Child Grief Counseling
Helping Children Cope with Loss in a Healthy Way
In-person and online therapy available.
Children experience grief differently than adults. They often express loss through behavior changes, emotional outbursts, or regression rather than through words. At Shoreside Therapies, we offer specialized grief counseling services tailored to your child's age and emotional development. Our experienced child therapists in Milwaukee and Whitefish Bay provide a compassionate space where children can safely process difficult emotions and begin healing.
Why Children Need Specialized Grief Therapy
Standard grief counseling isn't always effective for kids. Children require developmentally-appropriate methods like play therapy, art-based expression, and storytelling to make sense of death and loss. At Shoreside Therapies, we use these evidence-based approaches to help children:
- Understand and express their emotions
- Develop healthy coping skills
- Rebuild a sense of safety and stability
- Maintain connections to loved ones they've lost
We support children grieving a variety of losses, including the death of a family member, pet, or friend, as well as divorce, illness, or other significant life changes.
Recognizing When Your Child Needs Help
Grief in children can be hard to detect. Look for signs such as:
- Mood swings or grief bursts
- Regression (e.g., bedwetting, clinginess)
- Sleep disturbances or nightmares
- Unexplained physical symptoms (headaches, stomachaches)
- Withdrawal from friends and activities
- Expressing guilt or fear about death
If these signs last more than a few weeks or interfere with daily life, professional support can make a difference.
Our Approach to Child Grief Counseling
At Shoreside Therapies, our therapists use age-appropriate, trauma-informed practices to meet your child where they are. We focus on building trust, emotional literacy, and resilience through:
- Play therapy
- Art and music therapy
- Therapeutic storytelling
- Memory books and guided letter writing
- Group therapy (when appropriate)
Our clinicians understand that grieving is not a one-time event. We support children through the long-term process, helping them revisit and reinterpret their loss as they grow.
Why Choose Shoreside Therapies?
- Compassionate, experienced child therapists
- Evidence-based techniques proven to help grieving children
- Safe, nurturing environment designed for kids
- Close collaboration with parents and caregivers
We proudly serve families in Milwaukee, Whitefish Bay, and surrounding communities. Whether your child is grieving a recent loss or struggling with past grief, we’re here to help.
Is Your Child Struggling with Loss? We’re Here to Support Them.
Grief can be confusing and overwhelming for children. At Shoreside Therapies, we provide child grief counseling tailored to your child's unique emotional and developmental needs. Our team is committed to guiding your child through the healing process with empathy, expertise, and care.
Schedule a free 15-minute consultation with Lauri Budzynski or one of our experienced child therapists today. Take the first step toward helping your child move forward with strength and support.
Contact Shoreside Therapies
Ready to schedule your complimentary 15-minute consultation?
Meet Our Grief Counseling Therapists
Lauri Budzynski, MA, LPC, NCC
Child & Adolescent Grief Therapist
Lauri helps children and teens work through loss using play therapy, art, and storytelling, guiding families with warmth and clinical expertise.
Stacey Glasenapp, MS, LPC
Child & Family Grief Therapist
Stacey works closely with children and their caregivers to build coping skills and create a safe, supportive space for healing after loss.
There's no set minimum age. Even young children can benefit from grief counseling when the approach fits their developmental stage, using play, art, and simple language instead of traditional talk therapy.
Watch for changes that last more than a few weeks, such as trouble sleeping or eating, withdrawing from friends, acting out, or ongoing sadness and worry. If grief is interfering with daily life, a therapist can help.
We keep sessions confidential to help your child feel safe opening up, but we'll share general themes and progress with you so you can support them at home. Any safety concerns are always communicated right away.
It varies by child. Some kids feel ready after 8-12 sessions, while others benefit from ongoing support, especially around anniversaries or big life changes. Grief isn't linear, so we adjust the pace to what your child needs.
We start by meeting with you to understand your child's history and needs. Then your child meets their therapist in a warm, low-pressure setting, often using play or art to build trust before talking directly about the loss.
Yes. We offer both in-person sessions in Milwaukee and Whitefish Bay and secure online counseling, so your family can choose whatever fits your schedule and comfort level best.