Bereavement Counselling
Leone Centre can help you with Bereavement Counselling through all the stages of grieving so that you can understand your responses when immersed in and overwhelmed with grief. Bereavement or grief is something we all experience at some point in our lives. The loss experience is universal, but the grieving process is unique for everyone.
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Life turned upside down, a planned or unplanned ending, the struggle with a new beginning, the shock of a sudden change, the impossibility of returning to how it was: every loss needs to be acknowledged, processed and integrated to move forward.
When you are experiencing grief and struggling to come to terms with loss, all other aspects of life and relationships come under intense pressure.
We offer support, including Online Counselling and work with all losses: a loved person, a treasured pet, a relationship, a home, the loss and complexities of moving countries, fertility issues, the loss of wealth or maybe ill health.
Grieving is a transitional process but can last a very long time or be delayed if emotions are suppressed or avoided due to being too painful or overwhelming, or the process might also be interrupted in some way due to practical problems or other relationships that need to be attended to in the aftermath. Bereavement and loss can be devastating, numbing, difficult, emotional and sometimes erratic or impulsive. Many turn inwards and feel isolated during grief, struggling with blame, guilt, regrets and missed opportunities.
Many experience symptoms of grief or bereavement that others can misunderstand or misinterpret. These include but are not limited to:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Phobias
- Addictions
- Isolation and Loneliness
- Angry outbursts
- Lethargy
- Lack of appetite
- Insomnia
- Hyperactivity
When attended to and working through bereavement or loss can help come to terms with existential realities like the fragility of life and the value and importance of making the most of life and relationships.
Although bereavement and grief are not positive experiences, Leone Centre bereavement counselling can help process, reframe and positively reconstruct a new narrative. At the Leone Centre, our counsellors will listen unconditionally and give all the time and attention that your loss needs.
What is Grief, and what is Bereavement?
- Bereavement and grief can manifest in different ways. Often, grief is how we describe the process of coming to terms with losing a loved one. Still, we can experience grief when we feel the emotional loss of anything, from losing a partner, pet, or friendship to a miscarriage, fertility concerns, or divorce.
- Grief is not just simple ‘sadness’ that needs to fade as soon as possible. Grief Counselling will help understand that grief is a process that needs attending to with respect, patience and attention. Leone Centre’s bereavement therapy can support individuals or couples with loss—grief, and bereavement at every stage of their journey.
- There is no ‘right way’ or correct timeframe to process loss, and everyone will react differently. Whilst the seven stages of grief are widely recognised, the landscape of loss and grief is extremely complex. Many people feel numbness and withdraw from those around them, and others might become more reactive and anxious.
- Sometimes grief is experienced in waves; at differing times, it can feel extremely overwhelming and consuming. Bereavement counselling will help individuals understand their emotional response to loss.
Self-Care During Grief
Grieving can feel all-encompassing, and the demands of everyday life may seem overwhelming. Self-care during this time is vital, even in the smallest of ways. Here are a few examples of self-care activities that might be helpful:
- Journaling: Writing down your thoughts and feelings can be a helpful way to process your grief.
- Mindful Breathing: Practising mindful breathing exercises can help you to relax and manage feelings of anxiety or stress.
- Connecting with Nature: Spending time in nature can be calming and restorative.
Understanding Grief Triggers
Certain dates, places, or objects can evoke strong memories and emotions. These ‘grief triggers’ can feel unexpected and bring intense feelings to the surface. Recognising and understanding what prompts these emotions is an important part of processing your loss.
Bereavement counselling offers a supportive environment to explore these moments, honour the memories they carry, and work towards finding ways to engage with them meaningfully. Together, we can create a space where you feel safe to acknowledge the lasting connection you have with what you’ve lost.
Honouring Your Loss
Grief does not require you to forget or ‘move on’ from your loss. Instead, it allows space to hold onto cherished memories and find ways to honour the person, pet or aspect of life you’ve lost. This might involve revisiting joyful memories, creating keepsakes or finding meaningful ways to reflect on the bond you shared.
In counselling, we support you in finding these moments of connection and encourage you to incorporate them into your life in a way that feels natural and healing. Together, we can help you honour your experience while gently allowing for new beginnings.
Moving Forward with Grief
Grief is not something to ‘complete’. It becomes a part of you, something you carry forward as you continue to live your life. This process may involve finding new ways to celebrate the memories of what has been lost, rediscovering joy and opening up to new experiences.
Bereavement counselling at Leone Centre offers a space to explore what moving forward looks like for you. Whether it’s creating rituals of remembrance, finding ways to include your loved one in your ongoing story, or simply sharing your emotions, we are here to support you as you manage these moments.
Whether it’s allowing yourself the time and space to rest, maintaining nourishing routines, or finding comfort in moments of quiet reflection, these practices can help bring steadiness amidst the uncertainty.
Bereavement counselling provides a space to consider how to look after yourself and work towards a sense of balance. You don’t have to manage these challenges alone. Our therapists are here to walk with you, offering support as you find ways to manage daily life alongside the weight of loss.
Getting Bereavement Counselling
All those who have experienced a loss can benefit from bereavement counselling, particularly if they feel stuck and overwhelmed. We can support you with your grief in an online and face-to-face capacity – it’s your preference.
Online Counselling
Online Counselling has benefits and is no different from Grief and Bereavement Counselling. Contact us today if you want to work online with one of our qualified therapists.
Bereavement is an extremely sensitive time, but our qualified and experienced therapists will listen attentively and unconditionally, supporting and helping you to manage and process your experience.
Bereavement counselling can help at any stage of grieving. It is not uncommon for people to come to counselling a year after their loss. There is no universal or right time scale for grief. It is important that individuals do not compare their grief with those around them who might be pressured to ‘keep up’ or ‘get back to normal.
Get in contact with Leone Centre if you feel you are struggling to cope with your daily life in the same way or experiencing anxiety, irrational fears, or phobias due to the trauma of loss.
In individual psychotherapy or energy works, our experienced therapists and counsellors will see you for an initial appointment and work with you to find the best way forward.
The Leone Centre counsellors and psychotherapists will work with couples or marriage counselling after losing a child or a loved one.
Bereavement is also part of the process when a couple works with us at Leone Centre for divorce counselling. Alternatively, relationship counselling can help reconnect and rebuild relationships that may have been impacted due to the struggles with loss and grief.
FAQs
What are some ways to honour the memory of someone or something I’ve lost?
Grief does not require forgetting or “moving on” from a loss. It allows space to hold onto cherished memories and find ways to honour the person, pet, or aspect of life you’ve lost. This could involve revisiting joyful memories, creating keepsakes, or finding meaningful ways to reflect on the bond you shared.
What are grief triggers?
Grief triggers are certain dates, places, or objects that evoke strong memories and emotions. They can feel unexpected and bring intense feelings to the surface. Recognising and understanding what prompts these emotions can be an important part of processing your loss.
What other sources of support are available besides counselling?
In addition to counselling, there are other helpful avenues of support. These may include:
- Speaking with your general practitioner
- Connecting with local support groups
- Finding resources through your place of work, study, or worship
- Utilising resources at community spaces, like libraries or community centres
- Connecting with online bereavement communities