You Do Not Have to Process This Alone

The death of a parent, spouse, or sibling can shake the foundation of a person's daily life. Grief shows up differently for everyone — as sadness, anger, numbness, exhaustion, or relief — and often in combinations that feel confusing. There is no correct way to grieve, and there is no deadline.

What research consistently shows is that people who have support — whether from family, community, or professionals — tend to navigate loss with more resilience than those who try to carry it alone. Seeking help is not a sign of weakness. It is a recognition that what you are going through is genuinely hard.

Types of Grief Support

Individual therapy is one-on-one work with a licensed counselor, psychologist, or clinical social worker. Sessions are confidential and typically last 50 minutes weekly. A grief-focused therapist can help you understand your loss, work through complicated emotions, and develop ways to carry grief forward rather than around it. This is especially helpful for complicated grief — when the loss involves trauma, estrangement, substance use, or unresolved conflict.

Support groups bring together people who share a similar type of loss. Many people find it profoundly meaningful to be in a room (or video call) with others who understand from their own experience — not just from sympathy. Groups are often organized by the relationship (spouse, parent, child) or by circumstances (sudden death, long illness, suicide loss). Most community grief groups are free.

Hospice bereavement programs extend support to families after the death of someone in hospice care. By law, hospice programs must provide bereavement services to surviving family members for at least 13 months. If your loved one was on hospice, contact that agency — you are entitled to ongoing support.

Online communities and resources can bridge gaps when in-person support is not accessible. Several well-regarded programs offer structured online grief support.

If you are experiencing thoughts of harming yourself, please call or text 988 (Suicide and Crisis Lifeline) or text HOME to 741741 (Crisis Text Line). Grief can be overwhelming, and immediate support is available.

New Mexico Resources

Presbyterian Healthcare Bereavement Services
Presbyterian Healthcare offers bereavement counseling and grief support groups to patients, families, and community members across Albuquerque and the state. Some programs are open to the public at no charge.
phs.org →
UNM Health Sciences Center — Palliative Care
UNM's palliative care program provides bereavement support to families of patients and offers community grief resources throughout Bernalillo County.
hsc.unm.edu →
NM Grief Counselors Directory
Browse licensed grief counselors and bereavement therapists serving Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and other New Mexico communities.
Find a local grief counselor →

National Resources

GriefShare
A network of grief recovery support groups meeting weekly across the country, including multiple locations in New Mexico. Groups are faith-based but welcoming to all.
griefshare.org →
The Compassionate Friends
A national organization offering peer support for families grieving the death of a child of any age. Local chapters meet throughout New Mexico.
compassionatefriends.org →
AARP Grief & Loss Resources
AARP offers articles, community forums, and a 24/7 helpline for adults navigating grief, especially after the loss of a spouse or long-term partner.
aarp.org/caregiving/grief-loss →
What's Your Grief
An evidence-informed grief education website with articles, workbooks, and an online community. Practical and non-clinical in tone.
whatsyourgrief.com →

If you are ready to talk to someone, browse licensed grief counselors serving Albuquerque and the greater New Mexico area.

Find a Grief Counselor in Albuquerque