Counselling for Bereavement, Grief & Loss
For many people, talking to friends or family is the support they need when they're grieving, but you might not have friends or family you can talk to. You may be struggling to cope with your day-to-day life in the way that you did before and you are seeking help.
I offer face to face bereavement counselling, also called grief counselling, in Ipswich to adult individuals and couples who may be feeling vulnerable and would like to explore their thoughts, feelings, emotions and behaviour.
By utilising a variety of therapeutic approaches, I can help you to talk about your life and anything that may be confusing, painful or uncomfortable; all within a safe and confidential place.
What Is Grief?
Grief is a natural response to losing someone important to you. There's no right or wrong way to grieve and it feels different for everyone. Grieving can be very distressing and can come with some powerful emotions. But grief itself is not an illness. It cannot be fixed, or cured, or made to go away. Over time the grief and pain you feel will usually become less strong. Most people find that they can adapt to a life without the person who has died. But there is no timescale for how long this will take because it is different for everyone.
When you are grieving it is very important to be kind to yourself – and do what feels right for you. You may feel that the experience of grief changes you – but most people find that, in time, they are able to enjoy life again.
You may go into shock or feel numb. You may feel disbelief and think that what's happened is not real. You may feel relief at first if the person had been in pain or if caring for them had become difficult. You might even try to carry on as though nothing has happened. Or you may feel angry or in despair.
How you might feel while you are grieving
Grief is not just one feeling. It's often many emotions that follow on from one another but not in any order.
You may feel:
- shocked or numb
- sad
- anxious or agitated
- exhausted
- relieved
- guilty
- angry
- calm
- lacking in purpose
- resentful
You may not feel some of these things. Or your grief could mean you feel something else that is not on this list.
You may find that your mood changes quickly, or that you feel very differently in different situations and at different times. People who have been bereaved often say they feel 'up and down', or 'all over the place’ or they have a 'roller coaster' of emotions.
You might find that you swing between feeling OK one minute and upset the next. And that these feelings come in waves or bursts when you're not expecting it, which can leave you feeling worried, embarrassed or afraid.
You might also find that it's hard to concentrate on things that you normally find easy.
But remember that we all react differently when someone we care about dies. There's no right or wrong way to feel and no timetable to guide us through grief.
How long does grief last?
Often people ask how long will their grief last. But no one can answer this for you because it is different for everyone and different each time we experience bereavement.
Whatever you are feeling, it's important to try to be kind to yourself. Give yourself time to process your feelings of grief.
You may have different feelings of grief that come and go over months or years. Gradually, most people find that these feelings of grief are not there all the time and they can cope better. Then there may be times when feelings of loss come back more strongly. Anniversaries, birthdays or going to a place that was special, may be the reason for this. But you may also just not know why you are having strong feelings of grief and loss again.
Most people say that over time, their grief becomes less intense, and they adapt to living a life without the person physically in it. But that does not mean that their grief ends or it goes away completely.
How I can help you with Bereavement, Grief & Loss
By utilising a variety of therapeutic approaches, I can help you to talk about your life and anything that may be confusing, painful or uncomfortable; all within a safe and confidential place.
I can help you to explore your feelings, thoughts, and emotions. I can also help you with negative and intrusive thoughts, feelings of distress, anger, and the many responses.
I offer face to face counselling sessions in Ipswich, Suffolk, on a regular basis; short term or long term, and online counselling via video call.
How long will it take to see results?
It normally takes a few sessions for you to become aware of changes and improvements in your life. Everybody is different and will have different goals depending on their situation. We generally recommend booking a block of six sessions with a review during the fourth, before deciding on any further help.
How often can we meet?
You can decide how often you meet. Generally, individuals will meet on a weekly or fortnightly basis for the first few sessions, and then once a month as you start to feeling more able to cope.
What are your prices?
My prices are outlined here
