Bereavement Counselling in Hackney & Online

Whether your loss was recent or long ago, expected or sudden, it’s common to feel lost, numb, angry, or overwhelmed. Some days you may function; others knock you off your feet. Grief changes the shape of everyday life – sleep, appetite, energy, even how time passes. If you’re living with loss, therapy offers a steady, confidential space to talk, remember, and feel supported, navigating the experience of loss.

Grief, Loss & Bereavement What’s the Difference?

Bereavement usually refers to the period after a death. Grief is the response to loss in all its forms – death, relationship endings, changes in health or identity. There’s no single way to grieve. Your experience is unique – it’s shaped by your relationship with the person who died, your history, your beliefs, and the support around you.

How Grief Can Feel

Grief is more than sadness. You might recognise some of the following:

• Waves of emotion – sadness, anger, guilt, relief, yearning, or numbness
• Brain fog, restlessness, difficulty concentrating or sleeping
• Changes in appetite or energy; wanting company or preferring solitude
• A sense that life has lost direction or meaning

These experiences can be intense, mild, or change from day to day. There’s no timetable. Feeling okay one hour and overwhelmed the next is common and doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong.

Mourning & the Work of Grief

Rituals such as funerals, wakes, and anniversaries can offer structure at a chaotic time. Seeing the reality of the loss and saying goodbye helps many people begin to absorb what’s happened. Later, you may find comfort in continuing bonds: visiting a grave or bench, lighting a candle, talking to the person in your thoughts, telling stories, or keeping small rituals that keep their memory present in ways that support you. Another task of grief is rebuilding a life in changed circumstances – new routines, roles and identities. That might mean navigating practical matters as well as the emotional impact, such as caring responsibilities, finances, work, or changes in family dynamics. It’s normal to feel different in yourself for a while.

When Counselling Can Help

You don’t have to be in crisis to seek support. Counselling can be helpful if:

• You feel stuck, cut off, or overwhelmed by guilt, anger or fear
• Every day life feels unreal, or you’re struggling to make decisions
• You’re worried about how you’re coping – drinking more, withdrawing, or pushing yourself to “just carry on”
• You’d value a confidential space where you don’t have to protect others from your feelings

Therapy isn’t about getting you to “move on” or prescribing stages. It’s about company, clarity and care while you live with something profoundly human.

What We Might Explore Together

• What your grief looks and feels like – emotionally, physically and in daily life
• The impact on identity and relationships (including caring roles and work)
• Difficult feelings that are hard to voice elsewhere – relief, resentment, anger, guilt
• Ways to honour your person and keep memories alive in ways that help rather than hurt
• Small, practical supports for tough days – sleep, routine, boundaries, asking for help
• How to live with the loss (not “get over” it) at a pace that feels safe

My  Approach

I work integratively – tailoring therapy to you, rather than a one-size-fits-all method. My style is gentle, down-to-earth and conversational. Some people come with strong, clear feelings; others feel flat, confused or detached. However your grief shows up, we’ll work with that. I bring over 25 years’ experience in person-centred care, and a particular interest in supporting adults and older adults (including men who may find it hard to ask for help). I understand the practical and emotional realities that often sit alongside bereavement – health changes, caring duties and family complexities.

Practical details

• Location: In-person bereavement counselling in Hackney and online across the UK
• Free 30-minute introductory meeting to ask questions and see how it feels to talk
• Ongoing sessions £65 for 50 minutes (concessions available)
• Short-term or longer-term work, weekly or at a pace that suits you

Ready to begin?

Whether you want to talk, sit with memories, or simply not feel alone with it all, I’m here to help. Book a free 30-minute introduction to arrange bereavement counselling in Hackney or online.