A Therapist’s Journey Through Grief: What I’ve Learned About Loss | Seanna Crosbie, LCSW-S - Therapist in Austin, Texas & California

The Weight of Grief: A Personal and Professional Perspective

I still remember the way grief felt in my body—the way it settled into my chest like a weight I couldn't put down, the way my thoughts looped endlessly, trying to make sense of something senseless. Grief isn't just an emotion; it's an experience that reshapes you from the inside out.

In my twenties, I experienced a significant, traumatic loss—one that changed me in ways I couldn’t have anticipated. Out of respect for professional boundaries, I choose not to share the details of who or what that loss involved, but I will say this: it was profound. It rewired my understanding of the world, of relationships, of what it means to love and lose. And like so many who have walked the path of grief, I discovered that healing wasn’t linear. It wasn’t something I could rush or intellectualize my way through. It was something I had to live.

Over the years, grief continued to find its way into my life. I have lost friends—some suddenly, some after long battles with illness, and more recently, to COVID. Some left behind young children, families grappling with unimaginable loss. Each loss has carried its own weight, its own lessons, its own ache. Grief doesn’t just come once; it weaves itself into our stories in different ways, at different times, reminding us of both love and impermanence.

The Reality of Grief: It’s Not Linear

The journey of grief unfolded over years. At times, it was raw and disorienting; other times, it was quiet and persistent, like a shadow that never fully disappeared. I learned that grief doesn't operate on a schedule, that it can resurface unexpectedly—on birthdays, in the middle of a song, in the way the air shifts during a certain time of year. But I also learned that healing is possible, that grief and joy can eventually coexist, and that we can carry our losses with us in ways that allow us to keep moving forward.

How Therapy Can Help You Navigate Grief

This personal experience of grief, combined with my professional expertise as a therapist, gives me a unique capacity to hold space for the complex, often overwhelming emotions that accompany loss. I understand that grief is not just about sadness; it can also bring anger, guilt, relief, numbness, or even moments of laughter that feel out of place but are deeply human. Because I’ve lived through it, I don’t rush clients to “move on” or fit their experience into a neat framework. Instead, I walk alongside them, helping them navigate their own process in a way that honors their individual needs.

Grief therapy is about finding ways to integrate loss into the fabric of your life. If you are grieving, know this: you are not alone. Your grief deserves space, and healing—whatever that looks like for you—is possible.

About the Author

Seanna Crosbie, LCSW-S, is a licensed clinical social worker and therapist with 25 years of experience helping adults and children navigate grief, trauma, anxiety, OCD, relationships, and life transitions. A former clinical director and founder of a trauma consortium, Seanna now provides therapy in Austin, Texas, and via telehealth in California. Her deep understanding of grief, both personal and professional, allows her to support clients in finding resilience and meaning after loss.

If you are struggling with grief and need support, reach out today.

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