Grief and Loss Support
Grief is something we all face at some point in life. It is all part of life’s journey and affects everyone differently. Whether it’s the loss of a pet, a close friend, or a family member, your first experience of grief can be unexpected and overwhelming. No two experiences of loss are ever the same — each one is shaped by your relationship with the person and your personal circumstances.
It’s normal to mourn, and there’s no “right” way to grieve. When someone has had a signficant loss, life will continue, and new memories and patterns will form. It does take time for the grieving process to happen, and this is normal. While most people gradually adjust and find a new sense of balance, some may struggle to move forward — if you feel like you are struggling to move forward after a loss it can be worth seeking counselling.
Common Signs of Grief
Grief can affect your mind, body, and daily life in many ways. Some common signs include:
- Difficulty sleeping
- Avoiding reminders of the person who died
- Thinking about them constantly
- Withdrawing from work or daily responsibilities
- Loss of appetite or emotional eating
- Isolating from friends or loved ones
These responses are all part of the grieving process. For some, time and support from friends or family helps them adapt and rebuild their life around the loss. Others might discover a new sense of purpose, like starting a project or charity in memory of their loved one especially if the death was unexpected.
How Can Counselling Help with Grief?
Grief can make it difficult to meet your emotional needs, such as emotional connection, meaning, security, or hope for the future. If you’re feeling stuck or overwhelmed by loss, talking to a trained therapist can help you:
- Process the emotional pain of the loss, especially if it was a traumatic or unexpected.
- Reflect on positive memories in a healthy, supported way – it is important to remember the positive memories you have of the person and to talk about and ackneoldge them. Friends and family might feel uncomfortable talking about the person who has passd away.
- Rebuild a sense of hope and future direction – finding some sort of structure to life and direction is really important to moving forward.
- Identify and meet unmet emotional needs, this may involve forming new rituals – for example, someone I spoke to said that she used to go and visit her dad every day before work. When he passed away she was trying to find a new ritual and this involved making a nice cup of fresh coffee and walking her dog.
- Move forward at your own pace
Real Support, Real Outcomes
In my years as a nurse, school nurse, school counsellor and private counsellor, I’ve supported many people through bereavement. Everyone’s journey is unique. For example, I worked with a young woman who had cared for her mother through a long illness. The situation surrounding the death was traumatic. After her mother’s death, we processed the trauma surrounding the experience, explored her cherished memories, and looked ahead to her future. She went on to exceed expectations in her exams and began living with renewed confidence and direction.
You Don’t Have to Go Through This Alone
If you or someone you know is struggling with grief, counselling could make a meaningful difference. Whether the loss is recent or something you’ve carried for a long time, you deserve space to heal.
👉 [Contact Me to Find Out More]
👉 [Learn About The Human Givens Approach to Therapy]
Useful Resource: For children and young people experiencing grief, Winston’s Wish is a wonderful charity offering support, resources, and guidance.