A Talk in the Woods Counseling - Pet Loss Grief Counselor - Nationwide

5 out of 5

(32 reviews)

Verified Member since Apr 2023 Verified checkmark

I am a certified Pet Loss Bereavement Specialist who has counseled hundreds of people after the devastating loss of a pet, or as they say, their best friend. I practice Dr. Alan Wolfelt's Companioning model and I also utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy tools and techniques. Coupled with compassionate support, I provide real, tangible coping strategies to help you move forward in your grieving journey.

I hold a Master's Degree in Counseling Psychology from City University and am a certified grief counselor through the American Institute of Health Care Professionals. I obtained a Pet Loss Bereavement Specialist certification through The Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement.

In 2006 I developed and implemented a Pet Loss Support Group sponsored by the Seattle Animal Shelter which I continue to facilitate. I also volunteer as a Chat Room Host for PetLoss Partners.

I offer sessions via Zoom or telephone. You don't have to travel this journey alone.

  • Certified
  • Online Sessions

Pricing Packages

Pet Loss Grief Counseling Session
$ 65.00 Per 60 minutes book

Student/Senior Discounted Session
$ 50.00 Per 60 minutes book

How do you serve precious pets?

  • Pet Loss Grief Counselor
  • Pet Bereavement
  • Pet Loss Support

What part of the animal kingdom do you serve?

  • Alpacas
  • Birds
  • Cats
  • Chickens
  • Chinchillas
  • Dogs
  • Ducks
  • Ferrets
  • Fish
  • Frogs
  • Gerbils
  • Goats
  • Guinea Pigs
  • Hamsters
  • Hedgehogs
  • Horses
  • Lizards
  • Mice
  • Parrots
  • Rabbits
  • Rats
  • Snakes
  • Turtles

How do you help pet parents honor the lives of their pets and cope with difficult loss?

  • Pet Loss Grief Counseling

Pet Certifications

  • American Academy of Grief Counseling Certification
  • Certified Pet Loss Professional (CPLP)

Cat-astrophes happen! What is your cancellation policy?

PetWorks Cancellation Policy Pet Care Professional's Own Policy If a pet care professional has published their own cancellation or refund policy, that policy governs the refund of the service amount only. Any PetWorks fees, including the Care Coverage Fee and Pet Care Professional Cancellation Fee, are governed by this PetWorks Cancellation Policy and not by the pet care professional's policy. Pet Parent Cancels If the pet care professional has not published their own cancellation policy, the service amount is refundable only if the pet parent cancels at least 72 hours before the scheduled start time of the booking. Cancellations within 72 hours of the scheduled start time are non-refundable for the service amount. The Care Coverage Fee is non-refundable when a pet parent cancels, regardless of timing and regardless of whether the pet care professional has their own cancellation policy. Pet Parent No-Show If a pet parent does not show up for a confirmed booking, no refund will be issued for the service amount or the Care Coverage Fee. Pet Care Professional Cancels If a pet care professional cancels a confirmed booking, the pet parent receives a 100% refund of everything they paid, including the Care Coverage Fee. The pet care professional receives no payment for the canceled service and is charged a Pet Care Professional Cancellation Fee equal to 10% of the service amount, up to a maximum of $150. PetWorks may collect this fee by deducting it from a future payout through PetWorks or by other means if no future payout is available. Policy in Effect at Booking The cancellation rules that apply to a booking, including any pet care professional cancellation policy on file and the Pet Care Professional Cancellation Fee rate, are those that were in effect when the booking was confirmed.

Which part of the country do you serve pets?

Nationwide

What year did you begin serving pets?

2006
BASED IN Cle Elum, WA

Distinction

Pw bees knees circle Pw without hitch Pw eager beaver circle American Academy of Grief Counseling Certification Certified Pet Loss Professional (CPLP) Petworks Best of 2023 Petworks Best of 2024 Petworks Best of 2025

Customer Reviews

Connie was a wonderful, grounded presence and true professional. She held space for me, was calm and inviting, and I felt seen. She also gave me great resources for support group. I would absolutely recommend her and will set up another session with her.

- Rachel Rose F

Connie is a sweet soul. She really helped me with beginning to process this grief. I felt supported and genuinely cared for. Most importantly, I didn’t feel alone. She understood a lot of my feelings and validated them. There were some ‘truths’ I hadn't considered in dealing with guilt that she helped me work through. I’m very appreciative of her and will be seeing her again soon. Connie, thank you for listening to Jozi’s story and connecting with me.

- Evelyn T

Connie is wonderful. I look forward to chatting more in the future.

- Siobhan R

Thank you. Willing to give out more work

- Lisa R

She was wonderful. Very kind and full of great information that is helping my process.

- Jhousy L

Very thankful for Connie being there for me in the most difficult time of my life! She is a great listener and understands pet loss very well.

- Karen R

Connie is wonderful and caring and provided a comforting space to express my grief. She also provided resources to help me through this grief journey. Thank you, Connie.

- Allie B

The conversation was good. She gave me space to express my feelings and offered feedback. She helped me to know that everything im feeling is normal and in time I will be fine. Connie offered me some reading materials and small projects to help me work on my own.
Im very grateful for Connie.
Thank you.

- Alta S

Connie was incredibly compassionate and shared some very helpful resources.

- Kathryn Y
Pet Pro's Response:

Thank you for the feedback, Kathryn. Give Deeks a smooch for me.

- Connie Starr

She’s wonderful.
Gave me some great resources.

- Sandra D

How do you serve precious pets?

  • Pet Loss Grief Counselor
  • Pet Bereavement
  • Pet Loss Support

What part of the animal kingdom do you serve?

  • Alpacas
  • Birds
  • Cats
  • Chickens
  • Chinchillas
  • Dogs
  • Ducks
  • Ferrets
  • Fish
  • Frogs
  • Gerbils
  • Goats
  • Guinea Pigs
  • Hamsters
  • Hedgehogs
  • Horses
  • Lizards
  • Mice
  • Parrots
  • Rabbits
  • Rats
  • Snakes
  • Turtles

How do you help pet parents honor the lives of their pets and cope with difficult loss?

  • Pet Loss Grief Counseling

Pet Certifications

  • American Academy of Grief Counseling Certification
  • Certified Pet Loss Professional (CPLP)

Cat-astrophes happen! What is your cancellation policy?

PetWorks Cancellation Policy Pet Care Professional's Own Policy If a pet care professional has published their own cancellation or refund policy, that policy governs the refund of the service amount only. Any PetWorks fees, including the Care Coverage Fee and Pet Care Professional Cancellation Fee, are governed by this PetWorks Cancellation Policy and not by the pet care professional's policy. Pet Parent Cancels If the pet care professional has not published their own cancellation policy, the service amount is refundable only if the pet parent cancels at least 72 hours before the scheduled start time of the booking. Cancellations within 72 hours of the scheduled start time are non-refundable for the service amount. The Care Coverage Fee is non-refundable when a pet parent cancels, regardless of timing and regardless of whether the pet care professional has their own cancellation policy. Pet Parent No-Show If a pet parent does not show up for a confirmed booking, no refund will be issued for the service amount or the Care Coverage Fee. Pet Care Professional Cancels If a pet care professional cancels a confirmed booking, the pet parent receives a 100% refund of everything they paid, including the Care Coverage Fee. The pet care professional receives no payment for the canceled service and is charged a Pet Care Professional Cancellation Fee equal to 10% of the service amount, up to a maximum of $150. PetWorks may collect this fee by deducting it from a future payout through PetWorks or by other means if no future payout is available. Policy in Effect at Booking The cancellation rules that apply to a booking, including any pet care professional cancellation policy on file and the Pet Care Professional Cancellation Fee rate, are those that were in effect when the booking was confirmed.

Which part of the country do you serve pets?

Nationwide

What year did you begin serving pets?

2006

Customer Reviews

Connie was a wonderful, grounded presence and true professional. She held space for me, was calm and inviting, and I felt seen. She also gave me great resources for support group. I would absolutely recommend her and will set up another session with her.

- Rachel Rose F

Connie is a sweet soul. She really helped me with beginning to process this grief. I felt supported and genuinely cared for. Most importantly, I didn’t feel alone. She understood a lot of my feelings and validated them. There were some ‘truths’ I hadn't considered in dealing with guilt that she helped me work through. I’m very appreciative of her and will be seeing her again soon. Connie, thank you for listening to Jozi’s story and connecting with me.

- Evelyn T

Connie is wonderful. I look forward to chatting more in the future.

- Siobhan R

Thank you. Willing to give out more work

- Lisa R

She was wonderful. Very kind and full of great information that is helping my process.

- Jhousy L

Very thankful for Connie being there for me in the most difficult time of my life! She is a great listener and understands pet loss very well.

- Karen R

Connie is wonderful and caring and provided a comforting space to express my grief. She also provided resources to help me through this grief journey. Thank you, Connie.

- Allie B

The conversation was good. She gave me space to express my feelings and offered feedback. She helped me to know that everything im feeling is normal and in time I will be fine. Connie offered me some reading materials and small projects to help me work on my own.
Im very grateful for Connie.
Thank you.

- Alta S

Connie was incredibly compassionate and shared some very helpful resources.

- Kathryn Y
Pet Pro Response:

Thank you for the feedback, Kathryn. Give Deeks a smooch for me.

- Connie Starr

She’s wonderful.
Gave me some great resources.

- Sandra D

💙 You don't have to carry this alone.


The loss of a pet can stop your world. The house feels quieter. You reach for them out of habit and they're not there. Grief like this is real — and it deserves real support.


Connie Starr provides compassionate, one-on-one pet loss grief counseling to help you process grief, navigate difficult emotions, and find peace after losing a pet you loved. Whether your loss is recent or happened years ago, Connie offers a safe, judgment-free space to share memories, work through feelings of sadness, guilt, or anger, and develop coping strategies tailored to your unique situation.


Sessions are conducted online, so you can reach out from anywhere — whenever you're ready. Based in Cle Elum, WA, Connie Starr serves pet parents nationwide, and also works with clients in Roslyn, Ellensburg, South Cle Elum, Kittitas, Ronald, Easton, Thorp, Snoqualmie Pass, Tieton, Naches and throughout Kittitas County.


🦔 How do I book a session with Connie Starr?


Booking is simple and handled entirely through PetWorks. Visit Connie's profile, review credentials and client feedback, and use 'Book Now' or 'Get Custom Quote' or 'Send Message' to initiate a conversation and request a booking with Connie . You'll only pay when you book, and payment is handled securely — Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Affirm, Link, or Klarna. Care Coverage at checkout gives you access to PetWorks' live Concierge team, full refunds if a booking is canceled through no fault of yours, and help resolving any booking issues — so the only thing you need to focus on is your healing.


What is PetWorks Care Coverage?


PetWorks Care Coverage is our satisfaction guarantee. If something isn't right with your session, we'll work to make it right — so you can focus on healing, not logistics.


💛 If you’re here, it likely means you’re carrying the weight of a loss that feels deeply personal and difficult to put into words. Grieving a pet is never simple, and there’s no “right” way to move through it—only your way, at your own pace. Working with a pet loss grief counselor can offer a steady, compassionate space to process what you’re feeling, honor the bond you shared, and begin finding moments of peace again. When you feel ready, support is here to meet you where you are, without judgment, pressure, or expectation—just understanding and care as you navigate this journey.