4 Best Scottsdale Grief Counselors
Whether you’re dealing with the death of a loved one, the end of a significant relationship, or even a “positive” life change like children going to college, loss can shake you to your core.
Counseling for grief and loss can help you process your experience and gain clarity on next steps, but finding the right fit in a therapist is key.
As a seasoned grief counselor, I blend skills-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with Polyvagal Theory to support holistic, mind-body healing.
Here, I share more about my approach to grief counseling so you can get a sense of whether we’re the right fit. Plus, I share some referral recommendations in case you’re looking for different support.
Meet the therapists
Best for holistic grief counseling: Nancy West
Best for grief support groups: Judith McHale
Best for grief around pregnancy & postpartum: Karen Gordon
Best for grief counseling for couples & families: LeeAnn L Kuang
Why trust me?
As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Grief Educator with over 15 years of experience, I specialize in helping clients navigate the complex landscape of grief and loss. My approach integrates evidence-based grief counseling with Polyvagal Theory and nervous system awareness, recognizing that grief lives in both the mind and body. This blended framework, combined with my structured 3-weeks-per-month therapy model and extensive clinical experience, allows me to offer deep, transformative grief work that goes beyond traditional talk therapy to help clients truly heal and rebuild their lives after loss.
How I selected
When curating this list of Scottsdale grief counselors, I prioritized therapists who understand that grief work requires both clinical skill and deep compassion. I looked for professionals who offer different therapeutic approaches—from traditional grief counseling to more specialized modalities—and who serve diverse populations at various life stages. My intention is to provide you with options so you can find the right fit for you.
Meet the therapists
Nancy West
Best for holistic grief counseling
| Good fit for: | Not a fit for: |
|---|---|
| Combining CBT with somatic, body-aware grief work | Crisis intervention |
| Structured, results-oriented therapy | Long-term depth work |
| In-person & virtual sessions | EMDR |
Offers grief counseling: ✓
Clientele: Adults
Location: 19820 N 7th St, Suite 230, Phoenix, AZ 85024
Virtual therapy?: Yes
I integrate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with Polyvagal Theory to help clients understand how grief affects their nervous system. My approach honors the non-linear nature of grief while providing practical tools for emotional regulation, boundary-setting, and rebuilding trust in your body's wisdom after loss.
Judith McHale
Best for grief support groups
| Good fit for: | Not a fit for: |
|---|---|
| Group support for divorce & separation | Children or teens |
| Group support for death of a loved one | Family counseling |
| Low-cost grief support | EMDR |
Offers grief counseling: ✓
Clientele: Adults
Location: 4500 N 32nd Street, Suite 100-D, Phoenix, AZ 85018
Virtual therapy?: Yes
Judith facilitates two different grief counseling support groups: one for those experiencing divorce, separation, or the end of a relationship, and one for those navigating the death of a loved one. Group counseling can be a validating, cost-effective way of getting support during times of grief and loss.
Karen Gordon
Best for grief around pregnancy & postpartum
| Good fit for: | Not a fit for: |
|---|---|
| Perinatal mental health | Children or teens |
| EMDR | Family counseling |
| In-person & virtual sessions | Couples therapy |
Offers grief counseling: ✓
Clientele: Adults
Location: 15455 N. Greenway Hayden Loop C9, Scottsdale, AZ 85260
Virtual therapy?: Yes
Karen uses trauma-informed methods, such as EMDR, to help people cope with grief and loss. Her practice specializes in pregnancy, prenatal, and postpartum concerns, so her practice could be a good fit if you’re experiencing grief related to infertility, pregnancy loss, or new motherhood.
| Good fit for: | Not a fit for: |
|---|---|
| Couples & family counseling | Young children |
| Substance abuse | In-person sessions |
| EMDR | In-network therapy |
LeeAnn L Kuang
Best for grief counseling for couples & families
Offers grief counseling: ✓
Clientele: Adults
Location: Scottsdale, AZ 85250
Virtual therapy?: Yes
LeeAnn provides virtual grief counseling to individuals, couples, and families. She may be a good fit if you’re navigating issues related to substance abuse, trauma, family stress, and relationship issues alongside grief and loss.
FAQs about grief counseling
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There’s no singular “best” kind of grief counseling. The most effective therapy honors your unique loss and makes space for both processing the emotions that come with grief and finding your way forward. Therapy often works best when there’s a strong therapeutic connection, so it’s important to choose a therapist you feel comfortable with.
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There's no "right" time to start grief counseling—you can begin whenever you feel ready for support. Some people benefit from immediate counseling after a loss, while others wait months or even years. Grief doesn't follow a timeline, and neither should your healing. If grief is impacting your daily functioning, relationships, or overall well-being, it's worth exploring counseling regardless of how much time has passed since your loss.
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Grief therapy supports all types of loss, not just death of a loved one. This includes divorce, job loss, health changes, miscarriage, estrangement from family, loss of identity, empty nest syndrome, and even grief over childhood experiences you never had. Any significant loss that creates emotional pain, confusion, or disruption in your life can be processed through therapy.
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The first few sessions typically begin with building rapport and learning more about your unique experience of loss. From here, we’ll explore how grief shows up in your body and emotions, develop tools for managing overwhelming feelings, and work through the complex emotions that accompany loss. The process isn't about "getting over" grief but learning to carry it with more ease, rebuilding meaning, and integrating your loss into your new normal.
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My practice tends to be a good fit for people seeking grief work that goes beyond traditional talk therapy. My clients value evidence-based tools combined with deep compassion, want to understand how grief affects your body, and are ready for structured, transformative work. If you’re not sure whether we’re a match, contact me for a free, no-pressure consultation.
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Start by booking a free consultation call where I’ll ask about what’s bringing you into therapy and answer any questions you may have about the process or my approach. We’ll get a sense of whether we’re the right fit, and if we choose to move forward, we’ll schedule your first full session.