Terri Waibel

Terri Waibel, MSW, LCSW, FT

Clinical Director | Psychotherapist | Grief Counselor

she/her

*** NOT ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS *** 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 at a young age. However, my life was suddenly and irrevocably changed when my daughter, Kyndrid died in 2012.

Practice & Credentials

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 of Death Education and Counseling, and an Advanced Certified provider of Compassionate Bereavement Care®. She has been working and volunteering in the field of social work for over 15 years. As the founder and clinical director of Center for Compassion, PLLC she specializes in providing therapeutic support to those enduring traumatic grief after a sudden, unexpected, or out of order death of a beloved family member. Terri was selected by her peers as the 2023 Social Worker of the year by the National Association of Social Workers, Arizona Chapter in recognition of her tireless efforts to create a more compassionate world for grievers. Her community recognition additionally includes being a 2021 finalist for the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, Health Care Hero Awards in the Mental Health Advocate category and being honored with the prestigious Athena Young Professional award with the Greater Phoenix Chamber in 2018. Her dedication to civic engagement and volunteerism extends to several community organizations as she is a long time volunteer with the MISS Foundation serving bereaved parents and families, Selah Carefarm as an Emotional Wellness Advisor, and ASU School of Social work as a Community Advisory Board Member. Terri has also taught advanced direct psychotherapy practice courses in the Graduate School of Social Work at Arizona State University. As a part of her service to the field of social work, she volunteers her time as a field supervisor to countless students and new therapists in the field of social work and psychotherapy.