Dr. Lily Zehner Book a Free Consultation

Death & Dying TherapyWhat is death & dying therapy?

Our death is inevitable; it is guaranteed for us all. And there is a dying process that we go through to arrive at death — physical, emotional, mental. Although everyone's dying process will be unique to them and possibly personal, there is a process that is universal for all bodies when they're dying. Nuance is vital here though, especially if we are privileged to plan for our dying and death and it goes as hoped — the circumstances and many variables (such as race and socio-economic status) highly determine what can and cannot happen, what will or won't.

The focus of death & dying is broad and vast, and I intentionally use those words to encompass the humans who come to work with me. We are exploring the idea and meaning of death, the anxiety of death, the realities of death, whether it's here right now or not.

Imagine, you are sitting on my couch and grappling with all the ways death shows up: in your life, in someone else's life, in the collective. You talk about it here because it's the only place you can — others are afraid of it, they think it's strange or morbid. You talk about it with me because you are curious, because you need clarity, because you need to understand what dying means to you, what it might mean about others or to others in their lives.

In essence, I provide a safe space for you and others to talk about and explore all that comes with death & dying. Below are some of the specific ways it has shown up in my office:

Some of the ways this shows up in my office

Three generations of hands clasped together — an elderly hand, a child's hand, and an adult hand

You will not be alone.

I will be here with you.

What brings you in will be unique to you, but what you can expect to experience in these sessions with me is compassion, care, and curiosity. I will be sitting across from you, someone who can and will sit in the hard and messy, who can sit with your humanity and your truth.

I will hold the present and the past simultaneously. I will be rock solid as you feel untethered, I will be the grounding force for you as your world is spiraling. I will support you in navigating the complexity of relationships and family dynamics. I will be fully present with you because in this work, I can be nowhere else, except in the now. Rather than avoidance, we will work towards facing what it is you are afraid of. And most important of all, you will not be alone, I will be here with you.

Start with a free 15-minute consultation

We'll talk about what's going on and whether I'm the right fit for you. If I'm not, I'll point you toward someone who is. No pressure, no paperwork, no cost.

Book a Free Consultation