What is grief counseling?

Designed to specifically help someone dealing with the loss of a loved one, grief therapy addresses the unexpected manifestations of that loss in your life - including sadness, confusion, guilt, numbness, and anger. A trained provider walks you through the grief process to bring you toward healing and enable you to move forward.

Who should consider grief counseling?

If you have experienced a significant loss in your life, grief counseling can help you work through the unexpected pain. It is for those who have lost a loved one, suffered a miscarriage or stillbirth, experienced trauma and loss while working, and other significant and life-changing losses.

When should you consider grief counseling?

If your grief is overwhelming or interferes with your daily life, counseling may be able to help. It's also beneficial for those who feel stuck or unable to move forward from a loss or need a guide through the grieving process.

How does grief counseling work?

Like all types of counseling, grief counseling involves honestly sharing what you are feeling and experiencing. In particular, grief counseling is directed to help you work through a loss and find ways to heal.

What can I expect in a grief counseling session?

Grief counseling is a place to talk about your feelings in a supportive space. The professional who works with you will help you to understand and process what you're feeling while providing ways to cope and move forward in a manner that honors your lost loved one.

How long does grief counseling take?

Since grief is such a personal experience, it's important to consider that some people will benefit from short-term counseling for as little as a few months while others may desire to pursue longer-term therapy to work through their grief.

Is everything discussed in counseling confidential?

In general, online therapy sessions are similar to in-office therapy. These professionals will treat you and keep what you say to themselves with a couple of limited exceptions. For example, if you threaten grave harm to yourself (or someone else), they are required by law to report to the proper authorities. If you have any questions, discuss them with the therapist prior to your session.

Why is grief counseling important?

This type of therapy can help you process a loss in a supportive environment while promoting good mental health. Not only will you walk through the stages of grief - denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance - with a trusted advisor, but you can also learn important coping skills and get unstuck, enabling you to live a more full and satisfying life.

Best Grief Counseling for December 2025

Item: The Best Grief Counseling - Summary Reviews
Rating: 5
Author: Top Consumer Reviews

Wednesday, December 10th We evaluate products and services based on unbiased research. Top Consumer Reviews may earn money when you click on a link. Learn more about our process.

2025 Grief Counseling Reviews

Where can you find the best online grief counseling? If you've experienced a loss of any type, you may be considering seeking counseling to get through your pain. Online therapy can be a more convenient method of receiving therapy since you don't have to go anywhere. This is also very helpful for those in a remote location or an area without therapists. Those with a disability who may have difficulty traveling to an office benefit from online therapy as well. Often, people find they are more able to open up in an online session due to feeling more comfortable in their homes than in a new location.

5.0

EXCELLENT

Best Option

BetterHelp

Psychologists, marriage and family therapists, clinical social workers, and board licensed professional counselors are available
For individual adult therapy only
Fill out questionnaire and be matched with therapist

Read Full Review

EXCELLENT

5.0

On the BetterHelp website

With a large network of vetted professionals to assist you, BetterHelp's online counseling has proven to be an excellent option for individual adults seeking therapy since 2013. Clients have left thousands of great reviews of this counseling platform, which has earned the highest rating from the BBB. Though direct billing insurance is not yet an option, we place BetterHelp at the top of our list for grief counseling because they make it easy and affordable to access online help through life's struggles.

4.5

GREAT

Great

Talkspace

Licensed professionals providing therapy
Offered for ages 13 and older, individuals, and couples
Answer questions to be matched with a provider or possibly choose your own

Read Full Review

GREAT

4.5

On the Talkspace website

For over 13 years, Talkspace has provided online therapy to more than a million people. With 5,700 licensed professionals, the trusted counseling platform offers grief counseling to anyone, with or without insurance. Offering a choice of video, voice, or text therapy, Talkspace has something for everyone and has the positive reviews to prove it. While conflicting information on the website keeps them from receiving our highest recommendations, Talkspace is still an excellent choice for those seeking grief counseling online.

4.0

VERY GOOD

Very Good

Online-Therapy

Licensed counselors, social workers, and psychologists
Utilizing cognitive behavioral therapy
For adults, individual or couples

Read Full Review

VERY GOOD

4.0

On the Online-Therapy website

A pioneer in providing therapy via the internet, Online-Therapy has offered various types of counseling, including grief therapy, since 2009. In addition to their CBT-focused talk therapy, clients can choose to use text messaging and are given access to a wide variety of tools to assist them. Though they do not accept insurance, Online-Therapy offers three levels of subscriptions for their services as well as financial aid for those in need. The platform has limited reviews available but they are positive, which places Online-Therapy among our top recommendations for grief counseling.

3.5

GOOD

Good

Calmerry

Clinical psychologists, marriage and family therapists, clinical social workers, and licensed professional counselors
Featured methods include cognitive behavioral therapy, solution-focused therapy, and motivational interviewing
Complete assessment and choose a provider or be matched

Read Full Review

GOOD

3.5

On the Calmerry website

Online therapy platform Calmerry makes grief counseling accessible for users via text or video sessions, and they will help you find a therapist and possibly provide financial aid. They don't take insurance but instead provide a subscription plan which is billed monthly. However, as a result of the significant number of negative reviews in the less than 5 years the company has been around, we place them as just above average.

3.4

GOOD

Good

Cerebral

Licensed professionals available in each state
Featured methods include cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing
For adults only

Read Full Review

GOOD

3.4

On the Cerebral website

Started in 1995, Cerebral is a smaller online collection of professionals providing therapy and medication for their clients using evidence-based approaches. Phone or video sessions are offered, and you may be able to see someone the next day. Insurance is accepted but out-of-pocket cost is high per session. While there are many positive reviews, a government lawsuit keeps them from placing much higher on our list.

3.0

AVERAGE

Average

Brightside Health

Clinical psychologists, clinical social workers, counselors, psychiatrists, physicians, and psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners
Cognitive and behavioral therapy
Treatment specializing in anxiety and depression

Read Full Review

AVERAGE

3.0

On the Brightside Health website

Anxiety and depression are the focus of treatment for teens and adults at Brightside Health, though grief counseling is offered. The platform, which started in 2017, accepts insurance and is able to prescribe some medications if needed, though payment is required before you can access therapist bios. However, largely due to the 150 complaints on the BBB website, we rank Brightside Health as just an average option for online grief counseling.

2.5

FAIR

Fair

Headspace

Licensed professionals for video therapy
Featured methods include cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and dialectical behavior therapy
For adults only

Read Full Review

FAIR

2.5

On the Headspace website

While the Headspace app is highly rated and has been used to help millions of people for over 15 years, Therapy by Headspace is relatively new and untested. Offering another option for those seeking therapy of all types, the jury is still out on whether or not this is a great option for grief counseling. With a separate fee for using the app's features, Therapy by Headspace is simply an expensive, unproven option.

2.4

FAIR

Fair

Mindbloom

At-home ketamine therapy combined with guided sessions and group support
Easy to sign up
Uses app and online access though much is done on your own

Read Full Review

FAIR

2.4

On the Mindbloom website

For those seeking something beyond talk therapy for grief counseling, Mindbloom offers an alternative. Since 2019, Mindbloom has helped thousands of people. Using guided ketamine treatments in your home, this platform says they can help change your life. Mindbloom is not a fit for everyone, however, and has received some concerning reviews.

2.0

SUBPAR

Subpar

PlushCare

Licensed therapists in 49 states
Only provides therapy for individual adults (not teens or couples)
Paid membership plus per appointment fee

Read Full Review

SUBPAR

2.0

On the PlushCare website

With a full team of vetted medical professionals for telehealth, including grief therapy, PlushCare stands out from other online medical providers. Started in 2014 as a better way to access medical care, they offer access to single therapy sessions. A membership is required to access care and no insurance is accepted. However, with conflicting website prices and negative online reviews, this is one grief counseling platform we rank PlushCare as a below average option.

1.5

WEAK

Weak

MyWellbeing

Online therapist directory designed to match you to the right professional
Mental health coaches and licensed professionals
Choose from professionals or get matched through their service

Read Full Review

WEAK

1.5

On the MyWellbeing website

When you aren't sure where to look for a therapist, MyWellbeing provides a free online directory of professionals to choose from. Started in 2017, their free "matchmaking" service is what they believe sets them apart by providing online seekers with the professionals to best meet their needs. However, since only some therapists have a verified background check, the overall outcome is less than desirable.

1.4

WEAK

Weak

Sesame

Therapists include counselors, social workers, and PhDs
Membership offers discount but is not required for care
Video sessions are offered via computer or app

Read Full Review

WEAK

1.4

On the Sesame website

Offering their version of a medical marketplace to provide discounted care since 2018, Sesame has many therapists available for grief counseling. However, professionals on the site are not vetted at all and prices vary greatly, with the discount only applicable for those purchasing a membership to the platform. The website is difficult to search and has numerous complaints reported to the BBB. As a result, it ranks near the bottom of our list of options.

1.0

POOR

Poor

Talkiatry

Psychiatrists treat children through adults
Only accepts insurance payments
HIPAA compliant

Read Full Review

POOR

1.0

On the Talkiatry website

Providing online psychiatry services for only those with insurance coverage from one of their approved insurers, Talkiatry offers help for several specialties, though grief is not specifically mentioned. The company, founded in 2019, is available in 43 states to treat children through adults. The process may include medication and a referral for talk therapy. Unfortunately, Talkiatry's dismal reviews and a bad rating from the BBB put this company at the bottom of our list.

Continued from above...

Where Can You Find the Best Online Grief Counseling?

If you've experienced a loss of any type, you may be considering seeking counseling to get through your pain. Online therapy can be a more convenient method of receiving therapy since you don't have to go anywhere. This is also very helpful for those in a remote location or an area without therapists. Those with a disability who may have difficulty traveling to an office benefit from online therapy as well. Often, people find they are more able to open up in an online session due to feeling more comfortable in their homes than in a new location.

Sessions typically may be accessed via the internet wherever you are able to connect, though some platforms use an app specifically for therapy - video, voice, or text messaging. In addition, online therapy is often less expensive than in-person options, providing an affordable option for those without insurance coverage, as well as offering flexibility for scheduling.

But, not all online therapy platforms are created equal. Some companies provide licensed professionals while others can only provide coaches. The main difference is that while therapists are licensed and able to treat mental health conditions, coaches don't require any advanced education to help individuals achieve specific goals. We suggest knowing which you are signing up for before you pay.

To help you work through the pain and sadness, online grief counseling can be a wonderful lifeline. Which one is right for you? When deciding which online therapy service best meets your needs, we suggest considering these important aspects:

Therapy approach. For those who know a lot about psychology, the terms cognitive behavioral therapy, emotionally-focused therapy, and compassion-focused therapy are familiar. (The rest of us may just Google it.) Some of these providers are upfront about which types of therapies (if any) they focus on in their practices while others don't mention it at all. If it's important to you, make sure to look for the type of grief counseling method you desire (or want to avoid).
Choose your own professional. Many online therapy platforms promote their ability to match you to the right therapist for your situation, removing the option of choosing your own. If you want to choose the therapist for yourself, you will need to find a company that permits that. Keep in mind that most platforms will allow you to switch providers if you are unhappy with the one you get.
Accessibility options. How do you want to discuss your grief? There are different types of therapy available these days, including video, voice only, and text messaging. Some people want to see their counselor, while others feel better typing out what they need to say. If you value the ability to message with your therapist or desire homework that you complete between sessions, look for those features in an online grief counseling company.
Fees and insurance. One benefit of online therapy is that it's often available at a lower cost than in-person sessions due to lower overhead for the therapists, but that can also mean that they may not take your insurance, should you choose to use it. Instead, some provide a receipt for you to seek reimbursement, so they don't have to deal with the process. Perhaps they accept Health Savings Accounts (HSA) or Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA). Alternatively, some online therapy platforms require a monthly subscription, while others permit you to pay per session. There are many companies that accept only self-paying customers, so avoid costly mistakes by knowing the payment process before you sign up.
Reviews and recommendations. Therapy is unique in its review process - being so personal, not everyone wants to leave a review. We scoured the internet to find some reviews and ratings so you can make an informed decision about the grief counseling platforms we reviewed.

We at Top Consumer Reviews have sifted through all of these considerations in order to find the best online grief counseling platforms. We hope that our ranked list from first-to-worst will help you select a therapist who will guide you through your loss and help you to live well.