Grief can be an especially challenging experience for kids, often shaking their sense of security and understanding of the world. The therapists at Relate Family Therapy and Counseling are skilled in providing a safe space for children to process their grief in a way that is both age-appropriate and supportive.
Children may experience grief differently than adults, sometimes unable to articulate their emotions fully. Instead, they may feel a deep sense of loss and confusion as they try to understand why someone they loved is no longer present or why a significant part of their life has changed so dramatically.
For a child, grief can feel like the ground has shifted beneath them. They may lose not only a person but also a role, a familiar place, or a sense of normalcy they depended on. This experience can leave them feeling as though a heavy weight is pressing down on their chest, anchoring them in sadness and sorrow. They might not have the words to express what they’re going through, but therapy for child grief and loss can help them explore these feelings safely.
Our Approach to Grief Therapy for Kids
At Relate, we use a variety of therapeutic approaches to help children work through their grief. We employ expressive arts therapy, systemic play therapy, sand tray therapy, and both nondirective and directive play therapy techniques. These methods allow children to be more comfortable expressing their feelings and a wide range of emotions about the person or situation they have lost, from anger and confusion to sadness and fear.
Play therapy is particularly effective for little ones experiencing grief, as it allows them to express emotions that they may not yet have the words to describe, helping them feel understood, heard, and validated.
Relate therapists offer not only empathy and support but also effective coping strategies tailored to each child’s unique needs. By helping children recognize and accept their feelings, our therapists empower them to find a way forward. Therapy can help children honor what was, accept what is, and move toward a future where joy and comfort are again possible.
Through compassionate care and proven therapeutic techniques, we support children through healing, so they feel less alone and more secure as they process their grief.