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What is Parasocial Grief? 

Dawn Davis, MA, LMFT, LCMFT, CGT

February 16, 2026

Question

What is parasocial grief? 

Answer

Parasocial grief refers to the intense feelings of heartbreak and depression that individuals experience after the loss of a public figure with whom they had a parasocial relationship. This type of grief can feel as profound as, or even more significant than, the loss of a personal or social relationship. People often describe celebrities as friends, family members, or sources of support, and their deaths can evoke strong emotional responses. Examples include fans mourning David Bowie as a best friend or Michael Jackson as a support during difficult times.

 

This Ask the Expert is an edited excerpt from the course, ‘Understanding the Clinical Impact Parasocial Grief,’ presented by Dawn Davis, MA LMFT, LCMFT, CGT.


dawn davis

Dawn Davis, MA, LMFT, LCMFT, CGT

Dawn Davis is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and AAMFT Approved Supervisor in
Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland, and Texas. Dawn has worked in community mental health since 2017 and has been in a supervisory position since 2020. Her supervisory experience includes supervising several clinicians at student-intern and master’s level and non-clinical providers, including certified peer specialists, nurse navigators, and behavioral health nurses.

In 2020, Dawn opened her private practice, Therapy That Gets Me, LLC, where she serves as a full-time clinician and supervisor. In addition, Dawn is a Certified Geek Therapist with special training in applying geek concepts to the therapeutic process. Dawn also provides training through Geek Therapeutics, RISE Supervisor Directory, and Colibri Group.


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