Honoring Every Member of Your Family 

The DC area is home to so many people deeply connected to their pets and companion animals. What emotional support is available to help you manage the painful and intense feelings when saying goodbye to your beloved companion?

Pet loss support is a seriously underserved need in the world of counseling. In my opinion, this is a disenfranchised category of grief and one that not enough therapists and mental health professionals fully understand. Your grief and sadness over the loss of your beloved pet is valid. Loss is loss. It doesn’t matter if it’s human or animal. Your bond with your pet may be one of the most significant and loving relationships of your life and losing that bond and connection may be one of the most devastating and painful experiences of your life.

Our sweet Tilly adopted from the Washington, DC Humane Rescue Alliance.September 2003 - April 2019Photo by Franz Szymanski

Our sweet Tilly adopted from the Washington, DC Humane Rescue Alliance.

September 2003 - April 29th, 2019

Photo by Franz Szymanski

Our wonderful Sam, adopted from Mid-Atlantic English Springer Spaniel Rescue (MAESSR).

November 2008 - March 18th, 2022

My beloved Buford, my first dog and my soul dog. Adopted from Pet Connect Rescue.2/18/12 - 11/2/20

My beloved Buford, my first dog and my soul dog. Adopted from Pet Connect Rescue.

2/18/12 - 11/2/20

 
 

You don’t have to suffer alone.

I am here to normalize and validate your grief, to listen, to support, and to help you cope. I will provide you with a nonjudgmental and emotionally safe space where you can express and process your most vulnerable feelings.

 I can help you with…

  • working through the devastating and complex feelings that accompany loss

  • processing any unresolved grief from your past that may surface when your pet dies

  • grief that comes up when you know your pet is dying, and making end-of-life decisions

  • lost or runaway pets

  • surrendering or rehoming a pet

  • behavioral euthanasia

  • sudden loss of a pet 

  • pet loss with seniors

  • loss of a pet through divorce or a separation

  • pet loss with kids and families 

  • support for veterinary and animal caretaker professionals (vicarious trauma and compassion fatigue)

  • establishing new routines and adapting to a new life

  • exploring getting another pet

  • developing coping strategies

  • navigating the practical and logistical issues

  • consultations and support for organizations