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Offered in-person & online

Our counselors offer grief counseling in Alexandria, VA

Get in-person or online care, and cover the majority of the costs with your insurance.

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707 people sought grief & loss counseling help at Alexandria in the last year

Discover how starting therapy with a grief & loss counseling can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.

Meet with a provider as soon as this week

ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS

Aetna, CareFirst Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia | BCBS HMO, CareFirst Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia | BCBS PPO, +22 more
Coping Skills, Infidelity, Self Esteem, Stress, Women’s Issues, +8 more

79 more therapist available in Virginia

Give us a call to schedule your next appointment, or browse through our full list of available providers.

Dee Jacobi Edwards

Hear from Dee Jacobi Edwards, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

View Dee Jacobi Edwards's profile

What is your go-to approach for grief & loss counseling?

My go-to approach for helping people in grief and loss counseling is talk therapy. I prefer to allow the client to tell me all about what they are grieving—the death of a spouse, family member, loved pet, job, or moving. I enjoy encouraging the client to share happy memories if the grief is about death and dying, or the situation they lost their job, or the reasons they have to move, or whatever it is they feel grief over. I find the best benefit of allowing the client to tell me about their loss is that they know that sharing their memories of the thing they cared about with me means that someone else now knows about it.

What tools do you teach in grief & loss counseling?

I teach the following tools in grief & loss counseling:

  • Empty chair technique - Imagining the deceased person sitting across from them and the client sharing their emotions and the loss of relationship they will experience in future situations.
  • Letter writing - encouraging the client to write a letter to the deceased person or job persona about their feelings, and then burn the letter while imagining the message being carried by the wind to where it needs to go.
  • Discussion of other activities as appropriate to the client and situation, encouraging looking forward to the future. This may take some time and encouragement.

How do you know when a client is making meaningful progress in grief & loss counseling?

I know a client is making meaningful progress in grief & loss counseling when they start the session sharing about how they had a social interaction they had been hesitant about doing, or sharing how they were able to let go of items belonging to the loved one, or began looking for a replacement activity to the job (either a new job or retirement activities).

What can clients do in their personal time to supplement grief & loss counseling?

Clients can supplement their time in grief & loss counseling by journaling their feelings, talking with friends and family about other topics, getting outside in good weather, and reading appropriate supplemental literature.

What should someone do to prepare for starting grief & loss counseling?

To prepare for their first grief & loss counseling session, an individual should have a box of tissues available and understand they will need to tell their story about the loss and what it is they are grieving, along with having a goal to work towards in counseling.

Starting Grief & loss counseling

What type of counseling is needed when a person cannot get over the grief of losing a loved one?

Grief and loss counseling helps people grieve difficult losses including the death of a loved one, the loss of a job, or the end of a relationship. It helps people navigate their grief process and eventually accept, understand, and move forward from their loss. Thriveworks grief therapists in Alexandria, VA have specific experience, training, and skills that enable them to best support grieving individuals.

How does grief and loss counseling work?

Grief and loss counseling isn’t one-size-fits-all, but it involves sharing about your loss and then working with your counselor to acknowledge and accept your new reality in its wake. Your provider at Thriveworks in Alexandria, VA will design your treatment plan around your unique needs and goals for therapy, applying the counseling techniques that best support them.

Signs I should seek grief counseling

If you have recently experienced an event like the death of a loved one, a breakup or divorce, the loss of a job, or another major life change, then you may want to seek grief and loss counseling. Grief can be caused by many experiences and events, so if you feel that you are having trouble moving on from a certain event or find that it is still impacting your life and functioning, grief and loss counseling can help you process it more effectively so that you can move on and once again find fulfillment and satisfaction in your life.

What counseling theory is best for grief?

There are many counseling theories for treating grief, one of the most frequently used being the dual process model of grief which helps people acknowledge who or what they’ve lost through rumination while also adjusting to the new roles and identities that this loss has now placed on them. There are also many commonly used therapy approaches used in grief and loss counseling, including Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and traumatic grief therapy.

Is grief counseling conducted in person or online?

Grief & loss counseling at Thriveworks is conducted both in person and online by video. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you.

How long does grief counseling last?

For many, grief and loss counseling lasts for about 6 months. For others, it may last shorter or longer, depending on the severity of their loss and their grief.

Need more help deciding?

Bereavement and Grief Counseling in Alexandria, VA (Franconia)–Counselors and Therapists

Loss, unfortunately, is a normal part of the human experience, but everybody processes loss differently. Thriveworks Alexandria, VA (Franconia) grief counselors and psychologists understand. We have shepherded many clients as they find healing and rebuild a fulfilling life.

Call our office at (703) 454-8246 to get started today.

Understanding Grief

People often associate grief with the loss of a loved one, but grief can be triggered by any kind of loss. Unfortunately, loss is a normal human experience and very common. Every person experiences loss of something or someone they love. Some of the reasons clients have sought grief counseling at Thriveworks Alexandria include …

  • Loss of a pet
  • Break-up or Divorce
  • Chronic pain or health challenges
  • A disability (permanent or temporary)
  • Life transitions
  • Death of a loved one
  • Loss of independence (especially with age)
  • Job loss

Appointments for Grief Counseling at Thriveworks Alexandria, VA (Franconia)

Would you like help and guidance on your grief journey? The counselors and psychologists at Thriveworks Alexandria, VA (Franconia) are ready to get started.

Do you want to process your grief and build a happier tomorrow? If so, the grief therapists at Thriveworks Alexandria, VA are too. Let’s get started—call (703) 454-8246.

Pricing & insurance

Our therapists accept most major insurances. We accept 585+ insurance plans, and offer self-pay options, too.
Learn more about pricing for therapy and counseling services at Thriveworks.

Our Alexandria therapists and counselors accept 28 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia Medicare Advantage

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | BCBS PPO

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • CareFirst Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia | BCBS HMO

  • CareFirst Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia | BCBS PPO

  • Carelon

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth EAP

  • Cigna | Evernorth Medicare Advantage

  • Compsych

  • First Health Network

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Self-pay costs at Alexandria
Talk therapy

Talk therapy

Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Talk therapy

Psychiatry

Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Hear from our clients

4.9 Learn about verified reviews
★★★★★
I was very satisfied with first session/consultation with my therapist. I feel confident she will address my needs and look forward to working with her.
Read more I was very satisfied with first session/consultation with my therapist. I feel confident she will address my needs and look forward to working with her.
Marjorie Feb 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
At 75 years old and still learning is wonderful. My counselor is simply an outstanding individual and human being. The "bank is closed", I understand more clearly by my counselor who, have been instrumental in " breaking down some walls" in my forward motion and healing from the pain
Read more At 75 years old and still learning is wonderful. My counselor is simply an outstanding individual and human being. The "bank is closed", I understand more clearly by my counselor who, have been instrumental in " breaking down some walls" in my forward motion and healing from the pain
Horace Feb 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Bank closure is fundamentally when a financial institution goes bankrupt; however, parents can't go into bank closure for their children, family, and friends. Nevertheless, parents do close their bank (hearth) to minimize disrespect, abuse, and abundant misuse of LOVE. So I closed my life to abuse, disrespect, and misuse of ❤️
Read more Bank closure is fundamentally when a financial institution goes bankrupt; however, parents can't go into bank closure for their children, family, and friends. Nevertheless, parents do close their bank (hearth) to minimize disrespect, abuse, and abundant misuse of LOVE. So I closed my life to abuse, disrespect, and misuse of ❤️
Horace Jan 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★
I am very happy with my therapist, I would give him 5 Stars but I am handicapped and the facility I go to has No Handicap access, No ramp or elevator and is on the third floor of a three story building.
Read more I am very happy with my therapist, I would give him 5 Stars but I am handicapped and the facility I go to has No Handicap access, No ramp or elevator and is on the third floor of a three story building.
Ed Jan 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
My therapist, Dee Jacobi Edwards, continues to help me deal with my individual struggles in life so that I can achieve peace in dealing with life situations. She is a wonderful therapist.
Read more My therapist, Dee Jacobi Edwards, continues to help me deal with my individual struggles in life so that I can achieve peace in dealing with life situations. She is a wonderful therapist.
Louisa Dec 2023
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★
Love our therapist.
Heidi Dec 2023
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
My daughter's dad and I had a few sessions with Dee Jacobi-Edwards and she was great. She was very neutral and honest with both of us when it came to our disagreements and downfalls. She was also extremely patient with us throughout our sessions. I would absolutely recommend Dee.
Read more My daughter's dad and I had a few sessions with Dee Jacobi-Edwards and she was great. She was very neutral and honest with both of us when it came to our disagreements and downfalls. She was also extremely patient with us throughout our sessions. I would absolutely recommend Dee.
Alexandria Mar 2021
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
I have been battling anxiety and depression for years, and Mary Alice Fields has helped me finally find some relief. She is dedicated to helping her clients live their best possible life, and she has helped me gain some peace in my life. I know she has help countless others, and I would highly recommend her to anyone who suffers from depression or anxiety issues.
Read more I have been battling anxiety and depression for years, and Mary Alice Fields has helped me finally find some relief. She is dedicated to helping her clients live their best possible life, and she has helped me gain some peace in my life. I know she has help countless others, and I would highly recommend her to anyone who suffers from depression or anxiety issues.
Alexandria Jan 2021
Review left on Thriveworks.com

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Alexandria is located off of Franconia Rd., just behind Oak Tree Plaza. We share a building with MRM Associates. Right next door to us is a MakeSpace, and the closest bus stop is at Franconia Rd. & Beulah St.

Phone number

(703) 454-8246

Languages spoken by VA providers

  • Portuguese
  • English
Wednesday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Thursday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Friday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Saturday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Sunday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Monday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Tuesday 8:00am - 9:00pm

Shown in ET

Wednesday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Thursday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Friday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Saturday 7:00am - 6:00pm
Sunday 8:00am - 5:00pm
Monday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Tuesday 7:00am - 9:30pm

Shown in ET

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