Grief
Therapy

in Pleasant Hill and Alamo, CA

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Explore Our Specializations

Grief is often portrayed as a series of neatly defined stages while in reality, it’s much more complex and unpredictable. The idea that grief is just about moving through stages in some methodical way can create unrealistic expectations and add pressure to an already devastating experience. Grief isn’t something you just 'get over; it’s a deeply personal journey with its own rhythm.

What can be more useful, particularly with grief support, are the tasks of mourning — steps that can help you process, adapt, and heal at your own pace and timeline. This can involve honoring the memories of your loved one, learning how to integrate the loss into your life, or finding joy and purpose amidst the pain.

Anniversaries, birthdays, and significant dates can also bring a flood of emotions. We explore manageable ways to cope, whether it’s creating space for reflection and a solid support system, or allowing yourself to skip certain traditions without guilt or worry. We focus on what you need in the moments you're in with space to grieve in your own way. So that you can embrace the future or just the next day with genuine hope and peace.

What we help with:

Mental Health: depression, anxiety, OCD, bipolar disorder, PTSD
Addiction: alcohol/drug concerns, gambling, compulsive behaviors
Relationships: marriage struggles, family conflicts, patterns overall
Stress: career pressures, overwhelm, stress management
Grief and Loss: coping with death, divorce, major life changes
Self-Esteem: low self-worth and building a positive self-image
Behavioral: anger management, emotional regulation, impulsivity
Personal growth: self-discovery, goals, healthy choices
Physical: chronic illness, pain management, health conditions

Shalini Vincent

grief healing is less about letting go and more about healthy ways to hold on to the love and memories that remain

In-Network With:

Our Preferred Evidence-Based Treatments

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is an empirically supported treatment that helps change distressing thought patterns that contribute to anxiety and depression. Through CBT, you'll learn to identify and challenge negative thoughts, reframe irrational beliefs, and replace them with healthier, more realistic perspectives. CBT also focuses on breaking patterns of self-doubt and worry by learning how to re-evaluate situations and adopt more constructive thinking. These tools empower you to make lasting changes in how you think and respond.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) combines cognitive-behavioral techniques with mindfulness principles to help individuals manage emotions, navigate challenges, and improve relationships. It focuses on four key areas: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. By building these skills, DBT empowers individuals to replace destructive patterns with practical, lasting strategies that promote resilience, balance, and a greater sense of control in daily life.
TF-CBT helps by combining practical coping skills with gradual exposure to difficult memories. It starts by teaching relaxation techniques, emotional regulation, and ways to challenge unhelpful thoughts. Once a strong foundation is built, individuals slowly and safely process their trauma with the support of a therapist. This approach reduces fear and distress, strengthens personal resilience, and fosters healthier ways of thinking and relating to others.
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) is a short-term, goal-oriented approach that emphasizes finding practical solutions. It focuses on what you want to achieve, guiding you to take clear steps toward your goals. By building on your strengths, SFBT encourages you to do more of what works and change what doesn't. This effective, time-efficient approach ensures rapid progress while fostering long-term results.
Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a proven, client-centered approach designed to help individuals overcome ambivalence and create lasting change. It focuses on exploring personal motivations and values, guiding clients to take actionable steps toward their goals. MI is highly effective in treating issues like addiction, unhealthy behaviors, and low motivation by strengthening confidence and commitment, empowering clients to drive their own positive transformations.
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) is a proven approach that that helps couples break negative cycles and strengthen emotional bonds. In therapy, partners identify patterns of conflict and learn techniques like emotional validation and replacing reactive behaviors with empathetic responses. EFT targets underlying emotional triggers, promoting healthier attachment while deepening intimacy. It’s particularly effective for couples facing disconnection, insecurity, and trust issues, leading to genuine understanding and lasting change. This therapy is effective for emotional withdrawal, fear of abandonment, and attachment wounds, creating stronger, more secure relationships.