Top 10 Best Grief Counselor in Saint Petersburg (Verified & Reviewed Guide)

Introduction

People search for a Grief Counselor in Saint Petersburg when loss starts affecting daily life—sleep, appetite, work performance, relationships, or the ability to feel grounded after a death, miscarriage, divorce, trauma, or major life transition. Many also look for help when grief becomes complicated by anxiety, depression, guilt, anger, or isolation.

This guide explains what grief counseling is, what it typically costs locally, and how to choose the right support based on your situation (individual therapy, family support, hospice bereavement services, or hospital-based programs).

To build this list, I only included organizations with a clear, publicly available presence and a credible connection to grief and bereavement support in or serving Saint Petersburg. Where ratings, pricing, or review summaries were not reliably available, they are marked as Not publicly stated rather than guessed.

About Grief Counselor

A Grief Counselor helps people process loss in a structured, supportive setting. Depending on the provider’s background, grief counseling may include talk therapy, coping skills, trauma-informed care, family sessions, group support, and guidance through anniversaries, holidays, and life transitions after loss.

You may consider grief counseling when grief feels “stuck,” when you’re avoiding reminders of the loss, or when symptoms are interfering with daily functioning for weeks or months. It can also help when grief is layered with caregiver burnout, sudden loss, or complicated family dynamics.

Average cost in Saint Petersburg: pricing varies widely depending on licensure, setting, and session length. For private therapy, a common self-pay range is often about $120–$220 per 45–60 minute session (varies / depends). Group support is often lower cost, and some hospice bereavement programs may be offered at no cost to eligible participants (eligibility and availability vary).

Licensing/certifications (Florida): “Grief Counselor” is not always a regulated job title. Many reputable grief providers are licensed clinicians such as:

• LMHC (Licensed Mental Health Counselor)
• LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker)
• LMFT (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist)
• Psychologist (PhD/PsyD) or Psychiatrist (MD/DO) (for complex cases and/or medication management)

Some professionals also hold grief-specific training or certificates (program names and requirements vary). When in doubt, ask for the clinician’s Florida license type and number, and confirm they have experience with bereavement.

Key takeaways

• Grief counseling can be short-term (6–12 sessions) or longer-term depending on symptoms and goals.
• The best fit depends on whether you need individual therapy, family sessions, groups, or hospice/hospital bereavement support.
• In Florida, a licensed clinician (LMHC/LCSW/LMFT/psychologist) is a strong signal for clinical counseling.
• Pricing in Saint Petersburg varies by provider type, insurance acceptance, and session format.

How We Selected the Best Grief Counselor in Saint Petersburg

Here’s the evaluation criteria used to determine which providers to include and how to compare them:

• Years of experience
• Looked for clear indications of organizational history or clinician background when publicly available.
• Verified customer review signals (publicly available only)
• Considered ratings/review presence when reliably visible; many medical/nonprofit providers don’t publish review summaries in a consistent way.
• Service range
• Prioritized providers offering grief-specific support (bereavement services, loss counseling, support groups) or clearly treating grief/loss within behavioral health.
• Pricing transparency
• Noted when pricing or “what to expect” information was publicly explained; when not available, listed as Not publicly stated.
• Local reputation
• Considered established local institutions (health systems, hospice organizations, nonprofits) that are known to serve the Saint Petersburg area.

This guide is based on information that is publicly available from official websites and general, widely known service descriptions. If a detail (rating, phone, direct email, pricing) wasn’t confidently confirmable, it’s marked accordingly to avoid inaccuracies.

About Saint Petersburg

Saint Petersburg is a major city in Pinellas County on Florida’s Gulf Coast, part of the Tampa Bay region. With a large year-round population plus seasonal residents and a strong healthcare footprint, demand for grief support spans hospital systems, hospice care, nonprofits, and private counseling.

Service demand is often driven by:

• Aging population and caregiver stress
• Medical events and end-of-life transitions
• Family and relationship changes
• Trauma exposure (including sudden loss)

Common neighborhoods and areas served in Saint Petersburg typically include Downtown, Old Northeast, Historic Kenwood, Crescent Lake, Snell Isle, Shore Acres, Tyrone, Disston Heights, Jungle Prada, and Greater Pinellas Point (exact service areas vary by provider and are not always publicly stated).

Top 5 Best Grief Counselor in Saint Petersburg

#1 — Empath Health (Suncoast Hospice Bereavement Services)

• Rating: Not publicly stated
• Years of Experience: Not publicly stated
• Services Offered: Bereavement support (may include counseling and support groups), anticipatory grief support (availability varies), resources for families affected by hospice care (details vary / depends)
• Price Range: Not publicly stated (many hospice bereavement programs may be low-cost or no-cost for eligible families; eligibility varies / depends)
• Contact Phone: Not publicly stated
• Contact Email (if available): Not publicly stated
• Website (if available): https://empathhealth.org/
• Google Map or ProfessNow or Yelp Link:
• Google Reviews Summary: Not publicly stated
• Best For (Budget / Emergency / Premium / Family-Friendly / etc.): Family support connected to hospice care; structured bereavement resources

#2 — VITAS Healthcare (Tampa Bay Area — Hospice & Bereavement Support)

• Rating: Not publicly stated
• Years of Experience: Not publicly stated
• Services Offered: Hospice-related bereavement support and grief resources (availability varies), counseling/support for families connected to hospice care (details vary / depends)
• Price Range: Not publicly stated (hospice-related bereavement support may be included for eligible families; varies / depends)
• Contact Phone: Not publicly stated
• Contact Email (if available): Not publicly stated
• Website (if available): https://www.vitas.com/
• Google Map or ProfessNow or Yelp Link:
• Google Reviews Summary: Not publicly stated
• Best For (Budget / Emergency / Premium / Family-Friendly / etc.): Hospice-connected grief support; families needing a care-team model (availability varies)

#3 — BayCare Behavioral Health (Saint Petersburg Area)

• Rating: Not publicly stated
• Years of Experience: Not publicly stated
• Services Offered: Behavioral health services that may include therapy for grief and loss (services vary by clinic and clinician), referrals to higher levels of care when needed (varies / depends)
• Price Range: Not publicly stated (insurance acceptance and self-pay options vary / depends)
• Contact Phone: Not publicly stated
• Contact Email (if available): Not publicly stated
• Website (if available): https://www.baycare.org/
• Google Map or ProfessNow or Yelp Link:
• Google Reviews Summary: Not publicly stated
• Best For (Budget / Emergency / Premium / Family-Friendly / etc.): People who want grief support within a larger health system; coordinated care and referrals

#4 — Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital (Saint Petersburg)

• Rating: Not publicly stated
• Years of Experience: Not publicly stated
• Services Offered: Pediatric and family-centered support services; bereavement-related resources may be available for families (availability varies / depends)
• Price Range: Not publicly stated
• Contact Phone: Not publicly stated
• Contact Email (if available): Not publicly stated
• Website (if available): https://www.hopkinsallchildrens.org/
• Google Map or ProfessNow or Yelp Link:
• Google Reviews Summary: Not publicly stated
• Best For (Budget / Emergency / Premium / Family-Friendly / etc.): Families navigating pediatric illness or loss; child- and family-focused support in a medical setting

#5 — Directions for Living (Saint Petersburg Area)

• Rating: Not publicly stated
• Years of Experience: Not publicly stated
• Services Offered: Counseling and support services (programs may include grief and loss support depending on clinician/program scope), community-based mental health services (varies / depends)
• Price Range: Not publicly stated (often varies by program eligibility, insurance, or funding; varies / depends)
• Contact Phone: Not publicly stated
• Contact Email (if available): Not publicly stated
• Website (if available): https://directionsforliving.org/
• Google Map or ProfessNow or Yelp Link:
• Google Reviews Summary: Not publicly stated
• Best For (Budget / Emergency / Premium / Family-Friendly / etc.): Community-based support; clients looking for a nonprofit setting (availability varies)

Comparison Table

Cost of Hiring a Grief Counselor in Saint Petersburg

For private, individual grief counseling, many clients in Saint Petersburg will see self-pay session fees commonly fall in the $120–$220 range for a standard 45–60 minute appointment (varies / depends). Some practices offer sliding-scale rates, while others focus on insurance reimbursement.

For group grief support, costs are often lower than individual therapy, and some community or hospice programs may be offered at low cost or no cost for eligible participants (availability and eligibility vary).

Emergency pricing: true “24/7 grief counseling” is not consistently offered like emergency medical care. After-hours crisis response, if available, may route through hospital systems or crisis services rather than a scheduled grief counselor session. If you’re seeking urgent support, ask the provider what after-hours options exist (not publicly stated for many organizations).

What affects the cost most:

• Licensure level and specialization (LMHC/LCSW/psychologist vs. coach/support facilitator)
• Session length (45, 50, 60, or 90 minutes)
• Format (individual, family, couples, group)
• Insurance acceptance (in-network, out-of-network, self-pay)
• Clinical complexity (trauma, suicidality, complicated grief, co-occurring disorders)
• Setting (private practice vs. nonprofit vs. hospital/hospice program)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How much does a Grief Counselor cost in Saint Petersburg?

Many private therapy sessions commonly range around $120–$220 per session (varies / depends). Group programs and hospice bereavement services may be lower cost or sometimes no cost for eligible participants.

How to choose the best Grief Counselor in Saint Petersburg?

Start by confirming Florida licensure (LMHC/LCSW/LMFT/psychologist) and asking directly about experience with bereavement, complicated grief, and trauma. Then compare fit: session style, availability, insurance, and whether you prefer individual or group support.

Are licenses required in Saint Petersburg?

If you want clinical counseling/therapy, the provider should hold a Florida license (LMHC, LCSW, LMFT, psychologist, etc.). The term “grief counselor” alone is not always a regulated title, so it’s important to verify credentials.

What’s the difference between grief counseling and grief coaching?

Grief counseling/therapy is typically provided by a licensed clinician and can treat mental health symptoms. Coaching may focus on goals and support but may not be licensed to diagnose or treat clinical conditions—ask about training, scope, and referral options.

Who offers 24/7 service in Saint Petersburg?

Not publicly stated for grief counseling specifically. Hospitals and hospice organizations may have 24/7 clinical lines for active patients/families, but that is not the same as on-demand therapy sessions. Ask each provider what after-hours support exists.

Can I use insurance for grief counseling in Saint Petersburg?

Sometimes. Coverage depends on the provider’s credentialing and whether grief is billed under an insurable mental health diagnosis (varies / depends). Ask for in-network status, superbills (for out-of-network), and expected copays.

Is grief counseling only for death-related loss?

No. Many people seek grief counseling for divorce, infertility/miscarriage, estrangement, job loss, health diagnoses, or traumatic events. The right provider will clarify whether they treat your type of loss.

How long does grief counseling usually last?

Some people benefit from 6–12 sessions, while others need longer support, especially after traumatic loss or when grief overlaps with anxiety/depression. A good counselor will set goals and review progress regularly.

Are grief support groups effective in Saint Petersburg?

They can be, especially if you want shared understanding and practical coping strategies. Groups work best when you’re comfortable hearing others’ stories and when the group is facilitated by a trained leader (varies by program).

What should I ask on the first call with a grief counselor?

Ask about: licensure, grief-specific experience, approach (CBT, trauma-informed, meaning-centered, etc.), session frequency, fees/insurance, and what support is available between sessions (if any).

Final Recommendation

If your grief is connected to end-of-life care or hospice services, start with Empath Health (Suncoast Hospice Bereavement Services) or VITAS Healthcare—these programs are designed around bereavement support and often have structured resources (eligibility and scope vary).

If you want grief counseling inside a larger medical/behavioral health system, BayCare Behavioral Health may be a better fit for coordinated care and referrals, especially when grief overlaps with depression or anxiety.

If your needs involve children or family medical situations, consider Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital for family-centered support resources (availability varies).

If you’re looking for a community-based, nonprofit setting, Directions for Living may be worth contacting to ask what grief and loss support is currently available and how eligibility works.

Get Your Business Listed

If you’re a Grief Counselor serving Saint Petersburg and want your details added or corrected in this guide, email contact@professnow.com. You can also registe & Update yourself at https://professnow.com/.