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Offered in-person & online

Our therapists offer grief & loss counseling in Virginia Beach, VA

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

Get in-person or online care, and cover the majority of the costs with your insurance. Scheduling is easy — call our team and they’ll help you find your perfect match.

Connect with a therapist, psychiatrist or counselor near you

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 provider as soon as this week

Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | BCBS HMO, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | BCBS PPO, +6 more
Anger, Behavioral Issues, Coping Skills, Infidelity, Men’s Issues, +10 more

I am passionate about aiding those in difficult situations to focus on their strengths and build on them.

Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | BCBS HMO, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | BCBS PPO, +21 more
Military / Veteran, Anger, Coping Skills, Infidelity, Men’s Issues, +10 more

I am passionate about supporting individuals in their journey towards improved mental health and well-being.

Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | BCBS HMO, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | BCBS PPO, +20 more
Anger, Behavioral Issues, Coping Skills, Infidelity, Men’s Issues, +14 more

Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | BCBS HMO, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | BCBS PPO, +25 more
Anger, Behavioral Issues, Coping Skills, Self Esteem, Stress, +4 more

Mariellen Blanton

Hear from Mariellen Blanton, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

View Mariellen Blanton's profile

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

My go-to approach for helping people in grief/loss counseling is CBT. I find the best benefit in CBT because I outline the stages of grief and work on coping skills with the client.

What tools do you teach in grief & loss counseling?

I teach the following tools in grief counseling: identifying negative thought patterns, replacing them with positive thoughts, and engaging in healthy habits.

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 counseling when they are able to verbalize acceptance, choose to move on with life, and connect with others dealing with grief.

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

Clients can supplement their time in grief counseling by making connections via support groups, engaging in physical activities, planning to get out in nature, and writing a letter about their grief and loss.

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

To prepare for the first grief counseling session, a person may choose that they are ready to address the loss or grief and acknowledge their changing emotions.

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 Virginia Beach, 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 Virginia Beach, 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.

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 Virginia Beach therapists and counselors accept 24 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia Medicare Advantage

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | BCBS HMO

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | BCBS PPO

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | Exchange

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

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

  • Carelon

  • Carelon | Medicare Advantage

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth Medicare Advantage

  • Compsych

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Self-pay costs at Virginia Beach
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
★★★★★
It was straight forward and easy to apply. With insurance it almost costs nothing and the counseling has helped a lot.
Taylor Mar 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Abel is an excellent therapist. He has helped me change my life!
Michael Mar 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
After, initial visit, I think I found Karen Todaro to be thoughtful and helpful
Lori Mar 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
I enjoy my time during my appointments and wish I would have done it sooner honestly.
Jason Mar 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
My provider, James Martin, is a mental health professional of the highest caliber. I've seen several mental health providers throughout the past 20 years and not a single one can hold a candle to his technical expertise and compassion.
Alexander Mar 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Flexibility in scheduling. Pressure-free conversational atmosphere.
Dan Mar 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Nicole has been a game changer for my mental health. I switched to try her after leaving another provider who left me feeling defeated and hopeless about my situation. Nicole has navigated me out and through that situation, and continues to help me heal things. I am so thankful and grateful and excited for what's to continue to come with working with her.
Read more Nicole has been a game changer for my mental health. I switched to try her after leaving another provider who left me feeling defeated and hopeless about my situation. Nicole has navigated me out and through that situation, and continues to help me heal things. I am so thankful and grateful and excited for what's to continue to come with working with her.
Melissa Mar 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Abel is the best . He Has helped me delve deeper into who I am and how to get where I think I need to be:-)
Albert Mar 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Virginia Beach is located off of S Independence Blvd, in a shopping center right by Lake Trashmore. As you enter this shopping center, you’ll pass Making a Difference Foundation, Inc. on your right. We currently share a building with Interm Healthcare of Virginia Beach, VA, and Bug-Masters.

Phone number

(757) 520-0827

Languages spoken by VA providers

  • English
Tuesday 8:00am - 9:00pm
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

Shown in ET

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

Shown in ET

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