Healing Hearts Pet Loss Grief Counseling - Needham Heights, MA

Verified Member since Dec 2025 Verified checkmark

I'm Susan Kates, a dedicated pet loss bereavement clinician with a passion for supporting pet parents through the heart-wrenching journey of losing their cherished animal companions. As a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) and a proud member of the Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement (APLB), I blend my expertise with compassion to provide personalized support for you and your beloved pet. I specialize in offering empathetic guidance tailored to your unique circumstances, ensuring a nurturing environment where healing and growth can flourish.

With over two decades of experience, I've been a trusted ally to pet parents, offering a safe haven to express and process emotions. I'm particularly excited about the upcoming launch of my grief pet loss support groups, where you'll discover solace and understanding amongst others who have shared similar experiences. Whether you're seeking individual support or the camaraderie of a group setting, my flexible approach is designed to accommodate your needs, ensuring you find the ideal path to healing.

I offer both online consultations and mobile support, bringing my services directly to you, wherever you're most comfortable. My practice extends to a wide range of animal companions, including birds, cats, dogs, goats, guinea pigs, hamsters, hedgehogs, horses, parrots, rabbits, and turtles. With a flexible cancellation policy, I prioritize your convenience and peace of mind as we work together. Ready to take the first step towards healing? Book me through Petworks today, and let’s embark on this journey together.

  • Certified

How do you serve precious pets?

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

What part of the animal kingdom do you serve?

  • Birds
  • Cats
  • Dogs
  • Goats
  • Guinea Pigs
  • Hamsters
  • Hedgehogs
  • Horses
  • Parrots
  • Rabbits
  • Turtles

Pet Certifications

  • Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement (APLB)

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?

Anywhere in the United States via remote consultations on Petworks, and locally including Norfolk County, Boston, Cambridge, Somerville, Newton, Brookline, Quincy, Waltham, Medford, Everett, Malden, Framingham Massachusetts
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susan kates

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BASED IN: Needham Heights, MA
SERVICE AREA: Within 25 miles, including Anywhere in the United States via remote consultations on Petworks, and locally including Norfolk County, Boston, Cambridge, Somerville, Newton, Brookline, Quincy, Waltham, Medford, Everett, Malden, Framingham Massachusetts

Distinction

Pw ducks row Scheduling enabled badge Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement (APLB) Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

How do you serve precious pets?

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

What part of the animal kingdom do you serve?

  • Birds
  • Cats
  • Dogs
  • Goats
  • Guinea Pigs
  • Hamsters
  • Hedgehogs
  • Horses
  • Parrots
  • Rabbits
  • Turtles

Pet Certifications

  • Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement (APLB)

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?

Anywhere in the United States via remote consultations on Petworks, and locally including Norfolk County, Boston, Cambridge, Somerville, Newton, Brookline, Quincy, Waltham, Medford, Everett, Malden, Framingham Massachusetts

💙 There are moments in the grief process when what you need most is simply to be heard by someone who truly understands — someone who knows that the loss of a pet is not a small thing, that the silence in the home is real, and that what you are carrying deserves the same compassion and attention as any profound loss. That is what Susan offers.


What Susan Can Help You With


Pet loss grief arrives differently for everyone — and Susan works with each client according to where they are in their own process, without a fixed agenda or a predetermined timeline. Sessions with Susan typically address processing the immediate emotional aftermath of losing a pet, navigating anticipatory grief for those preparing to say goodbye to an aging or seriously ill companion, working through guilt and doubt around end-of-life decisions including euthanasia, finding meaningful and personal ways to honor your pet's memory, adjusting to a daily routine that has been fundamentally altered by their absence, and helping other family members — including children and surviving pets — move through the loss in their own way. If you are not sure exactly what you need, that is completely normal. Susan's first session is designed to help you find that out together.


Why Book With Susan


Choosing the right person to help you through pet loss is a deeply personal decision — and the most important thing is finding someone whose presence feels safe and whose approach feels right for you. Susan brings verified credentials, real client experience, and a genuine understanding of the human-animal bond to every session. Because sessions are conducted virtually, there is no commute, no waiting room, and no need to hold yourself together in a clinical setting — you can show up exactly as you are, from the place where you feel closest to your pet's memory. Susan serves clients throughout Massachusetts and is available to anyone nationwide through PetWorks.


🦔 How Booking a Session With Susan Works


Booking is simple and handled entirely through PetWorks. Visit Susan's profile, review credentials and client feedback, and use Book Now or Get Custom Quote to initiate a conversation and request a booking with Susan . 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.


Serving clients in Needham Heights, Massachusetts and throughout Norfolk County, including Boston, Cambridge, Quincy, Newton, Brookline, Waltham, Somerville, Framingham, Medford, Weymouth — and available nationwide through virtual sessions on PetWorks.

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