Yes. The sources cited here set no calendar limit on starting grief therapy. The National Institute of Mental Health addresses anyone who “is struggling emotionally, or has concerns about their mental health,” and lists “therapy (virtual or in person)” among treatments. The American Psychiatric Association adds that grief does not always call for treatment.
Is there a wrong time of year to start grief therapy?
None of the sources cited here names one. The National Institute of Mental Health’s help page, last reviewed in April 2026, says a primary care provider can “perform an initial mental health screening and refer you to a mental health professional.”
Holiday timing is a real consideration for many people. In the American Psychiatric Association’s November 2025 Healthy Minds Poll of 2,203 U.S. adults, 48% said they were worried about missing someone or grief during the holidays, and 41% expected more holiday stress than the year before.
The American Psychological Association’s holiday grief article says the holidays “tend to amplify feelings of loss.” That may be one reason people consider support at this time of year, though the article does not recommend therapy by season.
Neither source ties those worries to a recommended start date for therapy. The sources give no reason to think the holidays rule therapy out.
Does everyone who is grieving need therapy?
No. The American Psychiatric Association’s prolonged grief disorder page, physician-reviewed in August 2025, says that for most people the symptoms of grief begin to decrease over time, and that grieving people “do not usually require mental health treatment.”
The same page estimates that 4% to 15% of bereaved adults experience the persistent symptoms of prolonged grief disorder. It says that “evidence-based treatments are available” for people whose symptoms are intense and lasting. The estimate cites Prigerson et al. (2021) and Doering et al. (2022).
Whether a person’s grief meets that definition is a question only a licensed clinician can answer. The page does not say how to decide when to seek help for grief that falls short of the definition, and neither does this one.
What does grief therapy involve?
The American Psychiatric Association’s prolonged grief disorder page describes several approaches for persistent grief. Treatments using elements of cognitive-behavioral therapy have been found to be effective in reducing symptoms. Prolonged Grief Therapy “has focused on how mourners can adapt to the loss.” Other approaches include narrative disclosure and targeting experiential avoidance. The page also describes online interventions in which mourners write virtual notes to the person who died as effective, and it cites Szuhany et al. (2021) for Prolonged Grief Therapy.
The page adds that bereavement support groups and peer support “can also provide a useful source of social connection and support.” It also states that “there are currently no medications to treat specific symptoms of grief.”
These descriptions concern treatment for prolonged grief disorder. They are not a description of any one therapist’s sessions.
What does this page not cover?
This page does not tell any reader whether to start therapy, and it does not diagnose grief or replace care from a licensed clinician. It does not cover choosing a therapist, cost, insurance, scheduling, or what a first session looks like with any practice.
It also does not cover crisis situations. The National Institute of Mental Health’s help page lists emergency and crisis resources. The full guide, How Do You Get Through the Holidays After a Loss?, covers the holiday season after a loss in depth.
The statistics on this page describe groups of people, not any one reader. Each statistic is linked to its source, with the source’s date stated in the text.
Frequently asked questions
The National Institute of Mental Health’s help page, last reviewed in April 2026, does not say a diagnosis is required. It is addressed to anyone who is struggling emotionally or has concerns about their mental health. A licensed clinician can explain what an assessment involves.
The American Psychiatric Association’s prolonged grief disorder page states that there are currently no medications to treat specific symptoms of grief, and that research into medications is ongoing. The page describes psychotherapy approaches and support groups for persistent grief. Needs differ by person.
The National Institute of Mental Health says a primary care provider can perform an initial mental health screening and refer you to a mental health professional. The page also suggests bringing up your mental health concerns and asking for help. Referral routes vary by insurance and location.