Grief Therapists
Overview
Introduction
A grief therapist, or bereavement counselor, offers therapy for those who are mourning the death of a family member or a loved one. Therapists help survivors work through their sadness and possible feelings of anger or guilt and help them recover from their loss. Counselors may be brought into communities or facilities to help individuals after a national disaster, act of violence, or an accident. Grief therapists may be self-employed as independent counselors or work for hospitals, funeral homes, schools, hospice organizat...
Quick Facts
Median Salary
Employment Prospects
Minimum Education Level
Experience
Skills
Personality Traits
Earnings
The salary range for grief therapists is generally the same as for other therapists and counselors. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the median annual salary of mental health counselors was $53,710 in May 2023. The lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $36,700, and the highest paid 10 percent earned more than $89,920. Therapists in private practice and those who become directors of ...
Work Environment
Generally, grief therapists work in office settings that are clean and well lighted. Grief therapists who work in crisis situations will find a wide variety of working environments, depending on the situation, but usually small, temporary offices are set up to accommodate counselors.
Counselors in private or group practice may have to set up evening and weekend office hours. Some grief c...
Outlook
Employment for mental health counselors is expected to grow by 19 percent, much faster than the average for all occupations, through 2033, according to the Occupational Outlook Handbook. A career in grief therapy holds great promise. Our changing and aging society creates a need for grief counseling. As baby boomers age and experience the deaths of their parents, friends, and families,...