Therapy's helped me threefold. First, it gives me a safe, ample space to figure out the exact dimensions of the loss. Second it gives me the caring presence of my therapist to nurture me which eases the pain of the void. Third it gives me tools as needed to work through obstacles on the way to filling the void.

I will say much of the work is beyond therapy- I've worked many years on self-mothering and that's been a huge component of my process.

Also, I want to add- losses can't just be completely replaced. If a husband dies, for example, not even a new husband will replace the first of course! So it is with things we're missing from childhood- what I find works is understanding that it's okay to simply be sad (or have whatever feelings/experiences we do) about that, but that with work, we can keep the loss in perspective and have a full life but not actually erase pains caused by the past, just let them gently scar over and heal.