Specialized Therapy for Grief and Loss in NYC

What is Grief?

To experience loss is to know what it means to be human. Grief is a natural response to losing someone or something significant in your life. While it most often follows major life events such as death, divorce, miscarriage, or financial hardship, grief can also arise from smaller, less obvious losses that carry deep emotional impact. I help individuals and couples navigate the profound landscape of loss by integrating depth-oriented psychotherapy with a compassionate space to process the unique emotional, existential, and practical complexities of their grief.

Dr. Matthew Paldy, PhD, LP

Not all losses are clear-cut. Ambiguous loss refers to losses that may be less visible to others but still trigger powerful grief reactions. This can occur when someone is physically present but psychologically absent, as with a family member affected by dementia, addiction, chronic mental illness, or traumatic brain injury. Ambiguous loss can also happen when someone is emotionally present but physically absent, such as in cases of a missing person, the end of an affair, or the loss of a hidden relationship. In these situations, the lack of formal closure can make grieving particularly complex and prolonged.

The Experience of Grieving

Grief manifests differently for everyone. It can take emotional, physical, social, and spiritual forms, and the intensity and duration may vary widely. Individuals, couples, and families may benefit from support to manage these complex feelings and honor the unique ways each person experiences loss.

In my work, I help people process grief in a safe, supportive environment, acknowledging that every loss is unique. Through guided reflection, validation, and compassionate support, it is possible to move through grief while preserving connection, meaning, and hope.

Common Symptoms of Grief

• "I cry all the time, at nothing." → Intense sadness, crying, or depressive moods.
• "I can't feel much. Even love for my family." → Emotional numbness, detachment, or dissociation.
• "I mostly stay home. I have no urge to go out or socialize." → Social withdrawal, isolation, or loneliness.
• "I have no energy anymore." → Fatigue, diminished motivation, or sleep disturbances.
• "I can't forgive myself for what happened." → Guilt, anxiety, or hypervigilance.
• "I'm drinking too much and I know it." → Increased substance use, risky behaviors, or other avoidance coping.
• "I always feel tense." → Physical symptoms such as headaches, digestive issues, or chest tightness.

Healing and Support

Grief is a deeply human experience that can profoundly affect emotional, relational, and physical well-being. The process of grieving is unique to each individual, and some may benefit from support in understanding and working through complex feelings, whether as individuals, couples, or families.

I provide a safe and supportive environment where grief can be processed at a manageable pace. Together, we explore your unique experience, validate your emotions, and work toward restoring connection, meaning, and hope. Grief does not have to be endured alone — it can be a path toward understanding, resilience, and a renewed sense of self.

I help you navigate grief in a way that honors your loss while gradually restoring meaning and connection. Using narrative therapy, mindfulness, and reflective exercises, we integrate the loss into your story and gradually rebuild purpose, hope, and a coherent sense of self. I also support rebuilding connection — with yourself and others — helping you develop the skills and resilience to re-engage meaningfully with life at your own pace.