Can you get grief counseling online?

Yes. 40 online services say on their own pages that their clinicians help with grief and loss, and 3 run a grief or loss group: LifeStance Health, SonderMind and 7 Cups.

Is there free grief counseling online?

Free grief support is mostly peer support groups and helplines rather than counseling with a licensed clinician. 9 free options are listed here, each checked on its own page: 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, Crisis Text Line, The Compassionate Friends, Soaring Spirits International, TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors), VA Vet Center bereavement counseling, National Alliance for Children's Grief: find a support center or camp and Experience Camps. Federal rules require a hospice to make bereavement services available to the family and others in the bereavement plan of care for up to 1 year after the patient's death.

Does BetterHelp offer grief counseling?

BetterHelp says it has therapists who specialize in grief, among many other issues; it serves adults and says it is not right for minors.

Does Talkspace offer grief counseling?

Talkspace says some of its therapists offer grief counseling in their practice and can help people deal with loss.

Does insurance cover grief counseling?

The American Psychiatric Association's DSM-5-TR update lists the code for prolonged grief disorder as F43.8 through September 30, 2022 and F43.81 from October 1, 2022. Medicare Part B covers individual and group psychotherapy with doctors and certain other Medicare-enrolled licensed professionals, as state rules allow. HealthCare.gov says all Marketplace plans cover mental health and substance abuse services as essential health benefits. HealthCare.gov says the specific behavioral health benefits depend on the state and the health plan chosen. 28 of the services here that help with grief bill insurance in network: Doctor On Demand, LifeStance Health, SonderMind, Talkspace, Thriveworks, Alma, Amwell, Anywhere Clinic, Array Behavioral Care, BetterHelp, Brightline, Brightside Health, Cerebral, Charlie Health, Daybreak Health, Grow Therapy, Headspace Care, Headway, Little Otter, MDLIVE, Meru Health, Monument, Prosper Health, Rula, Spring Health, Teladoc Health (Mental Health), Two Chairs and Wellnite. Ask your plan and the clinician whether grief counseling is covered before you start.

Is there online grief counseling for kids and teens?

7 services here say they help children or teens with grief: Doctor On Demand, Thriveworks, Brightline, Brightside Health, Daybreak Health, Little Otter and Wellnite. The free programs below include support for grieving children and families.

What is prolonged grief disorder?

The American Psychiatric Association describes prolonged grief disorder as intense and persistent grief that causes problems and interferes with daily life. For a prolonged grief disorder diagnosis, the death must have occurred at least a year ago for adults and at least 6 months ago for children and adolescents, according to the American Psychiatric Association. The American Psychiatric Association says that including prolonged grief disorder's diagnostic criteria in DSM-5-TR gives clinicians a common standard to tell normal grief from persistent, enduring and disabling grief. The American Psychiatric Association gives an estimate that 4% to 15% of bereaved adults experience the persistent symptoms of prolonged grief disorder.

Grief and loss

Online grief counseling: who offers it, free grief support, and what it costs

After a death, some people want a counselor, some want a group of people who have been through the same loss, and some need treatment for grief that does not ease. Here is which online services say they help with grief, which run grief groups, what each costs, and the free support groups and lines, from each one's own pages.

Facts checked · checked 3 d ago

40services help with grief

3run grief groups

13free groups and lines

40 online services compared here say their clinicians help with grief and loss, and 28 of them take insurance in network. 3 run a grief or loss group. Free support is mostly peer groups and helplines: 13 are listed below. If you are thinking about suicide, call or text 988.

Who offers it

40 online services say their clinicians help with grief

What each service's own pages say about grief and loss, the approaches and groups it names, who it serves, insurance, and the price.

Service	What its pages say	Insurance	Price
Doctor On DemandVisit site Therapy + psychiatry AdultsTeens	Doctor On Demand has an online grief counseling page: licensed therapists and psychiatrists support people through grief and loss by video. Limit: Doctor On Demand lists its grief counseling for ages 18 and over, with parental consent for people under 18. CBTACTPsychodynamicMindfulness-based	Bills insurance in network Medicaid: some Medicaid managed-care plans	Doctor On Demand states first-time therapy visits start at $134 without insurance and can be $0 with insurance (a general therapy price, not specific to grief).
LifeStance HealthVisit site Therapy + psychiatry	LifeStance says its therapists who specialize in grief counseling offer in-person and remote appointments. Limit: LifeStance says grief counseling is available in 35 states and services vary by location. CBTACT Groups: LifeStance says some of its grief counseling groups take place online.	Bills insurance in network Medicaid: some plans; varies by state and provider	LifeStance states self-pay for a therapy session typically ranges from $201 to $445 (a general therapy price, not specific to grief).
SonderMindVisit site Insurance marketplace	SonderMind says licensed grief counselors are available online or in person, covering loss of a loved one, bereavement and life transitions. Limit: SonderMind says therapy for teens and children is available only with select providers, depending on licensure and location. CBT Groups: SonderMind's grief therapy page lists group support among its grief therapy methods but does not say who leads a group or what it costs.	Bills insurance in network	SonderMind states no grief-specific price: with insurance many clients pay an average copay of around $25, and self-pay session prices vary by provider, session type and location.
TalkspaceVisit site Therapy + psychiatry Adults	Talkspace says some of its therapists offer grief counseling in their practice and can help people deal with loss. Limit: Talkspace says only some of its therapists offer grief counseling, so it depends on the therapist matched. CBTACTProlonged grief disorder therapy	Bills insurance in network	Talkspace states that out-of-pocket pricing for therapy starts at $69 per week and that most insured members have a $0 copay. It gives no separate grief price.
ThriveworksVisit site Insurance marketplace AdultsTeensChildren	Thriveworks offers grief and loss counseling, with specialized grief services for couples, families, children and teens. CBT	Bills insurance in network	Self-pay talk therapy costs $200 to $240 for an intake session and $160 to $195 for a follow-up, depending on the state.
7 CupsVisit site Peer & group support	7 Cups says it offers online grief therapy and support to people dealing with grief. Groups: 7 Cups runs a grief chat room that its page calls a safe space to share memories and express emotions; the page does not say who leads it.	Self-pay only	7 Cups lists messaging therapy with a licensed therapist, with Premium included, at $159.00 per month.
ZencareVisit site Therapist directory	Zencare says people can find therapists on Zencare who specialize in loss and grief. CBTInterpersonal therapyProlonged grief disorder therapyACT	Depends on the provider	No self-pay price published
AlmaVisit site Insurance marketplace	Alma has grief therapy pages saying its directory lists therapists who help with grief, filterable by insurance, format and availability.	Bills insurance in network	Alma says therapists set their own rate for out-of-network care and many use a sliding scale. It states no grief price.
AmwellVisit site Telehealth platform	Amwell has a grief counseling page that says its online therapists and psychiatrists can be particularly useful for people dealing with grief. Limit: Amwell says its therapists treat children ages 10 to 17 with parental or guardian consent.	Bills insurance: services covered vary by plan; some cover urgent care but not therapy	~$142/session
Anywhere ClinicVisit site Therapy + psychiatry Adults	Anywhere Clinic lists Grief/Loss among the conditions for which its clinicians provide psychiatric evaluation and ongoing treatment. CBTEMDRACTPsychodynamic	Bills insurance in network Medicaid: varies by state: in network in 13 states and D.C. on its state pages; not Medi-Cal or Illinois Medicaid	Self-pay is $150 for new and follow-up visits.
Array Behavioral CareVisit site Therapy + psychiatry	Array Behavioral Care lists grief and loss among the mental health conditions its clinicians treat. CBTDBT	Bills insurance in network Medicaid: Medi-Cal in California only	Self-pay therapy is $60 for 30 minutes, $75 for 45 minutes or $107.50 for 60 minutes, with a $275 initial psychotherapy evaluation.
BetterHelpVisit site Subscription therapy FTC order: $7.8 million over sharing health data for advertising Adults	BetterHelp says it has therapists who specialize in grief, among many other issues; it serves adults and says it is not right for minors. Limit: BetterHelp says it is not the right solution for a minor or a person under the care of a legal guardian.	Bills insurance in network	BetterHelp's US home page states $70-$100 per week for its therapy (not grief-specific).
BrightlineVisit site Pediatric care TeensChildren	Brightline lists grief among the concerns its clinicians treat, for kids and teens up to age 18.	Bills insurance in network	Out-of-pocket therapy sessions at Brightline (not grief-specific): typically $350 for the initial session and $200 to $275 for each ongoing session.
Brightside HealthVisit site Therapy + psychiatry Teens	Brightside's teen care page says its providers help teens process losses and move forward, under a grief and loss concern. CBT	Bills insurance in network Medicaid: some plans in Oregon, North Carolina, Nebraska and Washington	Brightside states teen therapy costs $299 per month for four video sessions and unlimited messaging. It gives no separate grief price.
CerebralVisit site Therapy + psychiatry FTC order: health data shared for advertising and hard-to-cancel subscriptions, about $7 million Justice Department and DEA: non-prosecution agreement over controlled-substance prescribing, $3.65 million forfeited New York Attorney General settlement: more than $740,000 over cancellation practices	Cerebral's help center lists grief and loss among the other concerns its clinicians can support, beyond the conditions it treats. CBTDBTPsychodynamic	Bills insurance in network	Cerebral states therapy is $150 per session, charged when booked. It gives no separate price for grief support.
Charlie HealthVisit site Intensive outpatientAges 8-64 Adults	Charlie Health lists grief among the reasons adults come to its virtual intensive outpatient program. Limit: Charlie Health describes its virtual program as intensive outpatient care for people with serious mental health conditions.	Bills insurance in network Medicaid: states where intensive outpatient care is covered	No self-pay price published
Daybreak HealthVisit site Pediatric careLimited availability TeensChildren	Daybreak Health lists grief among the challenges its clinicians work on with kids. CBT	Bills insurance in network Takes Medicaid	Daybreak says care is usually free or low-cost through a partner school (not grief-specific).
Grow TherapyVisit site Insurance marketplace	Grow says its therapists support bereavement, loss and life transitions, and that grief therapy is covered by insurance.	Bills insurance in network Medicaid: most states, plan by plan	Grow's grief page states that sessions average $21 with insurance. It states no cash price.
Headspace CareVisit site Employer / EAP	Headspace says its providers support more than 36 specialties, including grief. CBTACTDBT	Bills insurance in network Medicaid: select managed Medicaid plans only	Therapy costs $149 per session when paid out of pocket without insurance.
HeadwayVisit site Insurance marketplace	Headway's provider help center lists prolonged grief disorder (complicated grief) among the diagnosis codes its providers can bill to insurance.	Bills insurance in network Medicaid: select Medicaid managed care plans in some states	No self-pay price published
Little OtterVisit site Youth & family22 states + DC TeensChildren	Little Otter lists grief/loss among the concerns its providers can help with, in therapy and psychiatry for children from birth to 18.	Bills insurance in network Medicaid: Minnesota's Blue Plus Medical Assistance	Therapy sessions cost $200 per session when not covered by insurance.
MDLIVEVisit site Therapy + psychiatry	MDLIVE lists loss of a loved one among the common reasons people seek care from its therapists and psychiatrists. CBTMindfulness-based	Bills insurance in network Medicaid: through participating plans	MDLIVE states $0 to $179 for an initial therapist visit and $0 to $140 for follow-ups, depending on insurance (a general therapy price, not specific to grief).
Meru HealthVisit site Therapy + psychiatryLimited availability	Meru Health lists navigating grief among the life transitions its program supports, to help people move through loss. CBTMindfulness-based	Bills insurance in network	$79/week for the 12-week program
MonumentVisit site Addiction careLimited availability FTC and Justice Department court order: ban on sharing health data for advertising, $2.5 million penalty suspended Adults	Monument's mental health page lists grief and loss among the areas its therapists specialize in.	Bills insurance in network	Monument advertises $25 flat-rate medical or mental health appointments with insurance (not grief-specific).
Prosper HealthVisit site Autism care Adults	Prosper Health says it can help autistic adults with grief through insurance-covered, neurodiversity-affirming therapy. Limit: Prosper Health describes itself as an adult autism therapy and diagnosis provider.	Bills insurance in network	Self-pay therapy costs $125 per session for clients not in-network with insurance.
RulaVisit site Insurance marketplace	Rula has a grief therapy page saying it offers grief therapy by video, phone and in person where available.	Bills insurance in network Medicaid: managed Medicaid for select states and insurers; therapy only	Rula's grief page says many insured patients pay between $0 and $25 per session for outpatient therapy. It states no cash price for grief therapy.
Spring HealthVisit site Employer / EAP	Spring Health says its providers support concerns including grief, alongside anxiety, depression, stress, relationship issues and trauma. CBTDBT	Bills insurance in network	Spring Health says cost depends on how care is accessed: many employer benefits and health plans cover some or all therapy costs, and for direct payment each provider sets its rate.
Teladoc Health (Mental Health)Visit site Therapy + psychiatry	Teladoc Health says on a grief article that it can help with feelings of loss and grief through a virtual appointment with a mental health counselor.	Bills insurance in network Medicaid managed care plans only, not fee-for-service	Teladoc Health states therapy visits cost $95 when paying yourself (a general therapy price, not specific to grief).
Two ChairsVisit site Insurance marketplace27 states + DC Adults	Two Chairs lists going through grief or loss among the difficult experiences where it says the support of a therapist can help. CBTPsychodynamicEMDR	Bills insurance in network Medicaid: Medi-Cal through Kaiser Northern California	Therapy costs $226 per session for ongoing care, the same for self-pay and out-of-network.
WellniteVisit site Therapy + psychiatry AdultsTeens	Wellnite has a Grief, Loss condition page listing therapists for grief in individual, couple, family and teen (13 and older) therapy.	Bills insurance in network	Wellnite states an out-of-pocket individual therapy session costs $75 and a couples session $135 (a general therapy price, not specific to grief).
CalmerryVisit site Subscription therapy Adults	Calmerry has a dedicated online grief counseling page: its video chat grief therapy connects people with licensed counselors. Limit: Calmerry's terms say a person must be 18 or older to use its emotional support service.	Out of network only	Calmerry says the price of grief counseling depends on the chosen plan, with the most affordable plans starting as little as $50 for the first month.
JoyousVisit site Ketamine therapy Adults	Joyous says its low-dose ketamine treatment has helped patients manage grief, including after losing a loved one.	Self-pay only	Plans start as low as $129 per month.
Klarity HealthVisit site Psychiatry50 states	Klarity lists grief and loss among the common areas of support its licensed therapists cover. CBTDBT	Depends on the provider	Therapy sessions start at $20 to $40 self-pay, or are covered by most insurance.
MindbloomVisit site Ketamine therapy Adults	Mindbloom offers a ketamine-based program called Mindbloom for Grief for people mourning a loved one or facing other major loss. Limit: Mindbloom requires a diagnosis of anxiety, depression or PTSD for treatment, and a clinician decides eligibility.	Out of network only	The 6-session new-client program costs $1,290 total, which is $215 per session.
Online-Therapy.comVisit site Subscription therapy Adults	Online-Therapy.com's Coping With Grief article closes under the heading Online-Therapy.com Can Help: a chosen therapist works with the person on a toolkit for grief. It has no dedicated grief page. Limit: Online-Therapy.com says its online therapy platform is not optimized for children. CBT	Out of network only	Online-Therapy.com states its subscription rates start at $48 per week, which includes a 20% discount for the first month.
Open Path Psychotherapy CollectiveVisit site Therapist directory	Open Path's therapist directory shows Grief & Loss as a specialty on therapist profiles, so people can find member therapists who list it. Limit: Open Path serves people who cannot afford market-rate therapy and are uninsured or underinsured.	Self-pay only	Open Path states the per-session fee for its member therapists starts at $40 and goes up to $70 for individual counseling (a general fee, not specific to grief).
PlushCareVisit site Telehealth platform Adults	PlushCare says you can get grief counseling in a video session with a licensed therapist. Limit: Its online therapy program is for people 18 and older and does not cover families, couples or people under 18.	Bills insurance: doctor and psychiatry visits only; therapy is self-pay	Online therapy with a licensed therapist costs $169 per session.
QuickMDVisit site Addiction care Adults	QuickMD's addiction counseling sessions include support for co-occurring issues such as grief. Limit: QuickMD says counseling is available only to patients currently enrolled in its medication-assisted treatment (MAT) program.	Self-pay only	QuickMD addiction counseling sessions cost $19 each (not grief-specific).
SesameVisit site Cash marketplace	Sesame's blog says one Sesame clinician is a licensed psychotherapist who specializes in grief, loss and trauma; it has no grief program page. Limit: Sesame is a marketplace where patients book directly with individual providers, so grief care depends on which therapist is booked.	Out of network only	From about $79 per session
Lyra Health Employer / EAPEmployer or plan benefit	Lyra says its therapists support members through grief, along with anxiety, depression and relationship struggles. Limit: Lyra care is available only to people whose employer offers Lyra as a benefit. CBTDBT	Employer or plan benefit only	Lyra says cost depends on the employer's plan: many members get a set number of therapy or coaching sessions at no cost, others pay low copays or cost-sharing for extended care.

Read from each service's own pages on Oct 30, 2026. Prices are stated per session, per week or per month, as each source states them.

Free grief support

Free grief support groups, helplines and programs

Each verified on its own official page. Most are peer support led by people who have lived the same loss, not counseling with a clinician.

988 Suicide & Crisis LifelineNationalCrisis line

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is free, confidential and available 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

Who: Anyone
What it gives: Crisis counseling by call, text or chat (not therapy)
Cost: Free
How to start: Call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org

Crisis Text LineNationalCrisis line

Crisis Text Line offers free, confidential support 24 hours a day to anyone facing mental health challenges.

Who: Anyone
What it gives: Text support from trained volunteer crisis counselors (not therapy)
Cost: Free
How to start: Text HOME to 741741

The Compassionate FriendsNational: local chapters and online live chatsPeer support

There is never a charge to attend a Compassionate Friends meeting.

Who: Parents, grandparents and siblings grieving the death of a child of any age, from any cause
What it gives: In-person chapter meetings, and online live-chat rooms called virtual chapters
Cost: No charge to attend a meeting; chapters rely on voluntary donations
How to start: Find a chapter with the chapter locator, or join an online live chat

AFSP suicide loss support group finderUnited States and internationalFree directory

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention lists suicide bereavement support groups as a public service and does not run, recommend, endorse or fund the groups listed.

Who: People bereaved by suicide
What it gives: A searchable list of in-person and online suicide bereavement support groups
How to start: Pick a group type (in-person, nationwide online, outside the U.S.) and enter a zip code on afsp.org/find-a-support-group

Soaring Spirits InternationalNational, onlinePeer support

Newly Widowed Virtual Program meetings are open to approved members of Soaring Spirits' no-cost Widowed Village Online forum.

Who: Widowed people; the weekly meeting is for those widowed within the last year
What it gives: A weekly Zoom meeting with guest speakers and resource sharing, plus the Widowed Village online forum
Cost: No cost for the Widowed Village Online forum
How to start: Join the Widowed Village Online forum; meeting links go to approved members

TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors)National and worldwideHelpline

TAPS provides 24/7 peer support and connection to grief resources at no cost to surviving families and loved ones.

Who: Anyone grieving a death in the military or veteran community
What it gives: A 24/7 National Military Survivor Helpline, a peer support network, and connection to grief resources and counseling in the community
Cost: No cost to surviving families and loved ones
How to start: Call 800-959-TAPS (8277) at any hour

VA Vet Center bereavement counselingNational: Vet Centers across the countryMilitary and veterans

Vet Centers provide no cost, confidential bereavement counseling to eligible family members across the country.

Who: Family members of Armed Forces personnel who died in service, Reservists and National Guard members who died on duty, certain Veterans, and Veterans and service members who die by suicide
What it gives: Confidential bereavement counseling at a Vet Center
Cost: No cost
How to start: Use the Vet Center Location Finder or call the Vet Center Call Center at 1-877-927-8387

National Alliance for Children's Grief: find a support center or campUnited States and a few other countriesFree directory

The National Alliance for Children's Grief hosts a finder for grief support centers and camps near a visitor.

Who: Families, caregivers and professionals looking for grief support for a child, teen or young adult
What it gives: A searchable list of grief support centers and camps that can be filtered by zip code, service type, age group, price and language
Cost: Free to search; each program sets its own cost, and the finder has a free-services-only filter
How to start: Open the finder and search by zip code or filter by service type, age group and price

Dougy Center worldwide program directoryWorldwide directory; Dougy Center's own groups are in Portland, OregonFree directory

Dougy Center offers a worldwide program directory for finding a grief support center near a visitor.

Who: Children, teens, young adults and families who are grieving
What it gives: A searchable directory of grief support centers; Dougy Center also provides peer grief support and free resources
How to start: Search the worldwide program directory on dougy.org

Experience CampsUnited StatesNonprofit care

Experience Camps offers no-cost summer camps and other in-person programming for grieving children throughout the United States.

Who: Grieving children
What it gives: Summer camps and other in-person programming for grieving children, plus digital programs
Cost: No cost
How to start: Apply through experiencecamps.org

GriefShareNational: church-hosted groups, in person and onlinePeer support

For most GriefShare groups the cost ranges from free to around $25 to cover the cost of the participant guide.

Who: Adults grieving the death of a spouse, parent, child, friend, sibling, coworker or other relative; the program includes biblical content
What it gives: Weekly groups with a 30-minute video and group discussion over a 13-week cycle, plus a participant guide
Cost: Free to around $25 for most groups, to cover the participant guide
How to start: Find a group (in person or online) on griefshare.org and contact the hosting church

Alliance of Hope for Suicide Loss SurvivorsNational and onlineNonprofit care

The Alliance of Hope for Suicide Loss Survivors is a nonprofit that provides healing support for people who have lost loved ones to suicide.

Who: People who have lost loved ones to suicide
What it gives: Healing support, including an online community forum and consultations
How to start: Go to allianceofhope.org and open the community forum

Hospice bereavement programNational: Medicare-certified hospicesOfficial guidance

Federal rules require a hospice to make bereavement services available to the family and others in the bereavement plan of care for up to 1 year after the patient's death.

Who: The family and other individuals named in a hospice patient's bereavement plan of care
What it gives: Bereavement services from an organized program supervised by a qualified professional
How to start: Ask the hospice that cared for the patient about its bereavement services

What to know

Grief, prolonged grief disorder, insurance and the research

From the American Psychiatric Association, Medicare's rules and the published trials.

When grief becomes a diagnosis

What prolonged grief disorder is

The American Psychiatric Association describes prolonged grief disorder as intense and persistent grief that causes problems and interferes with daily life.

When prolonged grief disorder is diagnosed

For a prolonged grief disorder diagnosis, the death must have occurred at least a year ago for adults and at least 6 months ago for children and adolescents, according to the American Psychiatric Association.

Prolonged grief disorder in the DSM

The American Psychiatric Association says that including prolonged grief disorder's diagnostic criteria in DSM-5-TR gives clinicians a common standard to tell normal grief from persistent, enduring and disabling grief.

How many bereaved adults are affected

The American Psychiatric Association gives an estimate that 4% to 15% of bereaved adults experience the persistent symptoms of prolonged grief disorder.

What that means for insurance

The billing code for prolonged grief disorder

The American Psychiatric Association's DSM-5-TR update lists the code for prolonged grief disorder as F43.8 through September 30, 2022 and F43.81 from October 1, 2022.

Medicare covers individual and group psychotherapy

Medicare Part B covers individual and group psychotherapy with doctors and certain other Medicare-enrolled licensed professionals, as state rules allow.

Marketplace plans cover mental health services

HealthCare.gov says all Marketplace plans cover mental health and substance abuse services as essential health benefits.

Behavioral health benefits depend on the plan

HealthCare.gov says the specific behavioral health benefits depend on the state and the health plan chosen.

Bereavement care after a hospice death

Hospice bereavement services last up to 1 year

Federal rules require a hospice to make bereavement services available to the family and others in the bereavement plan of care for up to 1 year after the patient's death.

Hospice bereavement counseling is required but not reimbursable

Federal rules call bereavement counseling a required hospice service that is not reimbursable.

What the research shows

Complicated grief treatment beat interpersonal therapy (2005)

In a 2005 randomized trial in JAMA, the response rate was 51% for complicated grief treatment and 28% for interpersonal psychotherapy.

An antidepressant did not improve grief treatment

In a 2016 JAMA Psychiatry randomized trial, adding the antidepressant citalopram to complicated grief treatment did not significantly improve the grief response (83.7% with citalopram vs 82.5% with placebo).

CBT for prolonged grief in children and teens

In a randomized clinical trial of children and adolescents with prolonged grief disorder, a CBT program (CBT Grief-Help) cut prolonged grief symptoms more than supportive counseling at all posttreatment assessments.

No medication is approved for grief symptoms

The American Psychiatric Association says there are currently no medications to treat specific symptoms of grief.

Grief therapy online: the research

Internet-based grief programs: 2021 meta-analysis

A 2021 systematic review and meta-analysis in JMIR Mental Health concluded that internet- or mobile-based interventions might be an effective treatment approach against symptoms of grief in bereaved adults.

Online CBT after a traumatic death: 2023 trial

A 2023 randomized waitlist-controlled trial concluded that internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy appears a promising treatment for traumatically bereaved adults.

Medicare covers psychotherapy by telehealth

Medicare.gov lists psychotherapy among the services that can be delivered by telehealth.

How you pay

Grief counseling with insurance, Medicaid, or without

The services above that a person can start on their own, by how they can be paid.

Bill insurance in network (28)

Name Medicaid (15)

Publish a price without insurance (36)

Questions

Online grief counseling, answered

Can you get grief counseling online?: Yes. 40 online services say on their own pages that their clinicians help with grief and loss, and 3 run a grief or loss group: LifeStance Health, SonderMind and 7 Cups.
Is there free grief counseling online?: Free grief support is mostly peer support groups and helplines rather than counseling with a licensed clinician. 9 free options are listed here, each checked on its own page: 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, Crisis Text Line, The Compassionate Friends, Soaring Spirits International, TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors), VA Vet Center bereavement counseling, National Alliance for Children's Grief: find a support center or camp and Experience Camps. Federal rules require a hospice to make bereavement services available to the family and others in the bereavement plan of care for up to 1 year after the patient's death.
Does BetterHelp offer grief counseling?: BetterHelp says it has therapists who specialize in grief, among many other issues; it serves adults and says it is not right for minors.
Does Talkspace offer grief counseling?: Talkspace says some of its therapists offer grief counseling in their practice and can help people deal with loss.
Does insurance cover grief counseling?: The American Psychiatric Association's DSM-5-TR update lists the code for prolonged grief disorder as F43.8 through September 30, 2022 and F43.81 from October 1, 2022. Medicare Part B covers individual and group psychotherapy with doctors and certain other Medicare-enrolled licensed professionals, as state rules allow. HealthCare.gov says all Marketplace plans cover mental health and substance abuse services as essential health benefits. HealthCare.gov says the specific behavioral health benefits depend on the state and the health plan chosen. 28 of the services here that help with grief bill insurance in network: Doctor On Demand, LifeStance Health, SonderMind, Talkspace, Thriveworks, Alma, Amwell, Anywhere Clinic, Array Behavioral Care, BetterHelp, Brightline, Brightside Health, Cerebral, Charlie Health, Daybreak Health, Grow Therapy, Headspace Care, Headway, Little Otter, MDLIVE, Meru Health, Monument, Prosper Health, Rula, Spring Health, Teladoc Health (Mental Health), Two Chairs and Wellnite. Ask your plan and the clinician whether grief counseling is covered before you start.
Is there online grief counseling for kids and teens?: 7 services here say they help children or teens with grief: Doctor On Demand, Thriveworks, Brightline, Brightside Health, Daybreak Health, Little Otter and Wellnite. The free programs below include support for grieving children and families.
What is prolonged grief disorder?: The American Psychiatric Association describes prolonged grief disorder as intense and persistent grief that causes problems and interferes with daily life. For a prolonged grief disorder diagnosis, the death must have occurred at least a year ago for adults and at least 6 months ago for children and adolescents, according to the American Psychiatric Association. The American Psychiatric Association says that including prolonged grief disorder's diagnostic criteria in DSM-5-TR gives clinicians a common standard to tell normal grief from persistent, enduring and disabling grief. The American Psychiatric Association gives an estimate that 4% to 15% of bereaved adults experience the persistent symptoms of prolonged grief disorder.
Does grief therapy work online?: A 2021 systematic review and meta-analysis in JMIR Mental Health concluded that internet- or mobile-based interventions might be an effective treatment approach against symptoms of grief in bereaved adults. A 2023 randomized waitlist-controlled trial concluded that internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy appears a promising treatment for traumatically bereaved adults. Medicare.gov lists psychotherapy among the services that can be delivered by telehealth. In a 2005 randomized trial in JAMA, the response rate was 51% for complicated grief treatment and 28% for interpersonal psychotherapy. In a 2016 JAMA Psychiatry randomized trial, adding the antidepressant citalopram to complicated grief treatment did not significantly improve the grief response (83.7% with citalopram vs 82.5% with placebo). In a randomized clinical trial of children and adolescents with prolonged grief disorder, a CBT program (CBT Grief-Help) cut prolonged grief symptoms more than supportive counseling at all posttreatment assessments. The American Psychiatric Association says there are currently no medications to treat specific symptoms of grief.

OnlineTherapy.me is an informational data platform, not a medical provider or insurer. What each service offers is its own statement on the dates shown and can change. If you are thinking about suicide or are in danger, call or text 988, or call 911.

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