Animals bring us joy, meaning, connection, responsibility, purpose (just to name a few!)  Losing a pet leaves a great many voids. 

When I opened my psychotherapy practice in 1995, I knew that I wanted to offer a safe place for people to grieve more fully the loss of their pets.  

In my practice, I offer a place to help my clients understand the choices we make in caring for our companions and loving them and losing them.  As a devoted and life-long animal lover/owner, I am honored to have the opportunity and training to more fully assist people during this time of loss in their lives.

Prior to entering the psychotherapy field, I spent over 10 years working as an animal health technician in veterinary hospitals. During that time I witnessed hundreds of people agonizing over the ill health and impending death of their pets. I worried about the condition and safety of people as they left the hospital after hearing the news of their pet’s illness. I knew that they were grief stricken and their hearts were broken and that often they had no one to talk to who would understand their grief. The time spent with the veterinarian was usually devoted to discussing treatment options and making care decisions, at a time when most people needed so much more support. Each time I witnessed this I wished that I had something more to offer them. Now, as a psychotherapist, I am in a position to help my clients grieve fully and to work through the life changes that come with the death of a beloved companion.

Some of the issues and questions we talk might talk through in counseling can be found by clicking here.