How to Cope with Grief During the Holidays

Learn more about Grief Counseling in Montclair, NJ.

In This Blog, You’ll Learn:

• How the cycle of grief and loss affects you during the holidays
• The 6 stages of grief and how to move through them with compassion
• Common myths vs. facts about holiday grief
• How therapy professionals at Mountains Therapy help you heal
• Coping tips and FAQs about managing grief and anxiety during the holidays

The Emotional Impact of Holiday Grief

The holidays can be both joyful and painful when you’re missing someone you love. Family gatherings, traditions, and quiet moments can remind you of loss, leading to anxiety in grief, emotional exhaustion, or loneliness. At Mountains Therapy in Montclair, NJ, we understand that grief is not something you simply “get over.” It’s something you move through. Whether you’re coping with anxious grief, the cycle of grief and loss, or trying to find peace after losing a loved one, our clinical therapist team offers a safe space to heal through individual therapy, family therapy, or online grief counseling services for holiday support.

What You Might Be Grieving This Holiday Season

Grief takes many forms, and during the holidays, it often goes beyond the loss of a loved one. You may be grieving things that others don’t see or that you didn’t even realize were connected to your pain. At Mountains Therapy, our therapy specialists and therapy professionals help clients process many types of loss, including:

• Loss of a loved one - a family member, friend, partner, or pet
• Loss of connection - due to distance, estrangement, or relationship conflict
• Loss of health or ability - when illness, chronic pain, or physical changes impact your daily life
• Loss of a relationship or marriage - including divorce, separation, or breakup grief
• Loss of stability or security - financial strain, job loss, or life transitions
• Loss of time or identity - grief for the version of yourself or the life you imagined
• Loss of faith, hope, or community - when beliefs or connections shift unexpectedly

You may even experience anxiety grief, a mix of sadness, fear, and uncertainty about what lies ahead. These emotions are valid and deserve gentle care. Whether you’re grieving a person, a season of life, or a sense of belonging, therapy can help you make meaning and rediscover hope.

Understanding the 6 Stages of Grief

Grief often moves through recognizable emotional stages, but it doesn’t follow a straight path. People often wonder, how many stages of grieving are there.? There's six stages of grief that includes:

1. Denial: The shock of loss makes it hard to accept reality.
2. Anger: You may feel frustration or resentment toward circumstances or people.
3. Bargaining: “What if” thoughts arise as you try to regain control.
4. Depression: Sadness, fatigue, and withdrawal are natural parts of healing.
5. Testing: You begin exploring new ways to cope and move forward.
6. Acceptance: You make peace with the loss while holding space for love and memory.

You may move between these stages or revisit them as holidays bring up memories.? Our therapy specialists and therapy professionals guide you through each stage with understanding and compassion.

Myths vs. Facts About Holiday Grief

• Myth 1: Grief should fade after the first year.
  Fact: Grief has no timeline. Feelings may resurface during anniversaries or holidays, and that’s normal.
• Myth 2: Avoiding your emotions helps you stay strong.
  Fact: Suppressing grief only delays healing. Therapy encourages healthy emotional expression.
• Myth 3: You should try to replace old traditions to “move on.”
  Fact: You can honor your loved one by blending old and new traditions that bring comfort and meaning.
• Myth 4: Therapy is only for people who can’t cope on their own.
  Fact: Therapy is for anyone seeking guidance, validation, and tools to process anxiety grief and emotional pain.

Self-Reflection Checklist: Do I Need Grief Therapy This Holiday Season?

Take a quiet moment to reflect. If you recognize yourself in any of these, therapy can help you find relief and healing You may benefit from grief therapy if:

• You feel emotionally numb or overwhelmed during family gatherings.
• You avoid traditions because they feel too painful.
• You experience anxiety in grief that affects sleep, appetite, or focus.
• You feel isolated or misunderstood in your grief.
• You want to reconnect with purpose and meaning.

Social Media and Grief During the Holidays

Social media can be both comforting and triggering during grief. Seeing others share joyful celebrations, family photos, or “perfect” holiday moments can heighten anxiety grief and feelings of isolation. It can also create pressure to appear happy when your heart feels heavy. If you find that social media increases emotional triggers or comparison, coping therapy can help you create healthier digital boundaries while staying connected in meaningful ways. At Mountains Therapy, our therapy professionals often encourage mindful social media use during the holidays. 

Here are a few ways to protect your emotional well-being:

• Set time limits: Spend intentional time online instead of endless scrolling.
• Curate your feed: Unfollow or mute accounts that cause distress and follow pages that focus on grief support, mindfulness, or healing.
• Share authentically: It’s okay to post about your feelings, memories, or moments of reflection instead of forcing positivity.
• Take breaks: Deleting apps temporarily or practicing “digital detox days” can lower anxiety in grief and help you stay present with yourself and loved ones.

How Therapy Helps During the Holidays

Therapy grief care at Mountains Therapy focuses on gentle healing and emotional balance. Through coping therapy, our clinical therapist team helps you navigate emotional waves and find hope in meaningful ways.

Our evidence-based approaches include:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - CBT for Grief
  Helps reframe negative thoughts and ease anxiety in grief.
• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy- DBT for Grief: Teaches mindfulness and emotion regulation for managing anxious grief.
• Psychodynamic Therapyfor Grief: Uncovers the roots of your grief through early attachments and family patterns.
• Mindfulness-Based Therapy MBTfor Grief: Encourages grounding, meditation, and compassion-focused awareness.
• Narrative Therapyfor Grief: Empowers you to rewrite your story while honoring your loved one’s legacy.
• Learn more on our Treatments page.

Our Therapy Services and Specialties

At Mountains Therapy, we offer personalized support through our counseling clinic and therapy office in Montclair, NJ, and online across NJ, NC, FL, and UT. If you’ve been searching for grief therapy near me or how to book a therapist who specializes in holiday grief, you can easily schedule your session through our Client Portal.

Our services include:

• Individual Therapy in Montclair, NJ for navigating emotional pain and healing.
• Couples Therapy in Montclair, NJ to help you and your partner grieve together.
• Family Therapy in Montclair, NJ to help loved ones grieve together.
• Online Therapy in Montclair, NJ for private, accessible care.
• Coping Therapy in Montclair, NJ designed to reduce anxiety grief and emotional overwhelm.

Mindfulness, Apps, and Resources for Holiday Grief

Mindfulness can be a lifeline during emotional times. Meditation apps like Calm and Insight Timer help people reflect and breathe through moments of sadness. Many also benefit from grief journals, guided meditations, and online communities for emotional support.

If you’ve been wondering:

• What are the best apps for managing holiday grief and emotional well-being?
• Are there virtual support groups for people experiencing holiday grief?
• Which online workshops focus on healing from holiday grief?
• What are the top grief journals or planners to use during the holidays?

Pairing these tools with therapy gives you both structure and support for healing during this sensitive season.

Frequently Asked Questions About Holiday Grief

• How can I find online grief counseling services for holiday support?
  You can connect with our therapy specialists for online grief counseling across NJ, NC, FL, and UT through our Client Portal.
• What are the best apps for managing holiday grief and emotional well-being?
  Many find support through Calm, Insight Timer, or Headspace. Pairing them with professional therapy grief sessions provides lasting relief.
• Where can I buy books on coping with holiday grief?
  Look for books by therapists specializing in loss, mindfulness, or coping therapy on platforms like Bookshop.org or your local library.
• Are there virtual support groups for people experiencing holiday grief?
  Yes, but we also provide one-on-one support with a clinical therapist for deeper emotional work.
• What meditation or mindfulness apps help with holiday grief?
  Insight Timer, Calm, and UCLA Mindful are great for guided meditations that focus on acceptance and peace.
• How do I book a therapist who specializes in holiday grief?
  Visit our Client Portal to book a session with a licensed therapist who understands grief during the holidays.
• Which online workshops focus on healing from holiday grief?
  We recommend combining community-based grief groups with ongoing therapy for emotional continuity.
• What are the top grief journals or planners to use during the holidays?
  Journals like Grief Day by Day or The Mindful Grieving Journal can be paired with therapy sessions for reflection and structure.
• Are there mobile apps that track mood and provide grief coping tips for holidays?
  Yes, tools like Moodfit or Wysa help track emotional changes alongside professional coping therapy.
• How can I access crisis helpline apps for holiday grief emergencies?
  If you’re in emotional distress, call or text 988 for immediate help, and follow up with a therapy professional for ongoing care.

Healing Through Connection

Grief changes you, but it can also deepen your capacity for love and understanding. You don’t have to face the holidays alone. Our therapy professionals and clinical therapists are here to help you rebuild meaning, connection, and peace. Find comfort this holiday season. Explore Grief and Loss Therapy and connect with a clinical therapist at Mountains Therapy today.

Therapy Quote:  "Grief is not a sign of weakness; it is the strength of love remembering."

Contact us to find the top rated grief therapists in Montclair, NJ and the top rated grief counselors in Montclair, NJ.