Navigating Grief with Support: The Role of Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)

Grief is a natural response to loss, but at times it can feel all-consuming or like it’s lasting longer than you expected. It can start to affect your daily life, your relationships, and your sense of who you are. Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) offers a supportive and structured way to work through grief — helping you make sense of what’s happened, express your feelings, and begin to reconnect with others and with life.

In IPT, we explore how loss has affected your relationships, routines, and sense of identity. Together, we look at the emotions that come with grief, how your roles and connections may have changed, and what kind of support you need right now.

For example, someone who’s lost a close family member might find themselves withdrawing from others or feeling unsure how to reach out for help. Through IPT, we would gently work on expressing those feelings, identifying supportive people, and finding small, manageable ways to re-engage with life again.

Therapy might involve talking openly about your loss, adjusting to new responsibilities or changes in your life, strengthening the relationships that bring comfort, and finding practical ways to cope with challenges as they come up.

IPT for grief usually takes place over 12 to 20 sessions, but it really depends on what you need and how you’re feeling. It can be particularly helpful if your grief feels complicated or prolonged — when it’s hard to move forward or reconnect with meaning after loss.

Grief can feel isolating, but you don’t have to face it alone. If any of this resonates with you, please get in touch. I’d be happy to talk about how IPT could help you work through your loss, rebuild connection, and find a sense of balance and hope again.