Care without the wait

4 licensed therapists & providers in Maine—4 in Portland. Available as soon as today, in person and online

Therapy for every life stage

Our providers work with individuals, couples, families, & teens for anxiety, depression, grief, & more

#1 for in-network coverage

We accept UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, BCBS Plans, Humana, Aetna, & many more. Self-pay options available, no membership fees

Patients who get better

94% of patients feel truly understood by their provider. 3 out of 4 see improvement in depression & anxiety symptoms within 3 months

686,000 people sought help with Thriveworks in the last year

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

Meet with a grief counselor as soon as this week

Doreen Peasley is a licensed Marriage Family Therapist in both Maine and California. In her over forty years as a licensed Marriag...

Read more

I specialize in meeting my clients where they're at in life....

Read more

I believe that our close collaboration is the key to helping you adjust to difficult experiences and achieve a greater sense of ba...

Read more

Justin Michaud is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LCPC) with over 7 years of professional experience working with clie...

Read more
Monique Nickie Murray

Hear from Monique Nickie Murray, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC)

View Monique Nickie Murray'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 CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy). This allows me to understand the nature of the relationship that is lost or being grieved as well as where the person is within the grief cycle.

What tools do you teach in grief & loss counseling?

Some of the tools I may teach in grief and loss counseling are what the grief cycle looks like (it's not linear), giving oneself grace throughout all of the feelings and emotions, and working within their belief system to offer tools that may be available to them. We may practice mindfulness, writing letters, and, if needed, goal setting for moving forward.

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

I know an individual is making progress in grief and loss counseling when they show and report signs of healing. This looks different for everyone.

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

Clients can supplement grief and loss counseling by using the skills they get from counseling sessions, reading books on grief and loss, or listening to podcasts about grief and loss.

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

A person preparing for their first grief and loss counseling session can remind themself that this is a safe place to grieve, and that includes crying, being angry, and having a good day (smiling and laughing).

Grief & loss counseling FAQs

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 Portland, ME 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 Portland, ME 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.

Pricing & insurance

Our therapists accept most major insurance and we offer self-pay options too.
Learn more about pricing for therapy and counseling at Thriveworks.

Our therapists and counselors in Portland accept 26 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Maine | BCBS Medicare Advantage

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Maine | BCBS (PPO | HMO | POS)

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • Carelon

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Community Health Options

  • Compsych

  • Firefly Health Plan | Cigna PPO Network

  • First Health Network

  • Harvard Pilgrim

  • Humana Medicare Advantage

View more
Self-pay costs at Portland
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

4.8 Learn about verified reviews
★★★★★
Everything great. Nothing to improve.
Malik Mar 2026
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
It’s very nice to be able to speak with Tyler. Very relaxed atmosphere, great communication skills. He puts you at ease
Hayley Mar 2026
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
I felt very listened to and understood
Briannah Mar 2026
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Justin is a great listener and guidance provider if asked for. Highly recommend!
Kamille Jan 2026
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
My therapist Justin is a lifesaver - truly. Ive been through some tough times while seeing him and he always knows exactly what to say to reframe my perspective and get me through my hardest moments. He gives me tools I can use when he's not around to help me navigate life, and its so obvious the moment you meet him that he truly cares about about his patients, and it shows through his work. I would take a bullet for that man because he has saved my life, probably on multiple occasions, so returning the favor would be the least I could do. You've got one of those really special employees that don't come around very often - i hope you do everything in your power to keep him as happy as he keeps his patience. Thank you for everything, Justin and Thriveworks.
Read more
Julianna Jan 2026
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
I adore Doreen. She has helped me so much in the past and is so empathetic and understanding yet gives me information I may not necessarily want to hear, but need to hear. She is a Godsend to me.
India Dec 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Justin is amazing! He is insightful and extremely educated in many aspects and has been an amazing support and guide in my therapy journey.
Aryana Dec 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
I've been with Doreen a few years now and I've enjoyed each session very much. She's a wonderful therapist and I can't imagine working through life's journey with anyone else but her. She's direct and to the point, which is something I was looking for.
Read more
Rowann Dec 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
8 of 29 reviews

Where to find us

map-pin-blue

Address

550 Forest Ave Suite 201
Portland, ME 04101

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Portland is located in the Sanborn Building near the intersection of Forest Avenue and Ashmont St, off Interstate 295. It is near Longfellow Park and just west of Back Cove. The office is in a multi-story brick commercial building. Enter through the doors to access Suite 201 on the second floor.

device-mobile-blue

Phone number

(207) 994-7555
globe-blue

Languages spoken by ME providers

  • English
clock-blue

Hours

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

Shown in ET

Wednesday 8:00am - 11:00pm
Thursday 8:00am - 11:00pm
Friday 8:00am - 11:00pm
Saturday 8:00am - 6:00pm
Sunday 8:00am - 6:00pm
Monday 8:00am - 11:00pm
Tuesday 8:00am - 11:00pm

Shown in ET

Find a provider ...