family of origin and childhood experiences.
Medical and mental health history.
Previous experiences with therapy.
Current supports and coping strategies.
Trauma history, if and when you’re ready.
Daily life stressors and how grief is showing up for you.
You can answer in story form, skip anything that feels like too much, and share at your own pace. I always emphasize that trust takes time, and there’s no rush. You won’t be expected to disclose more than you feel ready to share. At the end of the session, I always ask: “Is there anything important I didn’t ask that you think I should know?”
Setting Goals That Feel True to You
One key element of our work is goal-setting. I want to understand your priorities. Some people come in with clear goals like, “I want to stop feeling so angry all the time,” or “I want to sleep again.” Others just know they’re in pain and want to feel more like themselves. Either way, I’ll be listening for themes and potential goals as you speak, and I’ll offer these back to you to make sure they resonate. These goals are always co-created; you are in the driver’s seat. We’ll rank them by importance and revisit them over time, especially on days when it feels hard to know what to talk about.
Although our work will center on grief, I will ask you about many parts of your life. Your loss is a major chapter, but it’s not the whole story. You are a full person, and I want to understand you as such.
Ongoing Grief Therapy Sessions
I often get questions about in-person vs. virtual sessions. This is a common question, and I want to address it directly. At this time, my practice is fully virtual. I find virtual therapy incredibly effective for many reasons, with convenience being a major one. No need to commute during a thunderstorm or miss a session due to a last-minute work call. My clients often appreciate the flexibility and consistency this allows.
That said, I’m mindful that some nuances of in-person interaction are different. There’s a particular kind of presence that comes with being in the same room. But virtual therapy has its own form of intimacy. A colleague once shared that during a video session, her client began to cry softly. Because the camera was zoomed in on the client’s face, she noticed a single tear she might have missed in person. Sometimes, the closeness of the screen brings an unexpected kind of connection.
Still, if you strongly prefer in-person grief therapy, I absolutely understand and can offer referrals to trusted colleagues who meet in person.
Beyond the Basics: Honoring Grief in Real Time
Once we move beyond the intake sessions, grief therapy becomes more free-flowing. I start each session by checking in: “What’s been coming up for you this week?” Some weeks, your grief may feel overwhelming. Other times, it might feel quieter, eclipsed by other challenges.
Our work is always client-centered. If you're open to it, I like to integrate some cognitive-behavioral (CBT) tools early in our work. Understanding how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are interconnected can offer a powerful foundation. I may offer worksheets or talk through cognitive distortions, but only if this aligns with your needs and preferences. If CBT isn’t your thing, that’s perfectly okay – we’ll work in a way that feels right for you.
When working with grief, I like to gently explore how you honor your loved one, whether that be in rituals, spiritual practices, or even subtle daily gestures. I want to know the name of the person who died. I invite stories and memories whenever you feel ready to share them. Grief is not something we “get over,” but something we integrate. I want to help you carry your grief in a way that feels more manageable, more meaningful.
Final Thoughts from a Grief Therapist in Manhattan
Starting therapy, especially grief therapy in Manhattan, is a courageous step. Whether you’re fresh in your grief or living with a loss that occurred years ago, you deserve space to be seen, heard, and supported. My goal is to walk beside you, not to fix you or push you, but to meet you where you are and help you navigate the path forward.
If you’re considering reaching out, I hope this post gives you a clearer picture of what to expect. And if you’re already in touch, I’m looking forward to connecting more deeply.
Grief is a unique and deeply personal journey, but you don’t have to walk it alone.
Find Compassionate Support with Grief Therapy in Manhattan
When you're grieving, it can feel like no one sees what you're carrying. In the quiet space of grief therapy, you don’t have to explain it all at once. You just have to begin. Whether you're facing recent loss or carrying pain that’s lingered, grief therapy in Manhattan offers a space where your emotions are welcome, your story is honored, and there’s no pressure to “move on.”
In each session, we’ll move at your pace by gently exploring your experience, naming what feels heavy, and finding ways to stay connected to what matters most. You don’t have to go through this alone. Here’s how to start:
Schedule a free 15-minute consultation to talk about your experience and explore whether grief therapy in Manhattan is a good fit for you.
Book your first grief therapy session and begin creating a safe, supportive space to process your loss and emotions.
Start finding steadiness as we work together to navigate your grief with care, clarity, and compassion.
About the Author: A Grief Therapist for Young Adults in NYC
Natalie Greenberg, LCSW, is a compassionate grief counselor for young adults in NYC who works primarily with individuals coping with loss. Her personal experience with grief, after losing her mother to suicide at age 23, led her to seek healing through therapy and support groups, and ultimately inspired her to help others navigate their own paths through grief.
Natalie earned her Master’s in Social Work from New York University and completed a post-master’s certification in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Over the past ten years, she has gained clinical experience in diverse settings, including Bellevue Hospital’s Psychiatric ER, leadership roles at Mount Sinai Hospital, and NYU’s Student Health Center. With warmth, insight, and humor, Natalie creates a supportive space for clients to process loss and move toward healing. She currently offers virtual grief therapy to clients across New York State.