Loss and Grief

Counselling can be a powerful way of coming to terms with loss. Whether it is the death of a loved one, redundancy or moving home, bereavement counselling can help you through the grieving process, by helping you to deal with painful and confusing emotions, accept loss, make the relevant adjustments and develop productive and individualized coping mechanisms. Bereavement counselling can offer you a space to explore your feelings in a confidential and safe environment and can support you, either on a short or long-term basis, through this difficult time.

Understanding the Stages of Grieving Following a Bereavement

There are recognised stages of grieving which we all go through when dealing with bereavement. However, as we all manage grief symptoms differently. You may experience some or all grief stages as you go through the bereavement process.
The initial response to bereavement is often one or shock or disbelief even if the loss is expected. Sometimes denial can follow if it is feels very difficult to accept the reality of the loss. Many people will feel anger over their loss, which may feel unjust, untimely and unfair. 

Guilt can be experienced as many people reflect and imagine, maybe there was something they could have done, or done better that might have changed things. Feelings of fear, sadness and loneliness which are normal responses may develop into depression as it becomes difficult to ease the pain of the loss.

Then symptom, such as sleeplessness, low mood, irritability, loss of motivation, social withdrawal, changes in appetite and physical pains may occur. In the final stages of bereavement we reach the position of acceptance. This is when we have come to a point where we are able to accept what has happened, the pain of the loss is manageable and we feel able to continue moving forward with our life.

Reach out now for help