Why You Should Find A Grief Counselor After A Loss

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to become a grief counselor?

It could take as long as eight years to become a grief counselor, depending on the level of counseling degrees you are pursuing and the type of grief counseling you’re interested in, such as school counseling, mental health counseling, or bereavement counseling.  Most grief counselors have a minimum of a master’s degree in grief counseling or psychology counseling, with some grief counselors going as far as obtaining a postgraduate degree.

How do you become a certified grief counselor?

To become a certified grief counselor, you must complete an undergraduate degree in counseling, psychological counseling, or a similar field. Then, complete your master’s degree in counseling, psychological counseling, or a similar field. The next step in becoming a grief counselor is to complete any postgraduate psychology counseling degrees or counseling programs needed to become licensed in grief counseling. 

Grief counselors aren’t required to obtain postgraduate degrees necessarily, but oftentimes, they do. The field of grief counseling you are pursuing, such as mental health counseling or school counseling, will determine how far you take your grief counseling education.

What does a grief coach do?

A grief coach, or grief counselor, walks with you through the stages of loss grief and helps you cope with grief using the stages of grief and counseling psychology practices. This type of grief counseling can help guide you to recovery. Grief counselors who serve as grief coaches help to grieve the loss of a loved one or face loss from divorce or other life events through face-to-face grief counseling or online counseling.

How much do bereavement counselors make?

On average, a bereavement counselor makes an average salary of $55,905 in the United States. They are a type of grief counselor that focuses specifically on the passing of a loved one. There are factors at play that determine how much grief counselors make, including the counseling degrees they’ve obtained and their experience in the field.

What degree do you need to be a trauma counselor?

A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in counseling, psychological counseling, or a related field is required to be a trauma counselor. Many grief counselors in the grief counseling profession have a graduate degree in counseling or even a post-graduate degree in grief counseling.

What is a bereavement specialist?

A bereavement specialist coordinates counseling programs offered by grief counselors and grief support for caregivers and families following a hospice patient's passing. They connect grieving individuals with a grief counselor and, oftentimes, a grief counseling support group to help them cope with grief and get them on the road to recovery.

What are the seven stages of grief?

The seven stages of grief are as follows:

• Shock and denial
• Pain and guilt
• Anger and bargaining
• Depression
• The upward turn
• Reconstruction and working through
• Acceptance and hope

A grief counselor uses the seven stages of grief coupled with counseling psychology practices in face-to-face or online counseling to help clients cope with grief.  

Which counseling approach is best for grief?
What are the dos and don’ts when supporting someone grieving?
What do psychologists say about grief?
What are pertinent questions to ask during grief counseling? 
What is the main role of the bereavement counselor?
What makes an effective grief counselor?
Does a bereavement counselor have a license to prescribe medications?
Can grief counseling work for everyone?