Grief and Bereavement Therapy Specialist in Cedar Rapids, IA

Grief is a deeply personal and multifaceted experience, affecting not only your emotional state but also your mind, body, and spirit. Grief and bereavement therapy at our practice is designed to support individuals navigating the complex emotions and changes that follow the loss of a loved one or significant life event—such as the end of a relationship, major transitions, or the loss of a job.

We understand that grief manifests in many ways, including sadness, anger, guilt, confusion, and numbness, and can disrupt your sense of identity, daily routines, and overall well-being. Our integrative approach combines evidence-based psychiatric care with holistic wellness strategies, addressing the full spectrum of your needs during this challenging time.

Our experienced clinicians provide a compassionate, nonjudgmental space where you can safely express your feelings, share memories, and process the circumstances surrounding your loss. Together, we explore the personal meaning of your experience, help you understand the natural stages of grief, and develop individualized coping strategies that support both emotional and physical healing. This may include mindfulness practices, nutritional support, medication management (if needed), and lifestyle recommendations to help restore balance.

Grieving process is a deeply personal journey—one that unfolds differently for everyone. There is no universal timeline for grief: while some may find acceptance within a few months, others may experience profound emotions for a year or even longer. Significant adjustment often occurs within six months to a year, but it is important to remember that feelings of loss can resurface at anniversaries or significant life events. Grief does not follow a predictable or linear path, and it is common to move back and forth between different emotional stages.

Our holistic approach to wellness and psychiatry means that we address grief from every angle—mind, body, and spirit. We offer therapeutic support that integrates evidence-based psychiatric care with compassionate, individualized attention. In therapy, you’ll find a safe and nonjudgmental space to express complex emotions, honor memories, and process the pain of loss. Our clinicians help you explore healthy coping strategies, manage feelings such as guilt or anger, and address symptoms of depression or anxiety that may arise during the grieving process.

For those experiencing prolonged or particularly intense grief, psychiatric support can be essential in preventing more serious mental health concerns and promoting resilience. At Holistic Wellness and Psychiatry, our goal is to support you in your healing journey—not by rushing the process, but by helping you reconnect with meaning, hope, and wellbeing as you adapt to life after loss.

The process of grieving is a deeply personal journey. At Holistic Wellness and Psychiatry, we recognize that it encompasses not only emotional pain but also impacts the mind, body, and spirit. Many individuals experience a range of emotional stages as they navigate loss. One of the most widely recognized frameworks is the five stages of grief—denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. These stages reflect common responses to loss, but everyone’s path is unique.

• Denial often acts as an initial buffer for the shock of loss, helping individuals manage overwhelming emotions.
• Anger may arise as reality sets in, sometimes directed inward or toward others.
• Bargaining can involve persistent thoughts of “what if” or “if only,” reflecting a desire to regain control.
• Depression is characterized by sadness, withdrawal, and a sense of hopelessness.
• Acceptance does not mean forgetting, but rather learning to live with the loss and finding a way forward.

Our team of psychiatrists and holistic practitioners understands that true healing involves addressing the whole person. We combine evidence-based psychiatric care with complementary therapies to support each stage of the grieving process.

Our therapeutic interventions may include:

• Psychiatric Support: Medication management and psychotherapy to address symptoms of depression, anxiety, or sleep disturbances that may accompany grief.
• Mind-Body Techniques: Mindfulness, meditation, and breathing exercises to help regulate emotional responses and reduce stress.
• Nutritional and Lifestyle Counseling: Guidance on diet, movement, and self-care practices to support physical resilience during difficult times.
• Expressive Therapies: Art, journaling, or music therapy to help process emotions in creative ways.
• Cultural and Spiritual Integration: Respect for cultural beliefs and spiritual practices, incorporating rituals or traditions that honor the loss.

Grief and bereavement can profoundly affect every aspect of your well-being—emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual. Our integrative approach to grief and bereavement therapy supports individuals experiencing complicated or prolonged grief, a form of mourning that can disrupt daily life and overall health.

Our practice provides a safe, compassionate environment where you can openly express your emotions and thoughts related to your loss. Our team, comprised of both psychiatric professionals and holistic therapists, works with you to understand and process a wide range of feelings—whether sadness, anger, guilt, or even relief. We acknowledge that these emotions are natural, and our goal is to help you navigate them without judgment.

At Holistic Wellness and Psychiatry, we utilize evidence-based psychiatric interventions—such as cognitive-behavioral therapy—and combine them with holistic modalities like mindfulness, meditation, and lifestyle counseling. This integrative method helps address unhelpful thought patterns and reframes negative beliefs that may arise after significant loss. We also explore meaning-centered therapy, supporting you in finding new purpose while still honoring your loved one’s memory.

For those experiencing complicated or prolonged grief, our psychiatric expertise enables us to identify symptoms that may overlap with depression, anxiety, or trauma, ensuring you receive comprehensive care. We address unresolved issues, manage intense or conflicting emotions, and provide coping strategies that draw from both medical and holistic traditions. Our approach helps you gradually re-engage with life, relationships, and activities you may have avoided during your grieving process.

Dr. Laurie McCormick specializes in an integrative and holistic approach to psychiatry, which includes methods specifically tailored for grief and bereavement therapy. Her approach focuses on addressing the root causes of illness, often rooted in spiritual trauma, making her uniquely qualified to guide patients through the pain of loss.

Dr. Laurie McCormick utilizes an integrative, holistic approach to grief therapy at Holistic Wellness & Psychiatry. Her techniques include Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP), functional medicine, mind-body interventions like mindfulness and breathwork, and spiritually integrated psychotherapy, all designed to address both mental and physical well-being.

At Holistic Wellness and Psychiatry, we are committed to walking alongside you in your healing journey, integrating the best of psychiatric medicine and holistic therapies to support your recovery and overall wellness. For more information, contact us or schedule an appointment online. We are located at 42 7th Ave SW, Suite 100 & 102 Cedar Rapids, IA 52404. We serve patients from Cedar Rapids IA, Hiawatha IA, Marion IA, Robins IA, Fairfax IA, Mt Vernon IA, and surrounding areas.