Grief & Bereavement Counselling
Grief can affect us in many different ways. It may follow the death of someone we love, but we can also experience grief following the loss of a relationship, changes in our health, redundancy, retirement, the loss of a pet or other significant changes in our lives.
There is no right or wrong way to grieve, and there is no timetable for how long grief should last. Everyone experiences loss differently. Counselling can provide a safe and confidential space to talk about what you are experiencing and begin to make sense of your feelings at your own pace.
Grief can take many forms
When we think about grief, we often think about bereavement following the death of someone close to us. But feelings of grief and loss can arise in many circumstances, including the end of a relationship, changes in health, redundancy or retirement, the loss of a pet, or a significant change in the life we expected to have.
Grief can bring many different emotions. You may experience sadness, anger, guilt, numbness, loneliness, anxiety or a sense of being overwhelmed. At other times you may feel relatively okay, only for difficult feelings to return unexpectedly. There is no single pattern that everyone follows.
How can grief counselling help?
Grief is something we often have to learn to live alongside rather than simply “get over”. While family and friends can be an important source of support, there may also be things that feel difficult to talk about with the people closest to us.
Bereavement counselling offers a private and supportive space where you can talk openly about your loss and how it is affecting you. It can give you time to understand your feelings, adjust to changes in your life and find ways of coping when things feel particularly difficult.
Counselling may be helpful if you are:
- Finding grief difficult to cope with
- Feeling overwhelmed, anxious, angry or numb
- Experiencing loneliness or isolation following a loss
- Struggling with guilt, regret or unresolved feelings
- Adjusting to life after a bereavement or other significant loss
- Finding that grief is affecting your everyday life or relationships
Bereavement counselling with Ann
I understand that talking about grief can be difficult, particularly when the loss is recent or when you have been carrying difficult feelings for a long time. You don’t need to arrive knowing what to say or where to begin.
I have a Diploma in Grief and Bereavement Counselling and offer a confidential, non-judgemental space where we can explore what you are experiencing at a pace that feels manageable for you.
I provide counselling and psychotherapy from Cara Counselling in East Galway, near Loughrea, Kiltulla and Athenry. Face-to-face and telephone appointments are available.
Thinking about bereavement counselling?
If you’re experiencing grief or loss and feel that counselling might be helpful, you’re welcome to get in touch. You don’t need to wait until things become overwhelming before seeking support.
You can call, text or send me a message and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.