Therapy for Pet Loss — Honoring the Bond You Shared
A safe and supportive space for pet loss grief counseling, available virtually throughout New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.
They Were More Than “Just a Pet”
To you, they were family. Your soulmate. Your truest, purest bond. The one who greeted you at the door after a hard day, who asked for nothing and gave everything. Losing them has left a wound unlike any you've known, and the depth of that pain deserves to be honored, not dismissed.
Your Grief Is Real — And You Don't Have to Carry It Alone
The loss of a beloved pet can be as overwhelming or even more profound than the loss of a human loved one. Yet so often, pet loss grief goes unacknowledged by the people around us.
Maybe you're hearing things like "it was just an animal" or "you can always get another pet." While people in your life might mean well, some don't understand the depth of what you're carrying. And maybe that makes the grief even harder to hold.
You might be experiencing:
Overwhelming sadness that comes in waves
Guilt over decisions made at the end of their life
Anger, shock, or a sense of disorientation
Loneliness without their presence in your daily routine
Anxiety about how to move forward without them
Whatever you're feeling, it makes complete sense. If any of this sounds familiar, healing is possible — and this is exactly where our work begins.
What Pet Loss Grief Counseling Can Help You Work Through
Our work together will move at a pace that feels right for you — no set timeline, no pressure, no one-size-fits-all approach.
Here's what pet loss therapy can help you navigate:
Processing complex emotions - Work through grief, guilt, anger, and shock in a safe, judgment-free space where all of your feelings are valid.
Honoring your pet's memory - Create meaningful rituals and memorialization that keep your companion's spirit alive as you move forward.
Releasing guilt and self-blame - Let go of painful "what-ifs" around their passing and replace them with compassion, acceptance, and the recognition that you did your best.
Rebuilding your daily routine - Gently find your footing again in a life that looks and feels different without them, rediscovering moments of peace and joy along the way.
Finding connection and support - Feel genuinely understood by someone who truly gets it — not just professionally, but personally.
Find Comfort With a Pet Loss Therapist Who Truly Understands
I know the devastating pain of losing a beloved pet. I've experienced it myself several times — most recently when my beloved Shiba, Maya, passed in the summer of 2024. This personal journey through pet loss has deepened my understanding of the grief that comes with saying goodbye to a cherished companion in a way that no training alone ever could.
Your pet's loss will never be considered trivial or invalid here. I want to hear about how unique your companion was and still is to you. Please share your favorite memories. Bring photos, videos, or your pet's favorite items to our sessions. These tangible connections are welcome and honored in this space.
As a member of the Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement (APLB), I bring both personal and professional understanding to this work. You've come to the right place.
About Your Pet Loss Therapist: Alexis
I'm Alexis, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Certified Grief-Informed Professional, and Member of the Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement (APLB) with over 10 years of experience supporting adults through grief and loss.
My path into pet loss grief work is deeply personal after losing my Shiba, Maya, the love and light of my life. Even though I knew her time was coming, her death still caught me off guard. I wasn't with her when she passed, and the guilt and grief that followed were profound. What stayed with me just as much was the experience of feeling supported by some and invisible to others — and that silence had its own weight. That experience solidified what I had already begun to see in my clinical work: pet loss is a legitimate and profound grief, and too many people are navigating it alone. That's what drives my work here.
My approach is warm, collaborative, and completely judgment-free. Pet bereavement counseling goes beyond coping strategies. It requires someone who will truly witness your pain, honor the bond you shared, and walk alongside you as you find your way forward.
FAQs About Therapy for Pet Loss
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Absolutely. The bond between a person and their pet is one of the most meaningful relationships in a person's life. Grief after pet loss is a completely natural response to losing someone you loved deeply, and it deserves to be held with care.
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Pet loss grief is often complicated by the fact that it goes unrecognized or minimized by others. Unlike the loss of a human loved one, people grieving a pet may feel pressure to "move on" quickly or feel embarrassed by the depth of their pain. Therapy for pet loss provides a space where your grief is fully acknowledged and supported without judgment.
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One-on-one sessions are held virtually at a time that works for your schedule. We'll talk about your pet, your grief, and what support looks like for you. There's no set agenda, and we’ll move at whatever pace feels right. You're welcome to bring photos, videos, or memories to share.
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If the loss of your pet is affecting your daily life, including your sleep, mood, or ability to function, pet loss grief counseling may help. Whether you want support, understanding, or simply a space to be heard, that's reason enough.
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I am a private-pay practice, meaning I don't bill insurance directly. This allows us to focus entirely on your needs without the limitations that insurance can sometimes place on care. A superbill can be provided upon request if you'd like to seek potential reimbursement through your insurance provider.
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Pet loss therapy sessions are $200 for a 60-minute session. Payment is due at the time of your session, and all major credit cards are accepted, as well as Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA).
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To get started, reach out to schedule a free 15-minute chat. No commitment, no pressure — a chance to connect and see if working together feels like the right fit. From there, we can find a time for your first full session and begin your healing journey together.
Begin Your Healing Journey With Therapy for Pet Loss
Healing begins with a single step, and you don't have to walk this path alone. Your pet's memory deserves to be honored, and so does your grief.