Compassionate Grief and Bereavement Counseling in Las Vegas
Meridian Behavioral Health provides compassionate grief counseling and bereavement therapy for adults and adolescents in Las Vegas, Nevada. Grief is a natural response to loss, but when grief becomes overwhelming, prolonged, or complicated, professional support can help you process your emotions and move forward.
Our licensed therapist, Derek Wise, MA, LCPC, provides individualized grief counseling using evidence-based approaches at our two Las Vegas offices and via telehealth for Nevada residents.
Key Takeaways: Grief Counseling
- What it is: Professional support to help individuals process the emotional, physical, and cognitive impacts of a significant loss (death, divorce, chronic illness, or traumatic event).
- Who it's for: Anyone feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unable to function months after a loss, or those experiencing normal grief who want guided support.
- How it works: Utilizing CBT for grief, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and EMDR for traumatic loss to integrate the reality of the loss without forgetting the loved one.
- Local Focus: We provide specialized support for the Las Vegas community, including first responders, veterans, and individuals affected by local community traumas.
Grief is not limited to the death of a loved one. People grieve the loss of relationships, health, identity, safety, and other significant life changes. According to the American Psychological Association, approximately 10 to 15 percent of bereaved individuals develop prolonged grief disorder, a condition where grief symptoms persist at a disabling level for 12 months or more after a loss.
Meridian Behavioral Health helps patients navigate both normal and complicated grief.
Types of Loss We Help Patients Process
- Death of a spouse, partner, parent, child, sibling, or close friend
- Miscarriage and pregnancy loss
- Divorce or end of a significant relationship
- Loss of health due to chronic illness, injury, or disability
- Job loss, forced retirement, or career ending
- Military service separation and veteran transition grief
- Loss of safety after trauma, abuse, or violence
- Pet loss
- Anticipatory grief during a loved one's terminal illness
What is the Difference Between Normal Grief and Prolonged Grief Disorder?
Normal Grief Reactions
Grief is a deeply personal experience that does not follow a predictable timeline. Common grief reactions include:
- Sadness, crying, and emotional numbness
- Anger, guilt, or regret
- Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
- Changes in appetite and sleep patterns
- Withdrawal from social activities
- Physical symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, or stomach problems
- Waves of intense emotion that come and go unpredictably
These reactions are normal and typically become less intense over weeks and months, though grief may resurface around anniversaries, holidays, or triggering events.
Prolonged Grief Disorder
Prolonged grief disorder, recognized as a clinical diagnosis in the DSM-5-TR, occurs when grief symptoms remain intense and disabling for 12 months or more after a loss. Signs include:
- Persistent yearning or longing for the deceased
- Intense emotional pain
- Difficulty accepting the reality of the loss
- Feeling that life is meaningless without the person
- Difficulty engaging in ongoing life
- Emotional numbness or detachment
- Avoidance of reminders of the loss
Prolonged grief disorder requires clinical treatment, and early intervention improves outcomes.
Grief Counseling Approaches at Meridian
Individualized Grief Therapy
Our grief counseling is tailored to each patient's unique experience of loss. Derek Wise uses a combination of evidence-based approaches including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for grief, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and meaning-making therapy.
These approaches help patients process painful emotions, challenge unhelpful thought patterns, develop coping strategies for difficult moments, and gradually rebuild a meaningful life after loss.
EMDR for Traumatic Loss
When a loss involves traumatic circumstances — such as a sudden or violent death, witnessing the death of a loved one, or a loss associated with abuse — standard grief counseling may not be sufficient.
Derek Wise uses EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) to process the traumatic aspects of the loss, helping patients separate the traumatic memories from the grief itself.
Medication Support
Grief can trigger or worsen clinical depression and anxiety. When grief-related depression or anxiety becomes severe, medication may be appropriate.
Amy Wise, PMHNP-BC, provides psychiatric evaluation and medication management for patients experiencing grief-related mental health conditions. Medication is never a replacement for grief counseling but can provide symptom relief that allows patients to engage more fully in therapy.
Grief and Loss in the Las Vegas Community
Las Vegas is a city where many residents live far from their families of origin, which can make grieving especially isolating. When a loved one dies in another state, Las Vegas residents may feel disconnected from funeral rituals, family support, and the communal grieving process. Our therapist provides a consistent, supportive relationship that helps patients grieve even when they lack local support networks.
Additionally, the Las Vegas community was profoundly affected by the October 1, 2017, mass shooting. Many Las Vegas residents continue to process grief and trauma from that event. Derek Wise, as a certified EMDR therapist, provides specialized treatment for individuals affected by this and other community tragedies.
Meet Your Treatment Team at Meridian Behavioral Health
Amy Wise, APRN-CNP
Psychiatric Provider
Amy Wise, APRN-CNP, offers compassionate, personalized medication management to teens and adults navigating complex mental health challenges across Nevada. With a focus on building trust and empowering her clients, Amy serves individuals ages 12 and up. Her care is deeply rooted in understanding the full scope of each person's experience. Amy is committed to providing safe, evidence-based psychiatric care that supports long-term emotional wellness and resilience.
Derek Wise, MA, LCPC
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
Derek Wise is a licensed clinical professional counselor and fully certified EMDR therapist. As a United States Marine Corps veteran, Derek brings unique perspective on trauma, resilience, and recovery. He specializes in PTSD, anxiety, depression, and complex trauma using evidence-based therapies including EMDR, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT).
Our Convenient Las Vegas Location
Southwest Las Vegas — Fort Apache Office
5510 S Fort Apache Rd, Suite 27, Las Vegas, NV 89148
Located in Spring Valley near Summerlin, accessible from the 215 Beltway, West Flamingo Road, and West nue. Serves patients from Summerlin, Spring Valley, Enterprise, and Mountain's Edge.
Southwest Las Vegas Location
Both offices offer flexible scheduling and free parking. Telehealth appointments are available statewide for all Nevada residents.
Insurance Plans Accepted
Meridian Behavioral Health is in-network with multiple major insurance carriers, keeping your out-of-pocket costs as low as possible.
Self-pay options are available. Call (702) 604-2498 to verify your coverage before your first appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Grief Counseling
Consider grief counseling if your grief is interfering with daily functioning (work, relationships, self-care), if you feel stuck or unable to move forward months after a loss, if you are experiencing thoughts of self-harm, or if grief is triggering depression, anxiety, or substance use. There is no "too early" or "too late" to seek support.
Yes. Grief counseling is covered under outpatient behavioral health benefits when provided by a licensed mental health professional. Meridian accepts Aetna, Cigna, Anthem BCBS, UnitedHealthcare, Medicare, Medicaid, and other major plans.
The duration varies by individual. Some patients find relief in 8 to 12 sessions. Prolonged grief disorder or traumatic loss may require longer treatment. Your therapist will work with you to determine the appropriate treatment length.
Yes. Grief counseling is highly effective via telehealth. All our therapy services are available via secure video for Nevada residents.
No. Grief and depression share some symptoms (sadness, sleep changes, loss of interest) but are distinct conditions. Grief is a response to a specific loss and typically comes in waves. Depression is a persistent condition that may or may not have an identifiable trigger. However, grief can trigger clinical depression, and both can be treated simultaneously.
Sources & Authority
- American Psychological Association (APA) — Grief:
https://www.apa.org/topics/grief - Mental Health America (MHA) — Bereavement and Grief:
https://mhanational.org/bereavement-and-grief - Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) — Coping with Grief After Community Violence:
https://store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/d7/priv/sma14-4888.pdf
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It is not a substitute for professional care. If you are experiencing a medical or psychiatric emergency, please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately.
Schedule Your Grief Counseling Appointment Today
If you or a loved one is struggling with grief, Meridian Behavioral Health is here to help. Our experienced providers offer evidence-based treatment in a supportive, confidential environment. Taking the first step toward treatment is the hardest part — we make the rest as easy as possible.