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MSW, LCSW, FT
Clinical Director | Psychotherapist | Grief Counselor
(she/her)
$225 per 55-minute session · $275 initial 60-minute intake
From Terri
Hello. I'm Terri Waibel. I am the Founder and Clinical Director at Center for Compassion. I come to this work with a broken open heart and a willingness to explore unanswerable questions. My approach to therapy is 'eclectic' in that I call upon many ideas and theories to be present with the unfolding path of others.
I carry a deep reverence for being present with those who are suffering as a result of grief, trauma, and loss. I have been profoundly honored to work with individuals, groups, children, and families coping with traumatic grief following the sudden death of a loved one, including the loss of a child, sibling, partner, or parent. My heart has also been touched by the many stories of trauma that have been fully entrusted to me by some of the bravest humans I've known. Bearing witness to broken hearts is truly the most meaningful work.
I have endured many losses on my own grief journey including the death of my brother, Brian at a young age. However, my life was suddenly and irrevocably changed when my daughter, Kyndrid died in 2012.
Background
Terri Waibel, MSW, LCSW, FT is a licensed psychotherapist, licensed by the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners, a Certified Fellow in Thanatology through the Association for Death Education and Counseling, a certified provider of Grief Affirming Practice®, and an Advanced Certified provider of Compassionate Bereavement Care®. She has been working and volunteering in the field of social work for over 20 years.
Terri is the founder and clinical director of Center for Compassion, a therapy practice dedicated to supporting the traumatically bereaved. Terri is also the founder of the Southwest Institute for Grief and Trauma Studies, an education body that is closing the gap in grief education for helping professionals. She developed the innovative therapy practice approach, Grief Affirming Practice®, and was selected as the 2025 Healthcare Innovator of the Year by Phoenix Business Journal, a 2025 Woman Achiever in Healthcare by the Arizona Capitol Times, and the 2023 Arizona Social Worker of the Year.
In 2025 she was also given Special Recognition of Distinguished Service to the Social Work Profession after her testimony and advocacy efforts to pass SB1036, the Social Work Compact in the state of Arizona. Terri's dedication to civic engagement and volunteerism extends to several community organizations such as the ASU School of Social Work as an internship field supervisor, a member of the Arizona Social Work Action Alliance, and a grief consultant to several local therapy practices. Terri is simultaneously honored and heartbroken to be present with grievers and proud to call herself a grief activist.
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