Grief Counseling in Mission Viejo and Online Across California

Grief is a natural response to losing someone or something that mattered. It can also be heavier, longer and more confusing than anyone expects. At Integrative Psychiatry & Wellness (IPW Health), our licensed therapists offer grief counseling for adults by secure video across California, from our practice in Mission Viejo. Counseling gives you a steady place to make sense of the loss at your own pace, without pressure to be over it.

There is no right way or timeline to grieve. Our role is to help you carry the loss in a way that lets you keep living, working and connecting with the people around you.

Call (949) 259-5123 See same-week openings

If you are in crisis, call or text 988. You can also call 911. IPW Health is not an emergency service, so please do not wait for a scheduled appointment.

Who grief counseling is for

Grief counseling may help if you are an adult who:

• Has lost a partner, parent, child, friend or pet, recently or years ago
• Is grieving a loss that others may not recognize, such as a pregnancy loss, divorce, estrangement, a job or a diagnosis
• Is caring for someone who is seriously ill and already feels the loss coming
• Lost someone suddenly or in traumatic circumstances
• Feels stuck, numb, guilty or angry, or finds that grief is affecting sleep, work or relationships
• Notices that grief has turned into ongoing low mood or anxiety

How grief counseling works

Grief counseling is not about moving on or forgetting. It is about finding a way to hold the loss and the rest of your life at the same time. Your therapist will tailor the approach to you, which may include:

• Space to talk. A place where your loss is taken seriously and you do not have to perform being okay.
• Making sense of hard feelings. Guilt, regret, anger and relief are common. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) skills can help untangle them.
• Trauma-informed care. When a death was sudden or distressing, our therapists can discuss trauma-focused therapy and EMDR.
• Practical support. Sleep, routines, anniversaries, holidays and returning to work.

Sometimes grief overlaps with depression or anxiety that needs more support. If so, a psychiatric evaluation is available here, and medication management can be part of a plan when clinically appropriate. With your consent, your therapist and psychiatric provider can coordinate your care. If you need time away from work while you recover, ask about our FMLA and disability support.

Couples therapy, in person in Mission Viejo or by telehealth, can also help partners who are grieving the same loss in different ways. See our individual therapy and couples therapy pages for more.

What to expect at your first visit

Your first session typically lasts 45–60 minutes. You do not need to prepare anything or tell the whole story at once. Your therapist will:

• Ask about your loss and what the days have been like since
• Check in on sleep, appetite, work and support from family and friends
• Ask what you hope counseling can help with
• Talk with you about how often to meet, often weekly or every other week at first

It is okay to cry, to be quiet, or to feel nothing much at all. All of it is welcome.

Online grief counseling across California, based in Mission Viejo

Individual grief counseling sessions are held by secure, HIPAA-compliant video for adults located in California at the time of each session, so you can meet from home when leaving the house feels like too much. Our office is at 27201 Puerta Real, Suite 300, Mission Viejo, CA 92691, and we work with clients from across South Orange County, including Laguna Niguel, Lake Forest, Aliso Viejo and San Juan Capistrano.

Insurance and self-pay

We are in network for both therapy and psychiatry with Aetna, Anthem, Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS), Cigna, Medicare, Optum and UnitedHealthcare (UHC). Participation can differ by state and by plan, so our team verifies your benefits before your first visit. Prefer to pay directly? Self-pay is available: a standard psychiatric evaluation is $350 and a follow-up visit is $200. Current therapy session rates are listed on our plans and pricing page.

Same-week appointments

We keep time open for new patients every week, so same-week new-patient appointments are usually available, and same-day visits are sometimes possible when openings allow. Office hours are Monday to Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. You do not have to wait for grief to get worse before reaching out.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if I need grief counseling?

If grief is making it hard to sleep, work, eat or connect with others, or you feel stuck months later, counseling can help. You do not need a certain level of distress to reach out.

How long does grief counseling last?

There is no set length. Some people come for a few months around a recent loss, and others return around anniversaries or later changes. Your therapist will review goals with you.

Can grief counseling be done online?

Yes. Sessions are held by secure video for adults located in California, which many people find easier when they are exhausted or caring for family.

Does insurance cover grief counseling?

Often, yes. We are in network for therapy with Aetna, Anthem, BCBS, Cigna, Medicare, Optum and UnitedHealthcare. Coverage varies by plan, so we verify your benefits before your first session. Self-pay is also available.

What if my grief has turned into depression?

Grief and depression can overlap. Your therapist can help you notice the difference, and a psychiatric evaluation is available here if more support is needed.

Reach out for grief support

Call (949) 259-5123 or send a message. Same-week new-patient appointments are usually available.

Call (949) 259-5123 Contact us