FAQ
Are virtual sessions as good as in-office counseling?
Great question! I think telehealth is awesome.
There’s something to be said for skipping the hassle of commuting and doing this challenging work in the comfort of your own space. And I appreciate being able to connect with your animal, their home, and their things by being in their environment, too.
What are your hours?
How long are sessions?
How do I set up an initial appointment?
Just call or text (310) 703-3990 or email me at beth@honoringouranimals.com. If I don’t answer, don’t worry! I’m probably in a session and will call you back if you leave a message.
We’ll start with a free 20-minute consultation so I can hear more about you and make sure that we are a good fit.
What is your cancellation policy?
How often will I see you?
Typically, people find weekly grief counseling to be the most productive.
If there are acute difficulties, such as end-of-life decisions or a very recent loss, I often recommend twice a week for the first month or two.
How long will I be in grief counseling?
That is a tricky question because grief is different for every client. It really depends on what you want to get out of our sessions, how motivated you are to work through your grief, and what happened to bring you to me in the first place.
The simplest answer is: It takes as long as it takes.
That said, the average time most of my clients work with me is 3-6 months.
My goal for you is to get to the point where you don’t need to see me anymore because you have developed the tools and skills to integrate your loss into your daily routine, preserve cherished memories of your beloved, and create a happier, more fulfilling life.
With whom do you work?
Do you work with people who are experiencing non-animal-companion-related grief?
In addition to being a Pet Loss Support Specialist, I am a Certified Grief Counselor (for people). But I don’t work with people for grief that extends beyond the loss of an animal companion.
In session, previous losses (human or animal) often come up when they relate to the current loss. We will address that grief as part of our journey together.
Do you work with couples?
Yes. Navigating the death of an animal companion can be very challenging for couples.
I often do a mixture of individual and couples sessions to facilitate recovery.
Do you work with veterinarians, animal techs, and rescue folks?
Absolutely.
For people who work with animals daily, burnout, anxiety, and sadness are real. I am passionate about mental health for all animal care workers and am here to help you rejuvenate and return to your work with greater joy, compassion, and strength.
Do you work with people experiencing behavioral euthanasia?
Yes. It’s a wrenching decision to make, and I am here for you.
I highly encourage people dealing with behavioral euthanasia to work with me before the final goodbye. Behavioral euthanasia is complex, and anticipatory work can help ease regret, remorse, and pain.
Are you LGBTQIA+ friendly?
I sure am!
If there’s a way to make you more comfortable, please let me know. I aim to hold a safe, respectful, affirming, loving, and safe space for all of my clients.
Are you 12-step/recovery-friendly?
I am passionate about working with people who are in recovery programs.
If an animal companion has been part of your recovery journey, the loss can stir up many complex emotions. But you don’t have to white-knuckle it alone. I’ve got you.
Why is your practice called Honoring Our Animals?
I believe that the greatest way to honor our beloved animal companions is to give them a good death, cherish and celebrate their memory when they are gone, and take care of ourselves physically, spiritually, and mentally after the final goodbye.
Surviving and eventually thriving after a loss like this is a way to honor what your pet would want for your life. Your pet wants you well and happy, and you honor your relationship by getting the support you need to get back to feeling well again.
And for me, doing this work honors the relationship I had with my beloved cat, Arnie, whose life and death prompted me to begin grief counseling for others.
What’s the difference between grief counseling and therapy?
I am a certified Grief counselor and Pet loss support specialist. I am not a licensed clinical therapist (like an LCSW or MFT). I do not diagnose mental health disorders.
As a grief counselor, I guide you and collaborate with you to navigate what you’re experiencing based on my training, knowledge, and experience.
Grief counseling doesn’t explore your past, family of origin issues, or previous traumas. It’s rooted in the here and now. We explore questions like “Who am I now without my pet?” “When is the right time to euthanize?” and “Is it normal to be so heartbroken?” (Answer: YES)
We work together on practical and logistical issues around your loss. We also examine and acknowledge the emotional pieces that may be holding you back from moving forward. We’ll identify distorted thinking and reframe negativity so that you’re a better participant in your own recovery.
Therapy with an LCSW, MFT, or psychologist focuses on the deeper complexity surrounding grief. If you find that you are completely consumed with grief and devastation, and/or this loss has activated past losses, traumas, or patterns that you want to explore, then grief therapy could be the right approach.
If we work together and discover that you have needs beyond the scope of grief counseling, I am happy to make a recommendation to you for a therapist to continue your care.
What happens if I cry?
Then you cry. What better place to cry than during your grief counseling session?
Tears express all kinds of emotions: anger, guilt, shock, frustration, sadness… the list goes on. It’s helpful to cry. I may cry with you.
Tears are beneficial. Studies have shown that crying is self-soothing, releasing oxytocin and endorphins to ease physical and emotional pain.
So, bring on those tears!
Do you assign homework between sessions?
I feel like I’ve received a sign or visitation from my animal. Is that normal?
Yep! I’ve worked with many clients who have experienced signs, visitations, or “God winks.” I encourage you to stay open to the possibility and enjoy these communications if you receive them.
But if you’ve never received a sign, it doesn’t mean your bond wasn’t strong with your companion animal or that your animal is in distress.
If you’d like to work on communicating with your animal, I am happy to lead you through some exercises that might help you achieve the closeness and answers you seek.
Does my animal need a diagnosis for me to qualify for anticipatory counseling?
What is your professional training and experience?
I am a Certified Grief Counselor and a Certified Pet Loss Grief Support Specialist by the American Academy of Grief Counseling. I am also a proud member of the Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement. A passionate life-long learner, I continually take courses and seminars to stay current in the field of pet loss support to gain knowledge and insight about how to serve my clients best and understand more deeply the human-animal bond. I have been working with pet loss clients since 2019.
I hold degrees from New York University (BFA) and Goddard College (MFA). I have over two decades of experience in film writing, development, and production. I am currently an instructor at New York Film Academy and have numerous awards and recognitions for my writing and work in the entertainment industry.
I am also a private writing coach for writers in various genres. I specialize in helping writers tell the stories they need to tell. Those stories often overlap in meaningful ways with the story of your special relationship with your companion animal.
What do you love about being a pet loss grief counselor?
I love the process of grief counseling from start to finish. I love getting to know and understand my clients and their animal companions on a deep level. Learning about the relationship between a human and an animal is always a powerful revelation. I am honored to hold hope for you until you find hope for yourself.
It is an amazing thing to witness the empowerment and transformation that happens in the grief counseling setting. To see the light come back into your eyes, the joy return to your life, and sometimes even the ability to welcome another animal into your home are gifts for which I am truly grateful.
Do you get sad doing grief counseling?
The opportunity to walk with someone through their difficult time and help them through to the other side is fulfilling and uplifting for me.
As many of my clients note, I often cry with you. I feel your hurt. The anticipated or complete loss of your beloved is painful.
When I finish a session, I know you have taken steps to recover and that you will be able to find some comfort that you didn’t have before. That brings me joy. Being here for you in your time of need is my privilege.
Did you ever work with a pet loss grief counselor or therapist?
Yes! I did intensive anticipatory pet loss grief work when my cat, Arnie, received a cancer diagnosis with a 30-day prognosis. Once we found a treatment regime that bought us more time, I continued to do even more work (both individually and with my husband) so that I would be ready whenever the time came.
When it did, I was prepared. I knew what to do. I gave Arnie a great death.
And, I went back for more support after his goodbye.
I have also participated in individual therapy and other self-improvement work since I was a teenager, and I’m an active member in 12-step (Al-Anon) recovery and pet-loss support groups.
I am a huge believer in the power of receiving help from others when a burden is too great to carry alone. I have benefitted deeply from all of my therapeutic work over the years.
Do you have any animals?
I have an amazing jade-eyed 18-year-old cat, Zelda.
Deepening my relationship with Zelda after the death of my “favorite” animal was one of the best opportunities that came from my grief. I learned so much from involving her in Arnie’s illness, leaning on her when he died, and watching her (and us) blossom after he was gone.
There will definitely be more animals in my future, but the kindest thing for Zelda right now is to live out her golden years as a solo kitty (with an adoring toddler fan who delights in her every shenanigan).