Grief Therapists Available in San Diego
This page lists therapists who work with grief and are available to clients in San Diego. Use it if you want support for loss, bereavement, complicated grief, or adjustment after a death. Compare therapists by their stated approaches, specialties, and the types of grief they mention. Note that a California license covers the whole state, so a therapist’s ability to take San Diego clients does not depend on a local office. Read profiles to find a therapist whose experience and methods match your needs before contacting them.
This is a partner link. We will earn a commission if you sign up through it, at no cost to you. It does not change what you pay or the order of the listings.
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1. Dr. Monica Kelson, CA Psychologist
Experienced California psychologist for stress and trauma
Works with Stress, Anxiety · Trauma and abuse · Self esteem · Depression · Grief
Approaches Attachment-Based Therapy · Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) · Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
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2. Sherri Kardell, LMFT
Sherri Kardell, LMFT - Attachment-informed therapist
Works with Relationship · Family · Trauma and abuse · Grief · Self esteem
Approaches Attachment-Based Therapy · Client-Centered Therapy · Existential Therapy
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3. Cynthia Rumford-Jones, LCSW
Compassionate LCSW for life transitions
Works with Stress, Anxiety · Anger · Self esteem · Depression · Coping with life changes
Approaches Client-Centered Therapy · Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) · Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
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4. Zeph Locke, LMFT
Resilience-focused care for mood disorders
Works with Grief · Bipolar
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5. Matthew Esselstrom, LMFT
California LMFT with 22 years experience
Works with Stress, Anxiety · Relationship · Anger · Self esteem · Coping with life changes
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6. Keith Chilton, LMFT
Experienced California Marriage and Family Therapist
Works with Stress, Anxiety · Addictions · Relationship · Trauma and abuse · Depression
Approaches Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) · Attachment-Based Therapy · Client-Centered Therapy
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7. Ginger Little, LMFT
California LMFT specializing in men's issues
Works with Stress, Anxiety · Relationship · Trauma and abuse · Grief · Intimacy-related issues
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8. Sharon Bass, LMFT
Collaborative LMFT specializing in life transitions
Works with Stress, Anxiety · Grief · Career · Coping with life changes · Compassion fatigue
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9. Elena Balashova-Shamis, CA Psychologist
California psychologist with integrative expertise
Works with Stress, Anxiety · Relationship · Trauma and abuse · Grief · Depression
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10. Michelle Varady, LCSW
LCSW focused on trauma and recovery
Works with Stress, Anxiety · Addictions · Trauma and abuse · Self esteem · Depression
Approaches Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) · Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) · Mindfulness Therapy
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11. Sandra West, LMFT
California LMFT with 25 years experience
Works with Stress, Anxiety · Trauma and abuse · Grief · Self esteem · Coping with life changes
Approaches Solution-Focused Therapy
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12. Dr. Katherine Phillips, LMFT
Works with Stress, Anxiety · Addictions · Relationship · Depression · Coping with life changes
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13. Nancy Montes, LCSW
California LCSW supporting healing and resilience
Works with Stress, Anxiety · Self esteem · Depression · Coping with life changes · Grief
Approaches Client-Centered Therapy · Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) · Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)
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14. Deana Porter, LMFT
California LMFT for relationships and families
Works with Relationship · Family · Trauma and abuse · Intimacy-related issues · Self esteem
Approaches Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) · Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) · Gottman Method
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15. Eileen Maxwel, LMFT
Licensed California Marriage and Family Therapist
Works with Stress, Anxiety · Relationship · Family · Parenting · Depression
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About grief therapy for people in San Diego
Everyone listed on this page holds a licence to practise in California and works online. That matters more than it sounds: a licence is issued by the state, not by a city, so a therapist is available to anyone in California regardless of how far away they are. Someone in San Diego can work with a therapist whose books would otherwise be out of reach.
1,259 therapists match this page, all of whom name grief among the areas they work with. Fifteen are shown above. The list changes between pages, so it is worth looking at more than one if none of these feels like a fit.
What to compare
- Credential. LMFT, LCSW and LPCC are different training routes to the same licensed practice. None outranks the others; they shape emphasis rather than quality.
- Years in practice. Shown for every therapist here. More experience is not automatically better, but it is a fair proxy for how much of a given problem someone has seen.
- What else they work with. A therapist whose other focus areas overlap with your situation is usually a better starting point than one whose listed areas stop at the single thing you searched for.
- Approach. CBT, psychodynamic, solution-focused and the rest describe how sessions tend to run. If you have tried therapy before and it did not suit you, changing approach is often more useful than changing therapist.
- Language. Shown where a therapist offers sessions in more than English.
How online sessions work
Sessions run by video or by messaging, arranged through our partner platform rather than booked directly with the therapist. There is no travel and no waiting room, which for most people is the difference between starting and not starting. Pricing is set by the platform and shown before you commit.
Therapy in San Diego
San Diego has a population of about 1,386,932. Local in-person availability varies and waiting lists are common, which is part of why state-wide online practice has grown. Nothing on this page depends on a therapist being near you.
Common questions
How do I choose a grief therapist from this list?
Look for descriptions of the therapist’s approach to grief, such as whether they use cognitive-behavioral methods, narrative therapy, or meaning-centered work. Check which kinds of loss they mention (sudden death, prolonged illness, pregnancy loss, etc.). Consider notes about working with adults, couples, teens, or families, and read any client focus areas to see fit.
How soon should I look for a grief specialist after a loss?
There’s no fixed timeframe. Some people seek a grief therapist soon after a loss to get immediate coping strategies. Others wait until they notice prolonged distress, trouble functioning, or persistent intrusive thoughts. If grief symptoms interfere with daily life or relationships, it can help to reach out and compare therapists to find someone who fits your needs.
Do grief therapists offer specific approaches for anniversaries or triggers?
Many therapists list work with anniversaries, holidays, and other triggers as part of their grief practice. Profiles may note techniques for planning coping strategies around dates, creating rituals, or developing grounding tools. Check individual descriptions to see whether the therapist mentions these concerns and the methods they use for them.
Other reasons people in San Diego look for a therapist
- Anxiety therapists in San Diego
- Depression therapists in San Diego
- Self-Esteem therapists in San Diego
- Relationship therapists in San Diego
- Life Changes therapists in San Diego
- Trauma therapists in San Diego
- Family therapists in San Diego
- Parenting therapists in San Diego
- Anger therapists in San Diego
- Career therapists in San Diego
- Addiction therapists in San Diego
- LMFT therapists in San Diego
- LCSW therapists in San Diego
- LPCC therapists in San Diego