Grief & Trauma Therapy in Northern Virginia
Compassionate, evidence-based treatment to help you navigate loss, heal from trauma, and rebuild a meaningful life — for children, adolescents, and adults across Loudoun County.
Understanding Grief and Trauma
Grief is a natural and deeply personal response to loss. Whether you are mourning the death of a loved one, coping with a divorce, adjusting to a major life transition, or processing the loss of a relationship, the emotional weight of grief can affect every aspect of your daily life. At Lansdowne Mental Health Services in Ashburn, Virginia, we understand that there is no “right” way to grieve, and we provide a supportive environment where you can process your emotions at your own pace.
Trauma occurs when an individual experiences or witnesses an event that is physically or emotionally overwhelming. Traumatic events can range from accidents and natural disasters to abuse, violence, or the sudden loss of a loved one. When left untreated, trauma can lead to lasting psychological difficulties that interfere with work, relationships, and overall well-being.
Our team of licensed clinicians in Lansdowne, VA, specializes in helping individuals and families across Northern Virginia heal from grief and trauma through personalized, evidence-based care.
Types of Trauma We Treat
Trauma manifests in many forms, and recognizing the type you are dealing with is an important step toward healing. Our Loudoun County providers are experienced in treating all types of trauma, including:
- ✓Acute trauma — resulting from a single distressing event such as a car accident, assault, or natural disaster
- ✓Chronic trauma — caused by prolonged or repeated exposure to distressing situations, such as domestic violence or ongoing abuse
- ✓Complex trauma — arising from exposure to multiple traumatic events, often beginning in childhood and involving interpersonal relationships
- ✓Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) — a clinical condition that develops when trauma symptoms persist and significantly impair daily functioning
Grief Stages and Complicated Grief
While grief often follows recognized stages — denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance — the reality is that grief is rarely linear. Many individuals move back and forth between stages or experience them in an unexpected order. This is entirely normal.
However, when grief becomes prolonged or intensifies over time rather than gradually easing, it may develop into complicated grief (also known as prolonged grief disorder). Symptoms of complicated grief include persistent yearning, difficulty accepting the loss, emotional numbness, bitterness, and an inability to engage in daily activities months or years after the loss.
At our Lansdowne practice, Laurie Thomson, LPC, is an Advanced Grief Recovery Method Specialist who brings specialized expertise to help patients work through complicated grief using structured, evidence-based approaches that facilitate genuine healing.
Grief and Trauma in Children vs. Adults
Children and adults process grief and trauma differently, and both require age-appropriate therapeutic interventions. Adults may experience persistent sadness, flashbacks, insomnia, irritability, or difficulty concentrating. They may also turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms such as substance use or social withdrawal.
Children and adolescents, on the other hand, may not have the language to express what they are feeling. Signs of grief or trauma in younger patients can include:
- ✓Behavioral regression (bed-wetting, clinginess, tantrums)
- ✓Sudden decline in academic performance
- ✓Nightmares, sleep disturbances, or fear of separation
- ✓Physical complaints such as stomachaches or headaches
- ✓Withdrawal from friends, family, or previously enjoyed activities
Our providers in Ashburn and Loudoun County have extensive experience working with children and families, ensuring that young patients receive the specialized care they need in a safe and nurturing setting.
Our Treatment Approach
At Lansdowne Mental Health Services, we believe that effective grief and trauma treatment begins with building a trusting therapeutic relationship. Our clinicians draw from multiple evidence-based modalities to create an individualized treatment plan tailored to each patient's unique needs:
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
TF-CBT is a highly effective, structured approach that helps patients identify and challenge distorted thought patterns related to traumatic experiences. This therapy has strong research support for both children and adults and incorporates relaxation techniques, cognitive processing, and gradual exposure to trauma-related memories.
EMDR-Informed Techniques
Our therapists incorporate concepts from Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to help patients process and integrate traumatic memories, reducing the emotional charge associated with those experiences.
Grief Recovery Method
Under the guidance of Laurie Thomson, LPC, our practice offers the Grief Recovery Method — a structured, action-based program that helps individuals move beyond the pain of loss by identifying and completing unresolved emotional communications.
Medication Support
When appropriate, our psychiatric providers may recommend medication to manage symptoms such as persistent anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, or PTSD-related hyperarousal. Medication is always used as part of a comprehensive treatment plan, never as a standalone solution.
When to Seek Help
It can be difficult to know when grief or trauma requires professional support. Consider reaching out to our Northern Virginia team if you or a loved one is experiencing any of the following:
- ✓Grief or emotional distress that has not improved after several months
- ✓Flashbacks, nightmares, or intrusive thoughts about a traumatic event
- ✓Difficulty functioning at work, school, or in relationships
- ✓Feelings of hopelessness, numbness, or emotional detachment
- ✓Increased use of alcohol or other substances to cope
- ✓Thoughts of self-harm or suicide
Seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Our compassionate team at Lansdowne Mental Health Services is here to provide the support you need.
Supporting a Loved One Through Grief or Trauma
If someone you care about is struggling with grief or trauma, your support can make a meaningful difference. Here are some ways you can help:
- ✓Listen without judgment and avoid offering unsolicited advice
- ✓Be patient — healing is not linear and takes time
- ✓Encourage professional help without pressuring
- ✓Take care of your own mental health — supporting someone through trauma can be emotionally taxing
Why Choose Lansdowne Mental Health Services
- ✓Specialized expertise — including Laurie Thomson, LPC, an Advanced Grief Recovery Method Specialist
- ✓Comprehensive care for children, adolescents, and adults under one roof
- ✓Evidence-based treatment including TF-CBT, EMDR-informed techniques, and medication management
- ✓Convenient Lansdowne location serving Ashburn, Leesburg, Sterling, and all of Loudoun County
- ✓Insurance accepted — we work with most major insurance providers in Virginia
Related Services
Grief and trauma often co-occur with other mental health conditions. Explore our related services:
Frequently Asked Questions About Grief & Trauma Therapy
Grief is the natural emotional response to loss, such as the death of a loved one, divorce, or a major life change. Trauma results from exposure to a deeply distressing or life-threatening event that overwhelms your ability to cope. While grief and trauma can overlap, trauma often involves feelings of helplessness, fear, and hypervigilance that persist well beyond the initial event. Both conditions benefit from professional support, and our clinicians are experienced in treating each.
While grief is a normal process, you should consider seeking help if your grief persists for more than six months without improvement, interferes with your ability to work or maintain relationships, leads to thoughts of self-harm, or includes symptoms like intense guilt, numbness, or an inability to accept the loss. Early intervention can prevent grief from becoming a more complex condition.
Yes. Our providers offer comprehensive treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) using evidence-based approaches including trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, medication management, and supportive counseling. We create individualized treatment plans to help patients process traumatic experiences safely and develop healthy coping strategies.
Children can absolutely experience trauma, and their symptoms may look different from those of adults. Children might express trauma through behavioral changes, regression, difficulty in school, nightmares, or physical complaints. Our child-focused approach uses age-appropriate therapeutic techniques, involves parents and caregivers in treatment, and creates a safe environment where children can process their experiences at their own pace.
Most major insurance plans cover mental health treatment for grief and trauma-related conditions. Coverage depends on your specific plan, diagnosis, and the type of services provided. Our administrative team can help verify your insurance benefits before your first appointment. We recommend contacting your insurance provider directly to confirm your mental health coverage details.
Ready to Begin Your Healing Journey?
You do not have to face grief or trauma alone. Our experienced clinicians in Lansdowne, Virginia, are here to guide you toward recovery with compassion and expertise. Contact us today to schedule your first appointment.