GRIEF THERAPIST SAN DIEGO
Grief Counseling in California
Grief is a very natural response to losing someone or something that’s important to you.
It can manifest in many different ways, affecting an individual's emotional, psychological, and even physical well-being, but by seeking support you can heal.

The 6 Stages of Grief
Losing a loved one can feel as if you're drifting in a storm. While we cannot still the waves of grief, working with a grief therapist like Katherine Crusey, LMFT in San Diego can change how you weather the storm. Partnering with an expert psychotherapist like Katherine Crusey who understands grief counseling has helped her California clients accelerate their path toward healing.
Shock
The initial stage when someone first learn about the loss involving numbed disbelief in response to news of the loss. It's an emotional buffer to prevent feeling overwhelmed.
Denial
Entails refuting the reality of the loss or any associated feelings. After the shock, and the individual accepts reality, they can move forward through the healing process.
Anger
Feelings of frustration, resentment, or even rage directed at oneself, others like the person who died, doctors, or even religious entities. It's important to address anger.
Bargaining
A stage where people may dwell on “what if” scenarios and attempt to make deals in hopes of reversing the loss and relieving pain. Guilt often accompanies this stage.
Acceptance
A gradual coming to terms with the loss and beginning to adapt to life without the deceased. They are not OK with it, but realize the loss is their new reality.
Shock
The initial stage when someone first learn about the loss involving numbed disbelief in response to news of the loss. It's an emotional buffer to prevent feeling overwhelmed.
Denial
Entails refuting the reality of the loss or any associated feelings. After the shock, and the individual accepts reality, they can move forward through the healing process.
Anger
Feelings of frustration, resentment, or even rage directed at oneself, others like the person who died, doctors, or even religious entities. It's important to address anger.
Bargaining
A stage where people may dwell on “what if” scenarios and attempt to make deals in hopes of reversing the loss and relieving pain. Guilt often accompanies this stage.
Acceptance
A gradual coming to terms with the loss and beginning to adapt to life without the deceased. They are not OK with it, but realize the loss is their new reality.
Treatment Methods
Grief therapist Katherine Crusey, LMFT uses various therapeutic approaches for clients in San Diego to help individuals process loss and cope with emotional distress. The specific type of therapy and grief counseling she uses in California depends on the individual's needs, and severity of their grief. Some of the common therapies she uses include the following.
Therapies for grief and loss:
- Complicated Grief Therapy
- Acceptance and Commitment
- Mindfulness-Based Therapy
- Psychodynamic Therapy
- Interpersonal Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Trauma-Focused
