Dr. Elizabeth A. Mellin

Grief is not always tied to a single event. Often, it is something carried quietly over time. It may follow the death of a loved one, the end of a relationship, changes in health, or the loss of faith or direction. It may also live beneath the surface, shaped by childhood experiences, unmet needs, or the need to adapt early in order to belong or stay safe. Many people come to therapy feeling tired, unsettled, or disconnected without fully knowing why. What often emerges is grief that never had space to be named or tended. I understand grief not only as something that follows loss, but as something carried in the body, the nervous system, and the inner life. Childhood trauma and toxic stress can leave behind grief for what was missed or never fully allowed to exist. For women and LGBTQ+ adults, this grief is often layered with rejection, silence, or delayed belonging, shaped by both personal and collective histories. By midlife or later life, this accumulated grief often begins to ask for attention. This work often resonates with women and LGBTQ+ adults who are reflective, emotionally aware, and navigating a season of transition. Many have spent years being capable and responsible while feeling inwardly disconnected from their deeper self. My approach is relational, trauma informed, and body aware. We move at a pace that honors your history and capacity, paying attention to how grief lives in both story and sensation. Therapy becomes a space to mourn what was lost, acknowledge what endured, and gently reconnect with parts of yourself shaped by resilience and truth. Grief that has lived quietly deserves care and respect. I offer a steady, affirming space for women and LGBTQ+ adults, especially those in midlife and later life, to explore grief, identity, and meaning with honesty and compassion. If this work feels aligned, I invite you to reach out.