• Mental Health
    • Anxiety
      • What is Anxiety?
      • Types of Anxiety Disorders
      • Signs & Symptoms of Anxiety
      • Treatments for Anxiety
      • Anxiety Statistics
      • See More Anxiety Content
      • Find an Anxiety Specialist
    • Depression
      • What is Depression?
      • Types of Depression
      • Signs & Symptoms of Depression
      • Treatments for Depression
      • Depression Statistics
      • Find a Depression Specialist
    • Bipolar Disorder
      • What is Bipolar Disorder?
      • Bipolar I vs. Bipolar II
      • Signs & Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder
      • What Are Bipolar Disorder Cycles?
      • Treatments for Bipolar Disorder
      • Find a Bipolar Disorder Specialist
    • ADHD
      • What is ADHD?
      • ADHD Signs & Symptoms
      • ADHD & Depression
      • Find an ADHD Specialist
    • Addiction
      • What is Addiction?
      • What Are Behavioral Addictions?
      • Addiction vs Dependence
      • Addiction Myths vs Facts
      • Addiction Statistics
      • How to Help a Friend
      • Find an Addiction Specialist
    • Eating Disorders
      • Anorexia
      • Bulimia
    • Personality Disorders
      • Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder
        • OCD vs. OCPD
    • Trauma
      • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
        • PTSD & COVID-19
      • Childhood Trauma
    • Sexual Disorders
      • Gender Dysphoria
      • Anorgasmia
      • Female Sexual Arousal Disorder (FSAD)
      • Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD)
      • Premature Ejaculation (PE)
      • Delayed Ejaculation
    • Schizophrenia
  • Therapy Techniques
    • Online Therapy
      • Best Online Therapy
      • Online Therapy for Teens
      • Best LGBTQ Online Therapy
      • Best Online Therapy for Insurance
    • Psychotherapy
    • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
      • CBT for Anxiety
      • CBT for Social Anxiety
      • CBT for Panic Disorder
      • CBT for Insomnia
      • CBT Online
    • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
      • DBT for Teens
    • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
    • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
      • EMDR for PTSD
      • EMDR for Anxiety
      • EMDR Online
    • Art Therapy
    • Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
    • Exposure and Response Prevention
    • Group Therapy
    • Hypnotherapy
    • Motivational Interviewing
    • Person Centered Therapy
    • Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy
    • Sex Therapy
  • Types of Therapists
    • Faith-Based & Christian Counselors
    • Life Coaching
    • Family Therapist
      • Child & Teen Counseling
    • Marriage & Couples Counselors
      • Premarital Counseling
    • Psychiatrist
      • Psychology vs. Psychiatry
    • Psychotherapist
    • Grief Counselors
    • Online Therapists
  • Starting Therapy FAQ
    • Does Therapy Work?
      • How to Find a Therapist
      • Helping a Friend or Loved One
    • How to Choose a Therapist
      • Finding a Black Therapist
      • Finding a Latinx Therapist
      • Finding an LGBTQ-Friendly Therapist
      • Finding a Therapist as a Young Adult
      • Finding an Online Therapist
    • Preparing for Your First Session
    • Types of Mental Health Professionals
    • Mental Health Insurance
      • HSAs for Therapy
      • Sliding Scale Therapy Fees
    • Mental Health in the Workplace
      • Asking for a Mental Health Day
      • Taking Time Off for Mental Health
    • Top Mental Health Organizations
      • Mental Health Resources Outside the U.S.
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Editorial Policy
    • Advertising Policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact Us
    • Write for Us
    • Join the Directory
    • Careers
  • Therapist Directory
    • Find a Therapist
    • Join the Directory
    • Directory Login
  • Mental Health
    • Anxiety
      • What is Anxiety?
      • Types of Anxiety Disorders
      • Signs & Symptoms of Anxiety
      • Treatments for Anxiety
      • Anxiety Statistics
      • See More Anxiety Content
      • Find an Anxiety Specialist
    • Depression
      • What is Depression?
      • Types of Depression
      • Signs & Symptoms of Depression
      • Treatments for Depression
      • Depression Statistics
      • Find a Depression Specialist
    • Bipolar Disorder
      • What is Bipolar Disorder?
      • Bipolar I vs. Bipolar II
      • Signs & Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder
      • What Are Bipolar Disorder Cycles?
      • Treatments for Bipolar Disorder
      • Find a Bipolar Disorder Specialist
    • ADHD
      • What is ADHD?
      • ADHD Signs & Symptoms
      • ADHD & Depression
      • Find an ADHD Specialist
    • Addiction
      • What is Addiction?
      • What Are Behavioral Addictions?
      • Addiction vs Dependence
      • Addiction Myths vs Facts
      • Addiction Statistics
      • How to Help a Friend
      • Find an Addiction Specialist
    • Eating Disorders
      • Anorexia
      • Bulimia
    • Personality Disorders
      • Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder
        • OCD vs. OCPD
    • Trauma
      • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
        • PTSD & COVID-19
      • Childhood Trauma
    • Sexual Disorders
      • Gender Dysphoria
      • Anorgasmia
      • Female Sexual Arousal Disorder (FSAD)
      • Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD)
      • Premature Ejaculation (PE)
      • Delayed Ejaculation
    • Schizophrenia
  • Therapy Techniques
    • Online Therapy
      • Best Online Therapy
      • Online Therapy for Teens
      • Best LGBTQ Online Therapy
      • Best Online Therapy for Insurance
    • Psychotherapy
    • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
      • CBT for Anxiety
      • CBT for Social Anxiety
      • CBT for Panic Disorder
      • CBT for Insomnia
      • CBT Online
    • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
      • DBT for Teens
    • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
    • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
      • EMDR for PTSD
      • EMDR for Anxiety
      • EMDR Online
    • Art Therapy
    • Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
    • Exposure and Response Prevention
    • Group Therapy
    • Hypnotherapy
    • Motivational Interviewing
    • Person Centered Therapy
    • Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy
    • Sex Therapy
  • Types of Therapists
    • Faith-Based & Christian Counselors
    • Life Coaching
    • Family Therapist
      • Child & Teen Counseling
    • Marriage & Couples Counselors
      • Premarital Counseling
    • Psychiatrist
      • Psychology vs. Psychiatry
    • Psychotherapist
    • Grief Counselors
    • Online Therapists
  • Starting Therapy FAQ
    • Does Therapy Work?
      • How to Find a Therapist
      • Helping a Friend or Loved One
    • How to Choose a Therapist
      • Finding a Black Therapist
      • Finding a Latinx Therapist
      • Finding an LGBTQ-Friendly Therapist
      • Finding a Therapist as a Young Adult
      • Finding an Online Therapist
    • Preparing for Your First Session
    • Types of Mental Health Professionals
    • Mental Health Insurance
      • HSAs for Therapy
      • Sliding Scale Therapy Fees
    • Mental Health in the Workplace
      • Asking for a Mental Health Day
      • Taking Time Off for Mental Health
    • Top Mental Health Organizations
      • Mental Health Resources Outside the U.S.
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Editorial Policy
    • Advertising Policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact Us
    • Write for Us
    • Join the Directory
    • Careers
  • Therapist Directory
    • Find a Therapist
    • Join the Directory
    • Directory Login
Skip to content

The Five Stages of Grief

Published: October 21, 2022 Updated: January 24, 2023
Published: 10/21/2022 Updated: 01/24/2023
Headshot of Dakota King-White, Ph.D., LPC
Written by:

Dakota King-White

Ph.D., LPC
Headshot of Trishanna Sookdeo, MD, MPH, FAAFP
Reviewed by:

Trishanna Sookdeo

MD, MPH, FAAFP
  • What Are the Five Stages of Grief?Stages of Grief
  • DenialDenial
  • AngerAnger
  • BargainingBargaining
  • DepressionDepression
  • AcceptanceAcceptance
  • Other Models of Processing GriefOther Models
  • Getting Help For GriefGet Help
  • How to Find a TherapistFind a Therapist
  • Final Thoughts On the Stages of GriefConclusion
  • Additional ResourcesResources
  • Five Stages of Grief InfographicsInfographics
Headshot of Dakota King-White, Ph.D., LPC
Written by:

Dakota King-White

Ph.D., LPC
Headshot of Trishanna Sookdeo, MD, MPH, FAAFP
Reviewed by:

Trishanna Sookdeo

MD, MPH, FAAFP

Grief is defined as a strong, sometimes overwhelming emotion for people who have experienced loss.1 One model of understanding and processing grief is the Five Stages of Grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Like other models, this model is not right or wrong. It is just a way to help people understand and navigate the grief process.

Grief can be extremely lonely. A therapist can help you get through this difficult period. BetterHelp has over 20,000 licensed therapists who provide convenient and affordable online therapy. BetterHelp starts at $60 per week. Complete a brief questionnaire and get matched with the right therapist for you.

Choosing Therapy partners with leading mental health companies and is compensated for marketing by BetterHelp

Visit BetterHelp

What Are the Five Stages of Grief?

Grief is the response to loss that may have an impact on a person emotionally, psychologically, and physically.2 Elisabeth Kübler­-Ross focused on the five stages of grief including phases of denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.3

The stages of grief are a journey, and one will not experience these stages in any specific order. One may experience one stage longer or shorter than the other. It is also important to note that everyone who goes through the grieving process may not experience all five stages.

Here are specific grief reactions that can occur during the five stages:

  • Uncontrollable crying
  • Feelings of sadness
  • Hopelessness
  • Frustration
  • Avoidance
  • Shutting down
  • Changes in sleeping patterns

Sherry Cormier, PhD Licensed Psychologist and Certified Bereavement Trauma Specialist“Grief is a normal reaction to losing someone or something precious. Yet no two grievers experience loss in identical ways,” says Sherry Cormier, PhD, Licensed Psychologist and Certified Bereavement Trauma Specialist. “Some grievers describe their grief journey in terms that sound like the stages of grief – denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.

Yet this stage model of grief doesn’t work for everyone. Not all grievers experience these stages and, if they do, not necessarily in order. As a bereavement trauma specialist, I believe this is because healing from loss is not a linear process. Instead, it is cyclical, much like the waves of the ocean that intensify and diminish depending on various climate factors. So, too, does the experience of grief vary – depending on context and culture.”9

Here are the five stages of grief:

1. Denial

Denial is a common coping mechanism when dealing with a loss. Processing a loss can bring about various emotions and can be difficult to accept. In an effort to deal with the array of emotions associated with the grief, some people’s reaction is to deny the loss. This process can be short term or longer lasting.

Kübler­-Ross states that if people used denial in their lives previously as a main defense mechanism to cope with difficult situations, it is very likely that they will use this when they are experiencing a loss.2 Therefore, it is useful to assess how one normally copes with challenging situations.

However, one must note that denial is used quite often and most likely used as a buffer when people face challenging situations, with denial helping them process the situation on their own terms. Kübler­-Ross says that denial is just a short solution and often will be replaced with another way to cope.3

2. Anger

As stated earlier, grief elicits an array of emotions. When someone is processing grief, there is always an element of anger.3 However, one must note that anger shows up in many forms. Some ways that the anger stage of grief often manifests are through outbursts, rage, extreme sadness, and isolation.

It is also pertinent to process the underlying emotions (eg., sadness, hurt, frustration, fear) under the anger that is being exhibited when someone experiences a loss. With others, it can also be beneficial to identify, question, and reflect on the origin of the anger.

3. Bargaining

Bargaining is defined as negotiating in order to get a desired outcome or postpone the inevitable.3 At this stage, the person is wrestling with accepting the loss. For example, a person might be trying to make a deal that if the pain ends, they will be better or do something in exchange for the pain to stop. Bargaining is a way for a person who is grieving a loss to take control over the situation.

4. Depression

Depression is another stage that a person may experience when facing a loss. A heaviness and a deep sadness when one experiences a loss is quite normal. There are two types of depression: reactive and preparatory.3 Preparatory depression is also something of which to be mindful, especially for people with loved ones who are coping with terminal illness.

Note the timeframe of depression when someone is grieving. If a person experiences depression with an overwhelming sense of hopelessness, they should have a safe place to process those emotions. If a person begins to isolate themselves, they should ask for help from their support system, including friends, family, mental health professionals, support groups, or spiritual leaders.

5. Acceptance

When discussed in the five stages of grief, acceptance is not necessarily about being happy.3 At this stage, one has come to terms with the loss. This isn’t to say that situations related to the loss (e.g., the anniversary effect) will not trigger a person to experience the other stages again.

It’s vital for people at this stage to be patient with the process and accept that there may be triggers and situations that cause different feelings related to the loss and those feelings may present in different ways.

Help For Grief & Loss

Talk Therapy – Get personalized help in dealing with a loss from a licensed professional. BetterHelp offers online sessions by video or text. Try BetterHelp


Virtual Psychiatry – Get help from a real doctor that takes your insurance. Talkiatry offers medication management and online visits with top-rated psychiatrists. Take the online assessment and have your first appointment within a week. Free Assessment

Choosing Therapy partners with leading mental health companies and is compensated for marketing by Talkiatry and BetterHelp.

Other Models of Processing Grief

Elisabeth Kübler­-Ross’ five stages of grief have helped people to understand the grief process. However, there are other theorists and researchers who have researched the topic of grief and added additional information to the field.

Dr. Cormier notes, “The 5 stage model of grief is useful as a framework for grief recovery, although it is not a tool that is helpful when applied rigidly to all grievers. In my experience, grievers find various coping strategies helpful depending on whether the loss has occurred earlier or more recently, and also on the nature of the loss. Some losses are ambiguous, as is the case when losing a partner to dementia.

Some grief survivors have an enormous support network to help them through while others feel quite isolated. All of these factors play a role in how grief survivors heal.”9

The 7 Stages of Grief

Over the years, many have talked about Elisabeth Kübler­-Ross’ five stages of grief. More recently, people have been discussing the seven stages of grief. Again, it is important to note that these various stages can happen in a different order, some stages may be skipped, and others may not experience all the stages.

The seven stages of grief are:

  1. Shock: when one hears the news of loss, quite often the first response is shock or disbelief of the news
  2. Denial: denial, as stated earlier, can be a defense mechanism for one when experiencing a loss. This process of denial can be short lived or longer, depending on how the person experiences the loss.
  3. Anger: during the stage of anger, it is important to get to the root cause of the anger and understand the thoughts that are associated with the loss
  4. Bargaining: the bargaining stage is a way that people negotiate what it is that they would like to see as the outcome from the situation
  5. Guilt: when some people experience a loss, they also experience guilt. This guilt can come from various sources, and again, a person must assess to see the root cause of the guilt that they’re experiencing.
  6. Depression: depression is a grief reaction that many people may experience when suffering from a loss. Symptoms of depression may vary from person to person and must not be taken lightly.
  7. Acceptance and hope: acceptance and hope allows for a person who has experienced a loss to accept that the loss has occurred and begin to accept that life will be different due to the loss. During this stage, a person does not get over the loss but begins to move forward.

6 Rs of Grief

Dr. Therese Rando created the Six R Processes of Mourning, including recognizing the loss, reacting, recollecting, relinquishing, readjusting, and reinvesting.

The Six Rs consist of:4, 5

  1. Recognizing the loss: at the recognizing the loss stage, one acknowledges the death of the loved one and understands that the death has taken place
  2. Reacting to the separation: during reacting to the separation, one experiences the pain and actually feels, identifies, and accepts the separation due to the loss. During this stage, one also identifies and mourns secondary losses that they have experienced due to the loss.
  3. Recollecting and reexperiencing the loved one who has died: during this stage of mourning one may review and remember the loved one who has died. One may also reexperience emotions that they experienced previously.
  4. Relinquishing old attachments to the loved one who had died: during this phase one has to confront old attachments and be able to move forward with the new norm
  5. Readjusting to move into the new without forgetting the old: during this stage, one may create a new relationship with the loved one who is dead and adopt new ways of moving forward in the world without the loved one
  6. Reinvesting: at this stage, one may begin to compensate and reinvest in self to establish life without the loved one being present

The Dual Process by Margaret Stroebe & Henk Schut

The Dual Process Model (DPM) of Coping with Bereavement was created by Margaret Stroebe and Henk Schut in 1999. It provides describes coping with a loss in a way that provides some predictability to people who were grieving.6 The model was also created to predict good vs. poor adaptation to the stressful life event of losing a loved one.6

The key goal of the model is not a “one size fits all” model but a model that provides an explanation of the range of coping that is affiliated with the bereavement process.6 When Stroebe & Schut discuss coping in their model, they’re referring to the processes, strategies, or ways of managing situations in which bereavement places on the individual that is suffering the loss.6

Getting Help For Grief

Living with grief and loss is a unique journey that takes time and support to navigate. Some therapeutic supports include individual counseling, support groups, and bereavement groups.

Individual Counseling

Individual grief counseling sessions can help one process their loss, emotions related to the loss, and provide a safe place to discuss thoughts, triggers, and other information related to one’s journey of processing a loss.

Support Groups & Bereavement Groups

Support groups can also provide a layer of help when one is grieving a loss. Many support groups are put in place to normalize that grief reactions are normal and to help people connect with others who may be experiencing a loss. Some support groups may provide a psychoeducation component.

Through psychoeducation, participants can learn information about the grief process and healthy ways to cope based on research and literature that has addressed this topic. Support groups and bereavement groups may vary, as bereavement groups often focus on the specific person that group members have lost (eg., partner, parent, sibling).

Self-care

It’s important to identify healthy ways to cope with grief and loss through self-care, too. For example, set aside time to remember someone on their death anniversary or keep a grief journal.

Cormier adds, “For grievers suffering from a recent loss, coping strategies that promote equanimity are especially helpful. These include self-care (sleep, nutrition, exercise), social support, and grounding. For later bereavement, coping strategies that facilitate growth are suitable.”9

How to Find a Therapist

It can feel daunting to find a therapist, but a simple place to start is an online directory, where you can search for a mental health professional who specializes in helping people through grief.

Final Thoughts On the Stages of Grief

The steps of grief are varied, but it’s important not to shut these emotions off. Some of the ways to cope with loss include reaching out to a support system, practicing self-care, and seeking out the support of a mental health professional.

Additional Resources

Education is just the first step on our path to improved mental health and emotional wellness. To help our readers take the next step in their journey, Choosing Therapy has partnered with leaders in mental health and wellness. Choosing Therapy may be compensated for marketing by the companies mentioned below.

Online Therapy 

BetterHelp Get support and guidance from a licensed therapist. BetterHelp has over 20,000 therapists who provide convenient and affordable online therapy.  Complete a brief questionnaire and get matched with the right therapist for you. Get Started

Virtual Psychiatry

Talkiatry Get help from a real doctor that takes your insurance. Talkiatry offers medication management and online visits with top-rated psychiatrists. Take the online assessment and have your first appointment within a week Free Assessment

Support Groups

Sesh – Sesh offers 100+ live, interactive webinars per month facilitated by mental health professionals. Topics included, “Managing Emotional Guilt and Shame”, “Building Healthy Relationships”, and “Pressing The Breaks On Gaslighting”. Free One Month Trial

Guided Psychedelic Journeys

Innerwell Ketamine is a prescription medication that clinicians can prescribe off-label to treat trauma, depression, anxiety, and OCD. Innerwell pairs ketamine with support from licensed psychotherapists. Find out if you’re a good candidate: Take Online Assessment

Choosing Therapy partners with leading mental health companies and is compensated for marketing by Sesh, BetterHelp, Innerwell, and Talkiatry.

Five Stages of Grief Infographics

What Are The Five Stages of Grief Models of Processing Grief Getting Help for Someone Going Through Grief

9 sources

Choosing Therapy strives to provide our readers with mental health content that is accurate and actionable. We have high standards for what can be cited within our articles. Acceptable sources include government agencies, universities and colleges, scholarly journals, industry and professional associations, and other high-integrity sources of mental health journalism. Learn more by reviewing our full editorial policy.

  • Toth, P. L., Stockton, R., & Browne, F. (2000). College student grief and loss. In J. H. Harvey & E. D. Miller (Eds.), Loss and trauma: General and close relationship perspectives (p. 237–248). Brunner-Routledge.

  • What is grief? Mayo Clinic (2016). Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/patient-visitor-guide/support-groups/what-is-grief

  • Kübler­-Ross, E. (1969). On death and dying. New York: Scribner

  • Rando, T. (2014). What Therapists Need to Know About Traumatic Bereavement: What it is and how to Approach It. Retrieved from http://www.lowcountrymhconference.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/drrando_handout.pdf

  • Rando, T. (1992). The increasing prevalence of complicated mourning: The onslaught is just beginning. Retrieved from https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.2190/7MDL-RJTF-NA2D-NPQF

  • Stroebe, M. & Schut, H. (2010). The dual process model of coping with bereavement: A decade on. Baywood Publishing, Co. doi: 10.2190/OM.61.4.b

  • Stroebe M, Stroebe W, van de Schoot R, Schut H, Abakoumkin G, et al. (2014) Guilt in Bereavement: The Role of Self-Blame and Regret in Coping with Loss. PLOS ONE 9(5): e96606. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0096606

  • Zisook, S., & Shear, K. (2009). Grief and bereavement: What psychiatrists need to know. World Psychiatry, 8, 67–74.

  • Personal interview (2021). Sherry Cormier, PhD, Licensed Psychologist and Certified Bereavement Trauma Specialist.

update history

We regularly update the articles on ChoosingTherapy.com to ensure we continue to reflect scientific consensus on the topics we cover, to incorporate new research into our articles, and to better answer our audience’s questions. When our content undergoes a significant revision, we summarize the changes that were made and the date on which they occurred. We also record the authors and medical reviewers who contributed to previous versions of the article. Read more about our editorial policies here.

  • Originally Published: January 7, 2021
    Original Author: Dakota King-White, PhD, LPC
    Original Reviewer: Trishanna Sookdeo, MD, MPH, FAAFP

  • Updated: October 21, 2022
    Author: No Change
    Reviewer: No Change
    Primary Changes: Updated for readability and clarity. Reviewed and added relevant resources.

Recent Articles

Denial Stage of Grief: Examples, What to Expect, & How to Cope
Denial Stage of Grief: Examples, What to Expect, & How to Cope
The denial stage of grief is the first stage in Dr. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross’ five-stage model of grief. Denial allows...
';
Symptoms of Grief How to Cope When to Get Help
Symptoms of Grief: How to Cope & When to Get Help
Grief is a natural and involuntary human response after experiencing a significant loss with diverse reactions, including clusters of...
';
4 stages of grief
What to Know About the 4 Stages of Grief
Grief is a painful but normal part of the human experience. One model of grief categorizes this process into...
';
What Are the Physical Symptoms of Grief? Effects & How to Cope
What Are the Physical Symptoms of Grief? Effects & How to Cope
People often don't think of grief as anything other than emotional pain, failing to recognize the physical response to...
';
How to Console Someone Who is Grieving
How to Console Someone Who is Grieving: 17 Tips from a Therapist
Grief is a normal experience, yet can be difficult to navigate. Knowing how to console someone who’s grieving may...
';
Anger Stage of Grief
Anger Stage of Grief: Examples, What to Expect, & How to Cope
Many have yet to accept that anger is a common part of the human grieving experience. Sometimes, anger can...
';
Headshot of Dakota King-White, Ph.D., LPC
Written by:

Dakota King-White

Ph.D., LPC
Headshot of Trishanna Sookdeo, MD, MPH, FAAFP
Reviewed by:

Trishanna Sookdeo

MD, MPH, FAAFP
  • What Are the Five Stages of Grief?Stages of Grief
  • DenialDenial
  • AngerAnger
  • BargainingBargaining
  • DepressionDepression
  • AcceptanceAcceptance
  • Other Models of Processing GriefOther Models
  • Getting Help For GriefGet Help
  • How to Find a TherapistFind a Therapist
  • Final Thoughts On the Stages of GriefConclusion
  • Additional ResourcesResources
  • Five Stages of Grief InfographicsInfographics
If you are in need of immediate medical help:
Medical
Emergency
911
Suicide Hotline
800-273-8255
See more Crisis Hotlines
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Write for Us
  • Careers
  • Editorial Policy
  • Advertising Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • No Surprises Act
For immediate help call:
Medical Emergency:
911
Suicide Hotline:
988
Click For More Crisis Hotlines
For immediate help call:
Medical Emergency:
911
Suicide Hotline:
811
See more Crisis Hotlines
here
logo
This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information:
verify here.
This website is certified by Health On the Net Foundation. Click to verify.
Choosing Therapy Logo
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit Cookie Settings to provide controlled consent. Cookie settings ACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

We use cookies to facilitate website functionality. Also, we use third-party cookies to track your website behavior and target advertising. These cookies are stored in your browser only with your consent, and you have the choice of opting out.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non Necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.

Save & Accept