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How counselling can help with the grief of loss

Grief isn’t only about losing someone we love through death — though that is often the most recognised form of loss. We can also grieve for many other changes and endings in our lives, and the life we thought we'd have, such as:


  • The end of a relationship or friendship
  • The loss of health, mobility or independence
  • Infertility, miscarriage or the loss of hoped-for parenthood
  • Changes in identity or life roles (for example, through retirement or becoming a carer)
  • The loss of a home, job or financial security
  • Estrangement, family conflict or loss of connection
  • The loss of faith, certainty or a sense of purpose


Each experience can bring its own kind of pain, confusion and emotional upheaval, and we feel unsure of how to move forward. 


Bereavement, especially after a sudden or traumatic death, can shake the very foundations of our world. Alongside the pain of grief, there can be symptoms of trauma — flashbacks, intrusive images, guilt, fear, or feeling emotionally numb or disconnected. These reactions are natural responses to overwhelming events, but they can be frightening and isolating to experience.


As an integrative counsellor, I recognise that every grief story and journey is unique. My approach brings together different therapeutic perspectives to meet you where you are — emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. Together, we can explore the complex emotions of grief, the impact of trauma on your body and mind, and ways to find stability and self-compassion as you navigate this painful process.


Counselling offers a gentle, supportive space to talk about your loss openly — to honour your pain, your memories, and your continuing connection with the person or part of life you’ve lost. It can also help you understand and manage trauma responses, make sense of your emotions, and rebuild meaning, hope, and connection at your own pace.


Whether you are grieving a bereavement or another kind of loss, counselling can help you find your footing again — not by forgetting, but by learning to live alongside your grief with greater understanding and compassion for yourself.


"Acceptance is not about liking a situation. It is about acknowledging all that has been lost and learning to live with that loss" — Elizabeth Kubler-Ross & David Kessler from 'On Grief and Grieving'

Supported by grief counselling, image shows a man on a twisted path in dense forest, walking towards the light at the end
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