Grief

Grief services offered in Gig Harbor, WA

Grief is one of the most personal and challenging emotional experiences humanity faces. Whether you’re struggling with bereavement, loss, or a major life change, board-certified nurse practitioner Dr. Gina Hardage-Athetis, MSc, FNP-CB, Psy-D, PhD provides personalized grief care at Andrew’s Compassionate Legacy. With secure telehealth visits available throughout Washington state, you can access compassionate support when you need it most, all from the privacy of your home. If you’re navigating loss, understanding how grief works and how therapy can help may be an important step toward healing, so don’t hesitate to book your next visit online today or office based treatment dependent on individual needs assessment.

Grief Q&A

What is the impact of grief?

Grief affects people in many different ways. You may experience intense emotional pain or disconnection. There is no “right” way to grieve, and the process is different for everyone.

Grief can affect:

Emotional health

You may experience sadness, anger, guilt, loneliness, or a wide range of confusing feelings.

Mental focus

Many people notice difficulty concentrating, making decisions, or staying motivated.

Physical well-being

Grief can lead to fatigue, sleep changes, appetite changes, or tension in the body.

Relationships and daily life

Some people withdraw socially, while others feel a stronger need for connection and support.

When should I seek support to heal from grief?

While grief is natural, consider grief counseling if:

  • Your grief feels overwhelming or persistent
  • Daily responsibilities become difficult to manage
  • You feel stuck in sadness, guilt, or anger
  • Sleep problems or anxiety continue for weeks or months
  • You feel isolated or unsure how to move forward

Telehealth grief counseling allows you to talk to Dr. Hardage-Athetis from a familiar environment, which often makes it easier to open up about painful experiences.

What can I expect from grief support?

Just like your grief runs in unique channels, your care is personalized to you. It may include evidence-based treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or person-centered therapy (PCT). 

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) 

CBT may help you identify thoughts that intensify sadness or guilt, reframe painful beliefs related to the loss, and develop healthy coping skills for difficult moments. It doesn’t try to erase grief, but rather helps you process the loss in a way that supports emotional balance and resilience.

Person-centered therapy (PCT)

In grief counseling, PCT allows you to:

  • Express emotions openly without pressure or judgment
  • Explore your personal experience of loss
  • Reconnect with your values and sources of meaning

Dr. Hardage-Athetis provides empathy, understanding, and acceptance, helping you move through grief at your own pace.

Grief isn’t something you “get over,” but proper support enables you to carry it in a way that allows your life to move forward.

Through telehealth therapy and supportive approaches like CBT and PCT, you can process loss, rebuild emotional strength, and rediscover hope. Book your appointment online today to take the first step.