Grief Counseling in Chicago & Northfield
Are you struggling to navigate the overwhelming emotions that come with losing someone or something important to you? Perhaps you're feeling lost, exhausted, or guilty about having moments of joy while grieving? Maybe the pain feels harder than it should right now, and you're unsure how to move forward with your daily life?
You're Not Alone in Feeling This Way
Grief is something we all experience, but when you’re in it, it can feel impossibly lonely. Like no one else could possibly understand the weight you’re carrying.
You might be noticing:
𖦹 Waves of sadness that hit out of nowhere and take your breath away
𖦹 Exhaustion that makes even simple tasks feel overwhelming
𖦹 Guilt when you laugh or feel a moment of happiness, like you’re betraying their memory
𖦹 Feeling disconnected from life or questioning what the point of it all is
𖦹 Changes in how you sleep, eat, or focus on anything
𖦹 Anger, fear, or confusion about how to move forward in this new reality
𖦹 The strange sensation of being outside yourself, like you’re not the same person you used to be
These experiences are normal. They’re part of grief. And they don’t have to be faced alone.
We Understand What You're Going Through
At Third Coast Wellness, we know that grief is not the same thing as depression. While both can involve sadness and withdrawal, they’re fundamentally different experiences.
Grief counseling in Chicago focuses on honoring your unique experience of loss. It’s about helping you express what you’re feeling in a safe way, finding meaning in the midst of pain, and slowly rebuilding a life that integrates both the love you still carry and the loss you’re learning to live with.
Our therapists provide compassionate grief counseling in Chicago and Northfield with warmth, acceptance, and gentle guidance. You don’t have to rush your healing. There’s no timeline here. You simply need a space where your grief is welcome, where all of it can exist without judgment.
Common Symptoms of Grief
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Overwhelming Sadness
It comes and goes in waves
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Loss of Motivation
And difficulty finding pleasure in things you used to enjoy
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Existential Questions
About purpose, meaning, and your place in the world
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Physical Tension
And exhaustion you can feel in your body
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Trouble Concentrating
Or making even small decisions
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Sleep Disruptions
And emotional numbness that feels protective but isolating
Our Specialized Grief Counseling Approaches
Every loss is different. Every person grieves differently. That’s why we tailor our care to meet you exactly where you are:
Individual Grief Therapy for processing your emotions in a safe, judgment-free space
Anticipatory Grief Support when you’re preparing emotionally for an expected loss
Complicated Grief Treatment for when grief feels stuck or prolonged beyond what feels manageable
Secondary Loss Processing to address all the other changes that come with loss, like shifts in identity, roles, and future plans
Disenfranchised Grief Support for honoring losses that society doesn’t always acknowledge or validate
Our goal isn’t to help you “get over it” or “move on.” It’s to help you move from merely surviving each day to gently rebuilding a new sense of self that makes room for both the pain and the love.
How Grief Therapy Works
Starting grief therapy in Chicago can feel like a big step. We make it simple and supportive from the very beginning.
Step 1: Schedule a Free Consultation
Reach out through our online booking or call us directly. We offer a free 10–15 minute phone consultation to discuss what’s bringing you to therapy, clarify your goals, review insurance and payment options, and ensure we’re the right fit.
Step 2: Complete an Initial Assessment
Your first two sessions are assessment sessions lasting about 55 minutes each. We’ll explore your personal history, current symptoms, and therapy goals. Together, we’ll build a collaborative treatment plan that reflects your values and desired outcomes.
Step 3: Start Your Therapy Journey
After your assessment, ongoing individual therapy sessions last 50–55 minutes. They’re focused, collaborative, and paced according to your comfort level. We believe therapy works best when you feel safe, supported, and empowered to lead your own healing process.
Grief Affects Everyone Differently But Healing Is Possible
Here’s the truth we wish we didn’t have to say: you will never “get over” your loss. That person, that relationship, that version of your life mattered too much for that.
But you can learn to live with it. You can learn to carry it in a way that doesn’t break you.
Through grief therapy, you’ll process emotions at your own pace. You’ll find strength in vulnerability. And slowly, day by day, you’ll create a life that integrates both the love you still hold and the loss you’re learning to live alongside.
Many people try to cope by isolating themselves or pushing their feelings down. But true healing happens when grief is witnessed and held by someone who understands. Our clinicians are here to listen without trying to fix you, validate what you’re experiencing, and guide you gently through each stage of mourning toward acceptance and peace.
Why Work With Third Coast Wellness
You’re not a problem to fix, but a story to understand.
At Third Coast Wellness, we believe therapy should go deeper than symptom relief. Our work is rooted in the belief that many of the challenges people face (anxiety, disconnection, depression, burnout) stem from unspoken pain, relational wounds, and unseen patterns. These aren’t signs of weakness. They’re signs of something important needing attention.
We specialize in depth-oriented, relational therapy in Chicago and Northfield that helps bring those hidden parts of yourself into awareness. We help you feel more alive, more connected, and more fully yourself.
Led by experienced therapists trained in evidence-based modalities, we work with people who’ve tried therapy before but didn’t get the depth or lasting change they needed. Whether you’re facing a major crisis or a quiet sense that something isn’t quite right, we help you understand your inner world so you can move through it with clarity and compassion.
Healing takes time, courage, and the right support. We’re here when you’re ready.
Our Dedicated Team
Founder & Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
Alison Kramme, M.A., LCPC
Currently seeing clients in-person at Northfield or virtually via TeleHealth.
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
Courtney Rankin, MA, LCPC
Currently seeing clients in-person in Chicago or virtually via TeleHealth.
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
Sandra Stevens, MA, LCPC
Currently seeing clients in-person in Chicago or virtually via TeleHealth.
Our grief counseling helps you uncover the strength and wisdom you already carry.
Whether you’re dealing with the death of a loved one, divorce, job loss, health changes, or any other significant loss, our grief counseling Chicago services can help you navigate this challenging time with compassion and professional support.
Available in-person in Northfield and Chicago, or virtually throughout Illinois