Catherine Sayles, LISW-CP

People often reach out when something in their life feels heavy, unsettled, or difficult to make sense of. You may be navigating grief, caregiving, a major life transition, or a period of emotional intensity connected to personal, relational, or professional responsibilities that feel hard to carry alone. Grief, Change, and Life Transitions One of my deepest passions is supporting people navigating grief, caregiving, adoption and major life transitions. I work with individuals and families across the lifespan, including specialized support for adoptee teens and adults. Grief does not just follow death. It can also show up when something meaningful, familiar, or identity shaping comes to an end, even when that ending brings relief, hope, excitement, or a renewed sense of freedom. Grief is not defined by other people’s expectations, timelines, or opinions about where you should be. It is an internal experience shaped by your history, your relationships, and the meaning of what was lost, and it deserves to be honored at your own pace and at whatever intensity your emotions show up. Grief can include physical and emotional pain, sadness, and anger, as well as moments of calm, joy, relief, or hope. These experiences can and do exist together, honoring the depth of your love and loss. How I Work Therapy with me is structured, supportive, and collaborative. Our work centers on helping you feel more steady as you move through what you are facing, without rushing you or forcing a particular outcome. As a Grief Therapist, my approach is grounded in a systems perspective and informed by my intensive training in DBT and mindfulness tools. I draw on these resources to offer support for the here-and-now by helping you navigate the 'tasks of grieving' at your own pace. These tools are available to help you find your footing and build the clarity needed to move forward with intention, whether or not you identify your current experience as grief. Nothing is imposed. Our sessions are a space to find your footing, gain clarity, and build the resilience needed to navigate life's complexities with more intention. I work with individuals and families ages 18 and older on a wide range of life transitions; for teens (ages 13–17), my practice is specifically focused on navigating the unique grief and loss experiences within the adoption journey. If you are looking for therapy that goes beyond talking and offers steady, individualized support through grief, change, or emotional intensity, this space may be a good fit.