Grief is our natural response to loss: the death of a loved one, the end of a relationship, the loss of health, work or even a homeland. Sadness, longing, anger, guilt or numbness can all be part of grief, and everyone grieves in their own way.
For people living abroad, grief can be heavier: you may not have been able to attend the funeral, cry together with family or go back to say goodbye. Sometimes grief becomes so long and paralyzing that life seems to stop. Talking with someone who understands the language and culture of your grief can help.
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Grief counseling is not meant to erase sadness; the goal is a safe space to feel it and gradually find a way to keep living alongside the memory of your loved one.
Your therapist may use approaches such as talking through memories, writing a letter to the person you lost or creating personal rituals of mourning. For long and complicated grief, there are specific approaches based on cognitive behavioral therapy.
If grief is accompanied by severe depression or anxiety, your therapist attends to that too and may suggest a psychiatric assessment if needed.
Sessions are online and in Persian, so you can talk about your loved one with the words, customs and memories of your own culture. There is no right or wrong timeline for grief.
Some people feel lighter after a few sessions, and some stay with a therapist for several months. Anniversaries and special days may bring grief back, and that is natural.
Examples are fictional and illustrative.
Bahareh's father died in Tehran and visa problems kept her from returning for the funeral. For months she felt her grief was suspended. With her therapist she created a small farewell ritual in her own home in Canada. For the first time, she could cry freely.
Mohsen's mother died after a long illness, and he kept thinking he could have done more. In sessions he talked about these thoughts and the love behind them. Writing a letter to his mother helped. His guilt gave way to a gentler longing.
After separating from her husband, Zahra felt she had lost part of her identity. People around her said she should forget quickly. Her therapist helped her acknowledge this loss. Gradually she could start planning her new life.
These therapists list this on their profile. All sessions are online and in Persian.
There is no set timeline for grief, and it is different for everyone. If daily life still feels stuck after a long time, talking with a professional can help.
No. Some people grieve with tears, others through silence, work or practical tasks. Reactions differ, and your therapist will not judge you.
Yes. Losing your home, language, friends and former life is a real form of grief. A Persian-speaking therapist often knows this experience closely.
If you are thinking about ending your life, please contact local emergency services or a crisis line in your country right now. You do not have to carry this pain alone, and urgent help is available.
This page is general information and does not replace a professional assessment. If you are in immediate danger or thinking about harming yourself, contact your local emergency services. Urgent help
