It's not surprising how little widows know about therapy.  Some seem to assume that it's for widows that are totally unbalanced.  Others have bravely gone for help, had a terrible experience, and have given up on therapy altogether. If you're in either category, you may want to reconsider because good psychotherapy is one of the best things you can do. Therapy is most effective for basically healthy widows who have been hurt in the heart.  The truth is time only heals those wounds that are shared and understood. There are literally thousands of diagnostic tests you could take to determine whether therapy might be useful to you.  But when it comes right down to it, you only have two questions to answer to know whether counseling could improve your life.

1.  Do I always or almost always feel joy of living?
2.  Do I have at least one loving, open and honest relationship with another person?

If the answer to both is "yes", you don't really need psychotherapy.  If the answers are "no",  then you are suffering alone and you deserve what good therapy can give you. A good therapist will give you a sense of validation and they are trained to help you.  So, if the first therapist wasn't a fit for you, then don't give up because there a lots of them out there.