Bereavement, Loss & Grief

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Alongside supporting people with anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, confidence, and relationship difficulties, I have also worked with people experiencing bereavement, grief, and loss.

Loss touches all of our lives in different ways. The death of a loved one can be one of the deepest losses we experience, but grief can also come from many other life changes such as relationship breakdowns, divorce, changes in employment, retirement, children leaving home, or transitions through different stages of life.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, many people also experienced a deep sense of loss through reduced freedom, isolation, and disconnection from others.

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What Is Grief?

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Grief is a natural response to the loss of someone or something important to us, and every person experiences it differently.

It can feel confusing, overwhelming, lonely, and at times emotionally conflicting. Grief may bring feelings of sadness, anger, guilt, resentment, numbness, or shock. Many people also experience physical symptoms such as exhaustion, difficulty concentrating, or feeling disconnected from themselves and others.

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Loss can affect many areas of our lives, including our relationships, confidence, identity, sense of purpose, and hopes for the future.

When loss turns life upside down, it is common to feel unsure of how to cope or whether you are grieving “the right way.” There is no correct way to grieve — only your way, at your own pace.

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How Can Counselling Help?

 

Counselling offers a safe, caring, and confidential space where you can talk openly about your thoughts, feelings, and experiences without judgement.

Talking can help you process emotions, make sense of what you are going through, and reduce feelings of overwhelm and isolation.

My aim is to support you as you adjust to life after loss, helping you to better understand your grief while finding ways to cope and move forward at a pace that feels manageable for you.

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Trauma-Informed Counselling & Childhood Trauma

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Sometimes the difficulties we experience in adult life can be connected to painful or difficult experiences from childhood.

Childhood trauma can affect the way we see ourselves, our relationships, emotions, and sense of safety in the world. Experiences such as neglect, criticism, loss, emotional invalidation, difficult family relationships, abuse, or growing up without feeling fully seen, heard, or emotionally secure can continue to affect us long into adulthood.

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Often people are unaware of how strongly these early experiences may still be influencing their lives. Feelings of anxiety, low self-worth, people pleasing, emotional overwhelm, difficulties in relationships, fear of rejection, or feeling “not good enough” can sometimes have deeper roots.

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A Gentle and Supportive Approach

 

As a trauma-informed counsellor, I understand the importance of feeling emotionally safe, respected, and never pressured within therapy.

There is no expectation for you to talk about anything before you feel ready. Sessions move at a pace that feels comfortable for you, with care and sensitivity towards your experiences.

Together we can gently explore patterns, emotions, beliefs, and coping strategies that may have developed over time, helping you gain greater self-understanding, self-compassion, and emotional awareness.

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Moving Towards Healing

 

Healing does not mean forgetting the past. Often it begins with understanding yourself more deeply, recognising how your experiences may have affected you, and learning to respond to yourself with greater kindness and acceptance.

Counselling can help you feel more connected to yourself, more emotionally secure, and better able to move forward in a way that feels healthier and more fulfilling for you.