Grief Counselling

Grief and the process of mourning is a complex and individual experience.

After the loss of a loved one you will have your own reactions, feelings and range of strong emotions.

Some feelings which are common are sadness, anger and guilt. You may also feel anxious, lonely, tired, and numb or even have some feelings of relief. Your thought processes may be confused or preoccupied. You may disbelieve the death for a period of time. Hallucinations are common in the early period after the death. Withdrawal from your social circles, avoiding situations or reminders, periodic bouts of emotional overwhelm and having trouble sleeping are also common.

To grieve you may need to talk about your loved one, the manner of the death, express the myriad of feelings you may be having or even how you are coping, with supportive others such as family members, friends and colleagues. In the days and weeks after the death this support may be abundant, but as time goes on, it may be withdrawn as each person returns to their busy lives. It is common at this time to find yourself judging how you are feeling. Maybe you are feeling confused, your despair is increasing rather than lessening, or perhaps you think that others expect you to be coping better.

If you are feeling this way, it may be time to seek professional support. Without access to openly expressing what you are experiencing, then you may find yourself experiencing more intense emotions, depression or physical illness.

Grief counselling may help with paving the path ahead for you.