Losing a pet can be one of the most painful and isolating experiences—especially when others don’t fully understand the depth of your grief.
If you’re searching for pet loss counseling in New York, you may be feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure how to move forward after your loss.
As an animal lover, I recognize the deep bond that is possible between humans and animals. I have experienced the heartache and despair when this bond is broken by a pet’s death. The sadness and overwhelming emptiness you experience is difficult to face alone. Our society is often quick to dismiss the significance of the relationship. It’s never, “just a pet.”
When that relationship is gone, the grief can feel profound.
You don’t have to go through it alone.
I offer pet loss counseling online in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
If you are dealing with pet loss or anticipating a loss a few sessions of counseling can help.
Why Pet Loss Grief Can Feel So Intense
The bond we have with our pets is deeply meaningful.
They are often:
- Part of your daily routine
- A source of unconditional support
- Present during both ordinary and difficult moments
Because of this, losing a pet can feel disorienting and deeply painful. Many people also experience disenfranchised grief—a type of grief that isn’t always fully recognized or validated by others.
If you’ve heard things like “it was just a pet”, it can make the experience even more isolating.
When to Consider Pet Loss Therapy
You don’t need a specific reason to seek support—but therapy can be especially helpful if you’re experiencing:
- Persistent sadness or waves of grief
- Guilt or second-guessing (especially after euthanasia)
- Feeling stuck or unable to move forward
- Loneliness or lack of understanding from others
- Difficulty focusing or functioning day-to-day
Grief doesn’t follow a clear timeline—but you don’t have to navigate it on your own.
My cat/co-worker, Merlin, who sometimes joins my sessions
What to Expect in Pet Loss Counseling
Pet loss therapy is not about “getting over it.” It’s about creating space to understand your grief and move through it in a way that feels supportive and meaningful.
In our work together, we may explore:
- The relationship you had with your pet
- Feelings of guilt, regret, or unanswered questions
- The impact of the loss on your daily life
- Ways to stay connected to your pet’s memory
- How to move forward without losing that connection
The most important part of therapy is the relationship itself—feeling safe, understood, and able to be fully yourself.
Art Therapy for Pet Loss
Sometimes grief is difficult to put into words.
For those who are open to it, I offer art therapy as an additional way to process emotions through creative expression.
This can include:
- Drawing or painting
- Creating a visual memory of your pet
- Exploring emotions in a nonverbal way
No artistic experience is needed. This is simply another (completely optional!) way of accessing and working through your feelings.
A Supportive, Relational Approach
Trained as a pet loss counselor by Dr. Wallace Sife, founder of the Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement, I have the professional training and personal experience with pet loss to help support you through the grieving and healing process.
We will make sense of your feelings together in a caring and non-judgmental environment. I am also available to assist with anticipatory grief issues and issues surrounding making the decision for euthanasia. You do not need to suffer this pain alone.
Sometimes the loss of a pet can trigger feelings related to unresolved losses or traumas from the past. As an experienced psychotherapist, I can help you process your experience and get to the root of what is causing you distress.
Currently all pet loss sessions are offered online via teletherapy for people based in New York, New Jersey or Pennsylvania.
In the Media
Grieving the Loss of a Pet, Pet Care Pointers Substack
7 Ways to Cope With the Loss of a Pet, Everyday Health
How Long Should You Wait After Losing A Pet To Get Another One? Huffpost
30 Things to Say to Comfort Someone Whose Pet Just Passed Away, Cosmopolitan
What Not To Say To People Grieving A Sick, Lost Or Dead Pet, Huffpost
Remember to Die Podcast: Making the Call
How to Cope with the Loss of a Pet, Martha Stewart
Enjoying Art, Caring Magazine
The Disenfranchised Grief of Losing a Pet (Why It Can Feel So Isolating)
What is disenfranchised grief after losing a pet? Many people feel their loss isn’t fully understood or validated. This guide explains why pet loss can feel so isolating and how to cope with unsupported grief.
Why Pet Loss Guilt Can Feel Overwhelming (and How to Work Through It)
Pet loss guilt can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re replaying decisions or wondering if you did enough. This guide explores why guilt after losing a pet is so common and how to begin working through it with compassion.
How to Cope With the Loss of a Pet: A Therapist’s Guide
How do you cope with the loss of a pet? This guide shares practical and emotional ways to process grief, honor your pet’s memory, and navigate the pain of losing a pet.
