Susanna Gilbertson, MSW, PCC

expert

Location

Philadelphia, PA 19143

Areas of Speciality

Grief & Hard Stuff

Credentials & Qualifications

San Francisco State University, Masters of Social Work
Haverford University, BA
Professional Certified Coach, International Coaching Federation
Mother Loss Certified Provider (trained by Claire Bidwell Smith & Hope Edelman)
Certified Grief to Gratitude Coach, Institute of Professional Grief Coaching

Nearest available session

November 5, 2026 - 08:00 AM - 09:00 AM

Times shown in America/New_York

Private 1:1 Sessions

Work with Susanna

Celebrating Amidst Loss: First Holidays Without Parents

$99.00

Create meaningful rituals, prepare for tender conversations, and build a gentle two-week plan for navigating the first holiday season after losing a parent.

60 minutes View Session

Mothering Without Your Mother

$145.00

Explore meaningful ways to honor your mother, care for yourself through grief, and navigate motherhood with support, steadiness, and compassion.

60 minutes View Session

Good Grief

$99.00

Create steadying practices, personal rituals, and supportive language to honor your loss, protect your energy, and move through daily life with greater gentleness.

60 minutes View Session

How to Support Someone Who’s Grieving

$115.00

Learn what to say, what to avoid, and how to offer thoughtful, practical support to a grieving friend, family member, or colleague.

45 minutes View Session

Susanna Gilbertson, MSW

Grief Expert and Coach

A session with me is like…
A gentle landing place to explore your grief, learn strategies for grief-tending, and receive non-judgmental support.

One life experience that helps me relate to my clients is…
My mother died a year before my daughter was born. I navigated becoming a new mom without my mother, and I understand how bittersweet important life events can be without your person (whoever that might be!).

Three things I want clients to feel post-session are…
Supported, heard and empowered.

Past experience that qualifies me for this role is…
20+ years as a social worker supporting women

I'm a master's-level social worker, certified grief and leadership coach, professor, and facilitator with over two decades of experience supporting individuals and organizations as they navigate trauma, grief, and leadership challenges. In my grief work, I specialize in supporting women who have experienced mother loss.

I've provided over 1,000 hours of coaching, helping clients across sectors increase resilience, manage complex workplace dynamics, and cultivate emotional well-being. I also teach social work at Rutgers University and Civic Engagement & Participatory Methods in the Urban Strategy program at Drexel University.