Close-up of tree trunk with textured bark, representing resilience and strength in grief recovery.

Grief Counseling

Compassionate, specialized grief counseling for those navigating loss and life transitions. We focus on helping you process your grief, whether from death, non-death losses, or significant life changes, with a personalized approach that honors your unique experience.

GRIEF COUNSELING FOR ADULTS IN BATAVIA, NAPERVILLE, AND ONLINE

Sound like you?

"I don’t know how to move forward. Every day feels heavy, and I can’t seem to find relief.”

“People keep telling me it’s time to let go, but I’m still overwhelmed with sadness.”

“I feel so alone in this. No one seems to understand the depth of my pain.”

“I can’t imagine ever feeling joy again. Will I ever get through this?"

It feels like grief is an overwhelming shadow that follows you everywhere. You’re struggling to accept the reality of your loss, and the tears seem endless. It’s as if the memory of your loved one’s death replays in your mind like a nightmare you can’t escape. Talking about it feels impossible, and thinking about the future seems out of reach. You might find yourself avoiding conversations or isolating, afraid that no one truly understands. The pain is so deep that happiness feels like something you no longer deserve. Every day feels like a struggle, and you wonder if the heaviness will ever lift.

Hollowed tree stump in a forest, symbolizing resilience and transformation through grief and trauma therapy.

You deserve to feel your emotions fully and take the time you need to heal.

WE'RE HERE FOR YOU.

Grief isn’t something you can rush through or set aside. It demands to be felt, honored, and understood. At Creating Space Therapy, we believe that your emotions are valid and deserving of the space they need. Healing from loss is a deeply personal journey, and it’s okay to take the time you need to navigate it. We’re here to support you in embracing your feelings, no matter how overwhelming they may seem. Our experienced therapists will walk with you every step of the way, offering compassion, understanding, and the tools to help you heal at your own pace. You don’t have to go through this alone—your healing journey is important, and we’re here to ensure you feel supported and empowered throughout.

Close-up of a pine cone, symbolizing growth, resilience, and the healing process in grief counseling.

34 N. Island Ave., Ste F
Batavia, IL 60510

1315 Macom Dr., Ste 208

Naperville, IL 60546

630.601.3460

hello@creatingspacetherapy.com

Signs That Grief Counseling May Be Right for You

Whatever the type of loss you are experiencing, you might be beginning to notice the impact of your grief in every facet of your life:

You don't feel connected to others

You are struggling to stay focused and be productive at work or school

You don't feel like taking care of yourself

You feel angry and resentful when you see others happy

You can't imagine a future where you belong or feel happy

Your emotions and thoughts are overwhelming

Close-up of a tree trunk, symbolizing strength and grounding in the journey through grief and healing.

It may feel impossible now, but you can experience happiness again. you can live a life that is rich in meaning and purpose. And we can help you get there.

GRIEF COUNSELING CAN HELP YOU-----

Come to terms and accept your loss

Together, we’ll gently explore your grief, allowing you to process and accept your loss at your own pace. Acceptance doesn’t mean forgetting—it means finding a way to live with the loss while honoring your loved one’s memory.

Learn skills and strategies that can help you to manage difficult feelings

We’ll help you develop coping mechanisms tailored to your needs, so you can navigate the waves of grief with greater resilience. These strategies will empower you to manage overwhelming emotions and regain a sense of control.

Find hope for your future so that you experience happiness in life with meaning and purpose

Through our work together, you’ll begin to see that a fulfilling future is possible, even after loss. We’ll explore ways to rebuild your life, finding new meaning and joy that coexist with your grief.

Reconnect with yourself and your values

Grief can sometimes make you feel lost or disconnected from who you are. We’ll work on helping you reconnect with your core values and sense of self, guiding you toward a life that feels authentic and true to your deepest beliefs.

Grief Counseling in Batavia and Naperville Illinois

Reclaim Your Life with Tailored Grief Counseling

At Creating Space Therapy, we know that grief can touch every aspect of your life. It can make you feel disconnected from others, sap your energy, and leave you questioning your future. Our grief counselors are here to walk with you through this process, helping you reconnect with yourself and those around you. Through our personalized approach, we’ll help you:

Understand and Process Your Loss

We offer a compassionate space where you can explore your grief, understand its impact on your life, and begin to accept your loss in a way that honors your loved one’s memory.

Build Resilience and Find Hope

Grief can make the future feel uncertain, but with our support, you can start to see a path forward. We’ll help you rebuild your sense of purpose and rediscover the joy and meaning that still exists in your life.

Develop Healthy Coping Strategies

Our grief therapists will equip you with the tools and strategies you need to manage difficult emotions, reduce feelings of overwhelm, and navigate the waves of grief with greater ease.

Grief is unique.

Grief is a deeply personal experience, and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. While many believe in the “stages” of grief, such as denial and acceptance, the truth is that grief doesn’t follow a predictable path. These stages were originally meant to describe the emotional journey of those facing terminal illness, not necessarily those grieving a loss.

Each person’s grief is shaped by their relationship with the loss, personal history, and support systems. Emotions like sadness, anger, or guilt can come and go unpredictably. It’s important to recognize that there’s no “right” way to grieve. Grieving isn’t about “getting over” the loss; it’s about finding a way to live with it. Over time, the pain may become more manageable, but the process is different for everyone.

Allowing yourself to grieve at your own pace and in your own way is key to healing. Understanding the uniqueness of grief can help ease the pressure to conform to societal expectations, allowing for a more authentic and personal journey through loss.

Birch trees with golden autumn leaves, representing change, renewal, and healing in grief counseling.

4 Things to Know about Grief & Loss

Grief is Necessary for Healing

Grief is a crucial part of the healing process. It’s not something that can be avoided, ignored, or simply set aside. When grief is not acknowledged and addressed, it can manifest in harmful ways, affecting both mental and physical health. Unresolved grief may lead to anxiety, depression, physical ailments, or emotional numbness, all of which can disrupt one’s life.

Allowing yourself to grieve is essential for moving forward. Grief is the body and mind’s natural response to loss, and suppressing these feelings only delays the healing process. It’s important to give yourself permission to experience grief fully—whether that means crying, talking about your loss, or simply sitting with your emotions. This process helps you to process the pain and begin to integrate the loss into your life.

Grief isn’t something that can be rushed or avoided; it needs to be felt. By following your instincts and allowing your heart, mind, and body to grieve, you’re taking a necessary step toward healing. This means giving yourself the space and time to mourn, without judgment or pressure to “move on.” Acknowledging your grief is the first step in finding a path toward peace and acceptance.

Single tree with vibrant fall leaves, symbolizing personal transformation and the healing process in grief counseling.

Grief work needs patience and acceptance

Grieving the death of a loved one is a slow process. It can be difficult to know that the grief journey will take longer than you’ll want. It’s best to be gentle and patient with yourself and your family. Your heart, mind, and body will grieve as long as you need to. It can be reassuring to know that over time your grief will change and be less intense. Grief gradually shifts and becomes less all-consuming as time goes by. You will find ways to manage your thoughts and feelings in ways that allow you to experience healing, hope for the future, and happiness in living, and in time you will smile and find joy again.

Evergreen tree with snow-capped mountains in the background, symbolizing strength and endurance in the journey of grief and healing.

There is no "moving on"

There is hope among non-grievers that their loved ones who are grieving will "move on" and will no longer grieve their loved ones because for many it's scary and even terrifying to think that grief will not end. There is a fear that if grievers don't "move on" then they will be stuck in the pain of grief forever. However, the exact opposite is true. The fallacy is that one must "move on" in order to not be stuck in grief. The truth is that one gets stuck in grief when the griever is unable to fully experience the range of emotions that the loss brings. It's only when the griever experiences the depth of grief that a griever can move forward with living a life filled with meaning and purpose.

Walking path through a sunlit forest, symbolizing the journey of healing and self-discovery in grief counseling.

Leafless forest trees with sunlight shining on a cold winter morning, symbolizing resilience and renewal in grief counseling.

LGBTQIA+ Affirming Grief Counseling

We provide compassionate and inclusive grief counseling that recognizes and affirms the unique challenges faced by the LGBTQIA+ community in their grief journey.

We feel it is important to address the unique grief-related needs of the LGBTQIA+ community. While fundamentally, the grief experience is universal to all, individuals who identify as LGBTQIA+ often experience a more complicated grief experience. This is often due to society's lack of compassion, empathy, and understanding of their grief experience of which results in the feeling that their grief is not recognized or validated.

Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for LGBTQIA+ individuals to be invalidated by the cisgender, hetero-dominant culture. For example, often LGBTQIA+ relationships may not be recognized by healthcare institutions, employers, or family. When this happens, partners/spouses may not have control to make important decisions regarding healthcare, finances, or funeral arrangements, regardless of legal marital status.

Another example is for many LGBTQIA+ couples and families who are experiencing grief over a pregnancy loss may experience their grief as not validated as they are not of the cisgender hetero-dominant culture. It's oftentimes perceived that since they didn't conceive or were pregnant themselves the grief they feel over the loss of the pregnancy is discounted or ignored.

Our practice recognizes and affirms the unique grief experiences of the LGBTQIA+ community and imbeds affirming all grief experiences into our practice with the goal of being inclusive and supportive of LGBTQ+ grievers.

QUESTIONS? WE'VE GOT ANSWERS.

Frequently asked questions-

Is Creating Space Therapy Better Than AI Therapy Chatbots?

While AI chatbots may be able to provide basic support, they can't replace the deep, human connection that's essential for true healing. At Creating Space Therapy, our certified therapists in Batavia and Naperville, as well as through online telehealth, offer personalized care tailored to your unique needs. We understand the complexities of human emotions and experiences, something that AI simply cannot replicate. Our therapists provide empathy, understanding, and adaptive care that evolves with you, ensuring that you receive the support you need at every step of your healing journey. With us, you're not just interacting with a program—you’re connecting with someone who genuinely cares about your well-being.
What types of therapy do you offer?

At Creating Space Therapy, we offer a wide range of therapeutic services, including grief counseling, trauma therapy, EMDR therapy, bibliotherapy, and specialized therapy for children and teens. Our certified therapists in Batavia, Naperville, and online are skilled in various modalities, ensuring that we can tailor our approach to meet your specific needs.
How do I know which therapist is right for me?

Choosing the right therapist is a personal decision, and we’re here to help you find the best fit. Our team of certified therapists brings a diverse set of skills and specialties. Whether you’re seeking help with grief, trauma, or other challenges, we’ll guide you to the therapist whose expertise aligns with your needs, whether in Batavia, Naperville, or online.
What should I expect during my first therapy session?

Your first therapy session at Creating Space Therapy is an opportunity to begin building a trusting relationship with your therapist. We’ll discuss your goals, concerns, and what you hope to achieve through therapy. Our aim is to create a comfortable, safe space where you feel heard and supported, whether you’re visiting our Batavia or Naperville offices or connecting through online telehealth.
Is online therapy as effective as in-person therapy?

Yes, online therapy can be just as effective as in-person therapy. At Creating Space Therapy, our online telehealth sessions are designed to provide the same level of care and connection as face-to-face meetings. Our certified therapists are experienced in delivering compassionate, high-quality therapy through secure video sessions, ensuring you receive the support you need, no matter where you are in Illinois.

Free Download!

Get our completely free eBook that teaches you concrete skills to cope with the big, heavy, deep emotions that come with grief and trauma. We hope to help ease your suffering by guiding you in developing healthy coping skills.