Work With Claire Bidwell Smith

Led by her own experiences with grief, and fueled by her work in hospice and in private practice, Claire strives to provide support for all kinds of people experiencing all kinds of grief. She offers one-on-one direct support sessions via zoom or telephone, online courses, a weekly grief support community, downloadable grief meditations, and a grief and anxiety workbook.

If you have reached this page in a time of extreme duress or crisis please do not wait for me to return your message. Rather you should go immediately the emergency room or the nearest hospital.

One-on-One SessionsSupport Groups
Grief RetreatsUpcoming Events

“After a long and fruitless search for a therapist, I feel incredibly lucky to have found Claire. She creates a comfortable environment in which even the toughest sessions feel both rewarding and constructive. More than that, she is a smart, empathetic, and kind presence who has helped me tremendously. I could not recommend Claire more highly.”

— Brian, Los Angeles

“Living overseas and away from my support network makes grief work even more isolating. Fortunately with Claire’s help, I now feel connected to a sisterhood and ‘heard’ with regards to my grief. She is a warm and intuitive counselor who not only provides comfort and encouragement but also a sense of hope that there is life beyond loss.”
— Leslie, Taipei
“Claire was really the only person that truly understood how deeply my parent’s deaths affected me. She helped me through my Dad’s sudden death this past year. And also guided me on how to grieve my Mom’s death from cancer many years ago….when I was just a little girl, only 7 years old. Claire has been a Godsend and I truly feel that she is a huge part of why I have made it through this difficult year. I have learned so much about myself through my sessions with her and she helped me feel like I wasn’t alone.”
— Krystal, Alberta, Canada
“I reached out to Claire via Instagram after researching the Motherless Daughters network. Her immediate response included warmth and compassion, which combined with her personal experience and understanding, provided me with a unique sense of security. Within just a couple of conversations, I felt I was in the right place. She helped me understand what I was going through, inside of a conversation that felt like old friends. Thanks to Claire, I will be attending a Motherless Daughters Retreat, which I may have been too hesitant to sign up for otherwise. On my own, I also explored Claire’s writing; her book “After This” spoke to curiosities I did not feel comfortable exploring previously. She is extremely inquisitive, genuine, caring, knowledgable and intuitive. I highly recommend her.”
— Jane, New York
“I cannot imagine a better grief therapist than Claire Bidwell Smith. She has the ability to wrap her deep psychology background and understanding of frameworks for dealing with grief in an intimate and soft discussion that makes the client feel incredibly well supported. Perhaps as a result of her own losses, she becomes a partner in going through the process of grief with the person experiencing deep loss, and not just a medical professional. As a result, she has significantly advanced my ability to brave the storms of grief and even to see some of the beauty that it yields as well. I am forever indebted.”
— Jaime, Los Angeles

Disclaimer: Claire Bidwell Smith does not accept insurance. All private sessions with Claire Bidwell Smith are considered ‘coaching’ (not therapy).

​Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, License No. 180007946, State of Illinois