Pet Loss Therapy in California and Michigan
Support for When You’ve Lost More Than “Just a Pet”
Paw prints at the beach, on the sand in the waves.
Grief Deserves care — and so do you
Losing a pet can feel like the whole world shifted underneath you. They weren’t “just an animal.” They were family. A source of comfort, laughter, and unconditional love.
In the aftermath of that loss, daily life can feel hollow or surreal. It might be hard to concentrate, to eat, or even to talk about your grief when others don’t understand.
If you’re in California, I offer a safe and compassionate space to help you grieve on your terms — not anyone else’s timeline. I provide individual therapy for pet loss via telehealth across California, and in-person sessions in San Diego on Wednesdays.
If you’re here reading this, you’re already doing something important. You’re listening to the part of you that still needs tending, still needs holding. Let’s honor that part.
Why Pet Loss Can Hurt So Deeply
Pets often witness our lives more fully than most people do. They’ve been with you during heartbreaks, job changes, moves, and quiet ordinary moments. Their presence offered grounding — a heartbeat in the room that made everything feel a little more okay.
So when they’re gone, it’s not “just a pet.” It’s a disruption in your emotional ecosystem. Your routines, your sense of home, and your source of daily affection all shift.
Grieving this kind of loss deserves time, space, and care.
When Individual Therapy Is Better Than a Support Group
Support groups can be healing, but they aren’t always the right fit for everyone. You might find that your grief feels invisible or even more painful in a group if:
You've been hurt by others' dismissive or minimizing responses
You're not ready to hear how others “moved on” or welcomed a new pet
You want to take your time — to honor your loss, not rush through it
You’re craving privacy and personalized support, not shared airtime
Individual therapy offers a dedicated, private space to feel and process your grief without needing to compare, explain, or mask. It’s a time just for you — to remember, release, and find your footing again.
Is This Grief or Is It Depression?
This is one of the most common and important questions I hear — and the answer is rarely black and white.
Grief is a natural response to loss. It can come in waves. Some days you may cry easily or feel hollow. Other days you may laugh or function like “normal” — and then feel guilty for that. These fluctuations are typical. Grief is messy, nonlinear, and deeply human.
Depression, on the other hand, tends to look like:
A persistent sense of hopelessness or numbness
Disconnection from others and from yourself
Trouble feeling anything at all — even moments of love or joy
Thoughts like “What’s the point?” or “It’s all too much”
Grief can include sadness, fatigue, and even irritability, but it still contains a thread of connection — to your memories, your love, your values. Depression often feels like that thread has been cut.
Here’s the good news: therapy can help you figure it out. Whether you’re grieving, depressed, or somewhere in between, you don’t need to navigate it alone. We’ll take a compassionate look at what’s happening, and support the parts of you that feel lost, heavy, or unclear.
What We Can Work on in Pet Loss Therapy
Making space for your grief without rushing
Holding conflicting feelings — relief, guilt, confusion, anger
Exploring what your pet meant to you beyond “companionship”
Rebuilding routines that now feel empty
Honoring anniversaries or meaningful dates
Deciding if or when you want to welcome a new pet
Learning how to talk about your grief with people who may not get it
This is grief work — and it's also love work. We’ll work at your pace, and in a way that honors your unique bond with your pet.
Cat in a cat bed with their cheek on pillow.
Therapy Across California, Hawaii and michigan — From Anywhere You Are
I offer secure, HIPAA-compliant telehealth sessions to all California residents, no matter where you live. From big cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco to small towns and rural spaces, therapy is available to you without needing to leave your home.
If you're near San Diego and prefer in-person sessions, I offer limited office hours on Wednesdays for pet loss and grief clients.
You can choose what feels best for you — and change your mind at any time.
Pet Loss Therapy FAQ
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Yes. And you’re not alone. Some pets are our most trusted companions, especially when human relationships have been complicated. This will never diminish someone else’s grief of their loved one, but this grief is YOURS. Therapy gives you space to grieve your real relationship — not the one others expect you to have.
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There is no timeline. In therapy, we don’t aim to “get over” the loss — we work on integrating it, so you can carry your grief with more ease over time.
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Not at all. These feelings usually stem from how society minimizes not just pet grief, but any kind of grief. But your love was real, your bond was deep, and your pain makes sense.
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Only you can decide when — or if — you're ready. Therapy can help you explore this without guilt or pressure, and honor your timeline.
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End-of-life decisions can bring up guilt, doubt, and distress. You're not alone. Therapy can help you unpack these feelings with compassion and without judgment.
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Not at all. Grief doesn’t depend on species — it depends on connection. Whether you’re grieving a horse who carried you through your childhood, a bird who sang to you every morning, a reptile who brought calm and curiosity to your life, or a rabbit or rat who felt like your secret keeper — your grief is valid.
If they mattered to you, then your pain matters too. This space is for anyone grieving the loss of a beloved animal, no matter what form they took.
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The best way to get started is by filling out the therapy inquiry form on my website. If you’re a pet person, there’s a good chance we’ll be a great fit — I offer a calm, compassionate space to help you honor your grief and find steady ground again.
If you have any questions, feel free to include them in the form. And if you’d like a consultation before scheduling your first session, you can request that there too. You’re in charge of how we begin.
Honor the Grief. Honor the Love.
Grief is not a sign of weakness — it’s a reflection of your capacity to love.
If you’re ready to move forward, not by forgetting your pet, but by remembering them with more peace and less pain, I’m here for you.
Let’s talk. You don’t have to do this alone.
