Resources & Links
Not everyone who comes to The Healing Center will find everything they need here. We know that. And we think it's worth saying out loud.
Grief is not one-size-fits-all. Some people find their footing through peer connection — which is what we do. Others need the structure of therapy, the closeness of a hospice team, or the specific understanding of someone who has lost exactly what they have lost.
This page brings together grief support resources from across the country. We'll keep adding to it as we grow. If you know an organization we should include, let us know.
If you need support right now
988 Lifeline
Free and confidential crisis support, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.Available in Spanish. For immediate danger, call 911.
Crisis Text Line
Free, confidential text-based support, available around the clock.
Samaritans of MA
A Massachusetts crisis and grief line, available 24/7. Not just for suicidal crises — anyone who is struggling is welcome to call.
MA Behavioral Health Help Line
Massachusetts statewide mental health crisis and referral line, operated 24/7 through MassHealth.
NAMI Massachusetts
Warmline and resources from the state chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness.M–F, 9am–5pm. Outside those hours, use 988 or Crisis Text Line.
The Trevor Project
24/7 crisis and suicide prevention support for LGBTQ+ youth.Also available via chat and text (text START to 678-678).
Nonprofit Organizations
Free grief support for children, teens, young adults, and their families after the death of a loved one. Drop-in programs available — no fee, no referral needed.
Peer support for bereaved parents, grandparents, and siblings after the death of a child of any age. Multiple chapters across Massachusetts.
A network of community-based grief support groups with many chapters across Massachusetts. Search the website to find a group near you.Faith-based framework. Groups meet weekly.
Online community, resources, and healing for those who have lost someone to suicide. Forums, online retreats, and a survivor library.
Grief Recovery After Substance Passing. Peer support for those who have lost a loved one to addiction or substance-related causes.
Support, advocacy, and community for families after the sudden or traumatic death of a child.
Support and resources for families navigating grief after the violent death of a loved one.
Community bereavement programs open to anyone who has experienced a loss — not only families of hospice patients.
Grief support programs open to the community, whether or not you have been connected to their hospice services.
Support for those navigating grief connected to mental illness, including those who have lost someone to suicide or a mental health crisis.
Children & Teens
Grief Resources for Children & Families
Grief shows up differently across ages and experiences. Below is a collection of guides, organizations, and communities offering education, support, and connection.
From experts at the Fred Rogers Institute and Yale Child Study Center, this guide helps adults understand and support children through the death of a parent.
From the same expert team, this guide focuses on how school-age children (ages 6–12) understand and process grief after losing a parent.
The National Grief Center for Children & Families — peer support groups for children, teens, young adults, and their families, with a network of programs nationwide.
A network of professionals and organizations supporting grieving children — find local programs, toolkits, and education for families and schools.
Free, one-week summer camps for children who have experienced the death of a parent, sibling, or caregiver — combining traditional camp fun with grief support.
Grief Support
Counseling Resources
Most private grief counseling is provided by licensed therapists in individual practices. The directories below make it easy to search by specialty, location, and insurance coverage.
The most comprehensive directory for finding a licensed grief therapist in Massachusetts. Filter by insurance, sliding scale, telehealth, and specialty.
Search for grief-specialized therapists in Massachusetts by zip code. Detailed profiles include therapeutic approach and areas of focus.
Directory of grief counselors who are members of the Association for Death Education and Counseling — a high standard of professional training in grief care.
Sliding-scale therapy ($30–$80 per session). Search for grief-specialized therapists in Massachusetts or connect via telehealth.A good option for those without insurance or with limited coverage.
Find a certified specialist trained in the Grief Recovery Method. Practitioners available across Massachusetts.
Online therapy platform with grief-specialized counselors, accessible from anywhere in Massachusetts.Subscription-based. Financial aid available.
Loss of a Spouse or Partner
Widows & Widowers
Losing a spouse or life partner carries its own particular weight. The organizations below offer peer community, local chapters, and online spaces specifically for widowed people.
Online peer community for widowed people of all genders, orientations, and ages. Hosts Camp Widow events in multiple cities and online throughout the year.
Online community and local chapters for widowed women, focused on empowerment and rebuilding life after loss.
Peer support community for widowed women, with an active online community, local meetups, and practical resources for navigating life after loss.
Community and peer support specifically for widowed men — resources, forums, and connection for men navigating the loss of a spouse.
A community for people in their 20s–40s who have experienced significant loss, including the death of a spouse or partner.Not exclusively for widowed people, but especially resonant for those who lost a partner young.
Affirming Support
LGBTQ+ Bereavement Resources
Grief within the LGBTQ+ community can carry layers that aren't always recognized in traditional bereavement settings. The resources below offer affirming, identity-conscious support.
LGBTQ+-affirming health center in Boston with behavioral health and grief counseling services. Open to all. One of the most trusted providers in New England for LGBTQ+ mental health care.
Services and advocacy for LGBTQ+ elders, including grief support, social connection after loss, and caregiver resources.
A therapist directory specifically focused on LGBTQ+-affirming providers. Filter by grief specialty and Massachusetts location.One of the best directories for finding affirming grief care in Massachusetts.
Support for LGBTQ+ people and their families. Peer support, resources, and referrals. Multiple Massachusetts chapters available.
Directory and referral network connecting LGBTQ+ people of color to affirming therapists, including grief specialists.
Apoyo en Español · Support in Spanish
Spanish-Language Grief Support
Grief is hard enough without language being a barrier. The resources below offer grief support, crisis lines, and counseling services in Spanish.
Apoyo en crisis confidencial y gratuito en español, disponible las 24 horas. / Free and confidential crisis support in Spanish, available 24 hours a day.
Apoyo por mensaje de texto, gratuito y confidencial, en español. / Free, confidential text-based crisis support in Spanish, available 24/7.
Free and confidential mental health treatment referral and information in both English and Spanish. Available around the clock.
Bilingual counseling and grief support services for Spanish-speaking communities across Massachusetts. No one is turned away for inability to pay.
Listen & Learn
Podcasts on Grief & Healing
Sometimes it helps to simply listen. These podcasts offer honest conversations, expert guidance, and stories from people who have walked through grief themselves.
Conversations about navigating loss in everyday life — candid, warm, and often funny, hosted by two friends who both lost their mums.
Stories and guidance for those walking through grief — real talk about the messy parts of loss, while finding hope and meaning in the process.
Expert insights on supporting grieving children and families, from the National Grief Center for Children & Families.
Guidance on finding meaning after loss, from one of the world's foremost grief experts.
More Ways to Connect
More Podcasts & Specialized Support
Author, therapist, and grief expert Claire Bidwell Smith shares small, practical ways to make life a little better each day.
Nora McInerny's beloved podcast about grief, loss, and what it really means to be honest about how you're doing.
A nonprofit incubator and accelerator supporting grief- and trauma-informed programs for children, teens, and young adults.
Holistic mental health support for those in grief — therapy, coaching, and alternative wellness modalities.
Grieving a pet? The Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement offers free chat rooms, resources, and support for the loss of an animal companion.