You may be looking for help with
Sadness, numbness, anger, guilt, longing, confusion, or changes in identity and daily life after a death, separation, illness, role change, or other meaningful loss.
Grief & Loss
Support for Grief & Loss
About this concern
Understanding Grief & Loss
Grief & Loss can show up in different ways, and the experience is not the same for everyone. Some people notice sadness, numbness, anger, guilt, longing, confusion, or changes in identity and daily life after a death, separation, illness, role change, or other meaningful loss. These concerns can affect relationships, routines, sleep, concentration, faith, identity, and the ability to imagine life moving forward. Therapy is not a one-size-fits-all solution or a substitute for appropriate medical, psychiatric, or emergency care, but it can provide a structured place to understand what is happening, identify goals, and consider practical support.
Grief & Loss support at Prickly Pear Therapy
Michelle Chavez provides support related to Grief & Loss through Prickly Pear Therapy in Rio Rancho. Connected clinician profiles include work with Adults, Children, Individuals in Recovery, and School-Aged Children. Available therapy formats may include Couples Therapy, Family Therapy, and Group Therapy. Clinician profiles also list approaches such as CBT. Telehealth is available across New Mexico. Care is individualized, and the practice can explain current availability, fit, and the next step.
How support may look
These examples can help you recognize what you want support with and prepare questions for the practice.
How therapy may help
Therapy can offer space to process the loss, understand changing emotions, maintain meaningful connections, navigate practical transitions, and build support without imposing a timetable.
Support built around your needs
Grief is personal and culturally shaped. Support should respect the person’s relationship, beliefs, family context, and the type and timing of the loss.
Grief & Loss therapy with Michelle Chavez
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Accepting New ClientsTelehealthOwner & Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Michelle Chavez is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and the founder of Prickly Pear Therapy. She provides warm, collaborative care for children, teens, adults, and families, with an emphasis on recognizing each client’s strengths and creating practical paths toward healing and growth.
Insurance: Blue Cross Blue Shield, Medicaid, Molina Healthcare, Presbyterian, TRICARE, United Healthcare
Questions about support for Grief & Loss
These answers are a starting point. Contact the practice to confirm what applies to your situation and current services.
Can therapy help with Grief & Loss?
Therapy can offer space to process the loss, understand changing emotions, maintain meaningful connections, navigate practical transitions, and build support without imposing a timetable. The best plan depends on the person’s goals, safety, history, preferences, and any medical or psychiatric needs.
Do I need a diagnosis before reaching out?
Grief itself is not automatically a mental health disorder. People may still seek therapy when a loss feels overwhelming, complicated, isolating, or disruptive to daily life.
What might support at Prickly Pear Therapy include?
Michelle Chavez is the clinician currently connected with this concern at Prickly Pear Therapy. Connected clinician profiles currently include work with Adults, Children, Individuals in Recovery, and School-Aged Children. Available formats may include Couples Therapy, Family Therapy, and Group Therapy. Clinician profiles also list approaches such as CBT. The practice is based in Rio Rancho, NM 87124. Telehealth is available across New Mexico.
How do I get started?
Contact Prickly Pear Therapy to share what kind of support you are seeking, ask about current availability, and learn which clinician or service may be the best next step. You do not need to know the exact therapy approach before reaching out.
How will we know whether therapy is helping?
Progress can look different for different people. You and your clinician may review goals, day-to-day functioning, coping, relationships, symptoms, or other changes that matter to you and adjust the plan when needed.
What if I am not sure this is the right concern or service?
You do not need to diagnose yourself or choose the perfect service before contacting Prickly Pear Therapy. Describe what you are experiencing in general terms and the practice can help identify a reasonable next step.
Information sources See the public resources used for the educational foundation
The general educational information on this page was informed by the public resources below. These organizations do not endorse Prickly Pear Therapy, and these links do not replace individualized medical or mental-health care.
- National Institute of Mental Health — Health Topics NIMH
- American Psychiatric Association — About DSM-5-TR American Psychiatric Association
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