Grief Counseling
For Teens & Adults
Grief is heavy. But you don’t have to carry it alone.
Whether you’re grieving the death of a loved one, the loss of a relationship, or the life you expected to have, your pain is valid. And while no one can take it away, you deserve support as you move through it.
Marilee Sonnen, LPC and Sarah Chun, LPC are our licensed therapists who specializes in grief, trauma, and life transitions. They offer compassionate therapy for teens and adults across Virginia.
Most People Experience Grief at Some Point in Their Lives
It’s essential to know that grief is a natural response to loss. Most people encounter some form of grief throughout their lives, and it’s completely normal to feel the intense emotions that accompany it. According to the American Psychological Association, 10% of those who experience the death of a loved one will develop complicated grief, which may require professional support.
Grief is not linear; it can ebb and flow, presenting itself in waves. You might find yourself feeling okay one day and then overwhelmed the next. This unpredictability is common and can leave you feeling isolated. Understanding that you are not alone in your struggle can be reassuring. Many individuals face similar challenges when navigating their grief journeys.
The good news, however, is that with the help of a compassionate, experienced therapist, you can learn to navigate the complexities of grief and rediscover a sense of peace and fulfillment in your life.
Grief is something many people carry at different seasons in life.
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While grief looks different for everyone, many people find themselves struggling more deeply after a significant loss. Some may even feel “stuck” in their grief and need additional support to move forward.
Grief is not linear. It comes and goes in waves. You might feel steady one day and completely undone the next. This unpredictability is part of the process, even though it can feel isolating and disorienting. Experiencing these shifts does not mean you are doing grief wrong. It means you are human.
At Authentic Connections Counseling LLC, we offer a warm, supportive space where you can safely explore your feelings, share your story, and begin to process your grief. Therapy with Marilee Sonnen, LPC is centered on compassion, nervous system awareness, and deep respect for the uniqueness of your loss. You do not have to hide your emotions or “be strong.” Here, you can simply be human.
How Therapy Can Support Your Healing
Grief is deeply personal, and there is no “right” way to move through it. In your work with Marilee or Sarah, you’ll explore your emotions, your story, and the circumstances of your loss with compassion and curiosity. As you begin to understand what your grief needs from you, you can start to find steadier footing — not by “getting over” your loss, but by carrying it with more ease.
Therapy Approaches That Can Help:
Our grief specialists draw from both traditional and holistic modalities to support your emotional, mental, and nervous system well-being:
Person-Centered Therapy
A collaborative, client-led approach where your voice, pace, and needs guide the process.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Helps you identify painful thought patterns, soften self-blame, and build healthier internal dialogue.Complicated Grief Therapy
Supports those navigating prolonged or stuck grief and helps create space for mourning and movement.Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Encourages acceptance of difficult emotions while reconnecting you to your values, purpose, and daily life.Somatic-Informed Therapy
Helps you tune into your body’s cues, regulate your nervous system, and access moments of groundedness and relief.
What You May Gain Through Grief Therapy
Grief does not disappear, but with support, it can become more manageable. Through therapy, many people begin to experience:
A Safe Place to Release What You’ve Been Holding
You do not have to censor your emotions here. Therapy offers space for sadness, anger, confusion, relief, and everything in between.
Greater Emotional Balance
Over time, the intensity of grief often becomes easier to carry. You may find more steadiness in your day-to-day life, even while still honoring your loss.
Relief from Guilt and Self-Blame
Many people carry “what ifs” after loss. Therapy helps soften harsh self-judgment and create space for compassion toward yourself.
Renewed Sense of Meaning and Direction
As grief evolves, many clients begin to reconnect with purpose, values, and parts of life that still feel meaningful.
Stronger Mind-Body Awareness
By working with the nervous system and the body’s cues, you can begin to feel more grounded and present again.
Permission to Grieve in Your Own Way
There is no timeline and no right way to grieve. Therapy helps you trust your own process instead of measuring it against others’ expectations.
Common Questions About Therapy for Grief
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It’s completely normal to feel hesitant when sharing something so personal. You’ll never be rushed. This is a safe, non-judgmental space to go at your own pace.
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Grief is a personal journey—there’s no set timeline. Together, we’ll move at a pace that feels right for you, focusing on self-compassion and emotional support.
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That’s a common and valid fear. Over time, therapy can help you process pain while slowly allowing space for joy, connection, and meaning to re-enter your life.
Why Clients Choose Our Grief Therapy
While therapy cannot erase the pain of loss, we have witnessed many clients begin to feel lighter, more grounded, and more connected to life again. With steady support, people often find they can carry their grief with more ease and move forward in ways that once felt impossible.
What sets our work apart is our integrative, person-centered approach, led by grief therapist Marilee Sonnen, LPC and Sarah Chun, LPC. Therapy blends traditional talk therapy with somatic awareness and trauma-informed support, helping you process grief not only through words, but through the body and nervous system as well.
This approach supports you in feeling more present and emotionally steady as you move through your grief. It is not about getting over what you have lost. It is about finding a new rhythm that allows you to stay connected to your story while continuing to live fully.
Take the First Step Toward Healing
You do not have to carry this alone.
If you are ready to explore grief therapy, we invite you to schedule a free 15-minute consultation. This is a gentle, no-pressure opportunity to ask questions, connect with Marilee or Sarah, and see if this feels like the right next step for you.
Grief Specialists
Marilee Sonnen, LPC
Sarah Chun, LPC
Grief Therapy in Ashburn, VA
44031 Pipeline Plaza, #305, Ashburn, VA 20147