KiNSHIP counseling COLLECTIVE

Grief Counseling

San Francisco & Bay Area

Online in California & Oregon

Grief Counseling in San Francisco Bay Area by BIPOC Therapists

Grief is heavy. It can feel like shock, numbness, exhaustion, or waves of intense sadness, anger, or guilt. It can show up as sleepless nights, loss of appetite, or feeling out of sync with the world—like everything is moving forward while you're stuck in place.

Maybe you're navigating the weight of a loss that has already happened or bracing for one that feels inevitable. Grief is not linear, and there is no "right" way to move through it.

But you don’t have to carry it alone.

At Kinship Counseling Collective, we offer a space for you to grieve in your own way, at your own pace. Rooted in cultural wisdom and healing practices, our BIPOC therapists provide compassionate, anti-oppressive support tailored to your unique experience. Whether you need a place to process, rest, or rebuild, we are here to walk alongside you.

You are not alone. We are here.

The reality is that you will grieve forever. You will not ‘get over’ the loss of a loved one; you will learn to live with it. You will heal and you will rebuild yourself around the loss you have suffered. You will be whole again but you will never be the same. Nor should you be the same nor would you want to.
— Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

Compassionate Support Through Grief & Loss

Grief is not a disorder, a disease, or a sign of weakness. It is an emotional, physical, and spiritual necessity, the price you pay for love. The only cure for grief is to grieve.
— Earl Grollman

Loss comes in many forms—the passing of a loved one, the end of a relationship, a career shift, or a life transition you didn’t see coming. Each loss carries its own weight, and no two journeys through grief look the same.

At Kinship Counseling Collective, we also recognize anticipatory grief—the heartache and anxiety of an impending loss. Whether you are in the midst of grief or bracing for change, we are here to walk alongside you, offering support that honors your unique experience.

You don’t have to navigate this alone.

Our team of compassionate therapists provides a range of healing spaces, including individual therapy, group support, grief education, and creative modalities like expressive arts. We don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach—our work is grounded in cultural wisdom, anti-oppressive practices, and personalized care that meets you where you are.

We also offer resources to help you understand and process grief in your own way. Through articles, videos, and workshops, we provide guidance for those seeking deeper insight into the grieving process.

When you’re ready, we’re here.

 FAQs

  • Grief therapy provides a supportive space to process loss, whether it’s the death of a loved one, the end of a relationship, a life transition, or any significant change. It helps you navigate the complex emotions that come with grief—**sadness, anger, relief, guilt, numbness, or confusion—**while offering tools to cope, heal, and move forward in a way that honors your experience.

  • Grief therapy is not just for the loss of a loved one—it encompasses all forms of loss, including:

    • Death of a loved one (including pets)

    • Divorce, breakups, or relationship changes

    • Estrangement or complicated family relationships

    • Life transitions (career changes, moving, aging, retirement)

    • Chronic illness diagnosis (yours or a loved one’s)

    • Loss of identity, faith, or sense of belonging

    • Collective grief due to oppression, social injustices, or community loss

    If you’re grieving something not listed here, you are still welcome—your loss matters, and so does your healing.

  • Anticipatory grief happens when you’re grieving a loss before it fully happens—like a loved one’s terminal illness, the impending end of a relationship, or changes in your life that you see coming. Therapy can help you process these emotions in real time, preparing you for the transition while offering support and coping strategies.

  • No. Grief is deeply personal, and there is no single "correct" way to experience it. Some people cry often, others feel numb. Some find comfort in talking, while others withdraw. All of it is valid. Therapy helps you move through your grief in a way that feels natural for you, without judgment or pressure.

  • Grief has no timeline. Society often pressures people to move on quickly, but grief isn’t something you “get over”—it’s something you learn to live with in a way that allows you to heal while still honoring what you’ve lost. If you’re still feeling the weight of your grief, you are not failing. You deserve support, no matter how much time has passed.

  • Yes. Grief doesn’t have an expiration date. Whether your loss happened last week or years ago, if you still feel its weight or find it affecting your daily life, therapy can help. Healing is not about “getting over” grief—it’s about learning to carry it in a way that allows you to keep living.

  • Grief is deeply personal, but it doesn’t exist in a vacuum. For BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ individuals, grief can be shaped by cultural expectations, systemic oppression, intergenerational trauma, and community loss. Working with a BIPOC or queer therapist means having a space where these experiences are understood without the need for extra explanation.

    At Kinship Counseling Collective, our therapists offer:

    Culturally Affirming Support – We acknowledge how cultural identity, systemic oppression, and generational trauma impact grief. Whether you are navigating loss within a cultural framework or unpacking historical grief, we create space for healing that honors your identity.

    Queer & Trans-Affirming Care – Grief in LGBTQIA+ communities can be complex, especially when facing estrangement, chosen family loss, or the erasure of relationships. Our therapists affirm all identities, relationship structures, and forms of family, ensuring that your grief is recognized and validated.

    A Space Free of Microaggressions or Assumptions – You won’t have to explain or justify your lived experience. We understand the ways in which systemic injustices, racism, homophobia, and transphobia can compound grief and loss, and we offer support that centers your well-being.

    Healing Beyond the Individual – For many BIPOC and queer individuals, grief isn’t just personal—it’s collective. We hold space for community grief, social injustices, intergenerational loss, and ancestral resilience, recognizing that healing happens not just as individuals but within our broader communities.

    Grief can feel isolating, but you don’t have to carry it alone. Working with a therapist who shares or deeply understands your lived experience can make all the difference in your healing process. When you're ready, we’re here to walk alongside you.

  • The length of therapy varies depending on your goals, needs, and the challenges you're working through. Some people find a few sessions helpful for immediate concerns, while others benefit from ongoing support for deeper exploration and transformation.

  • We offer a free 15-minute consultation where you can ask questions, share your concerns, and see if workplace coaching is the right fit for you.

    💬 Schedule Your Free Consultation

Accessible Online Therapy

Recognizing the importance of accessibility, we offer online therapy sessions for residents of California and Oregon. This allows you to receive support from the comfort of your own space, ensuring convenience and continuity of care.

Meet Our Team

Ready to Begin?

Healing starts with connection. Whether you're seeking therapy, clinical supervision, or simply a space where you can feel seen and supported, we’re here to walk alongside you. You don’t have to do this alone. Reach out today, and let’s take the next step together.