Loss can change the shape of everyday life.

It may follow the death of someone important, the end of a relationship, a change in health, or the loss of a future you had imagined. Even a change you chose can bring feelings you did not expect. You might miss a person, a role, a sense of belonging, the way life used to feel, or even part of your identity.

Grief can involve sadness, anger, numbness, relief or several feelings at once. There is no single order in which you need to experience them, and a difficult day does not mean you have gone backwards. In therapy, I can offer space to talk about what the loss means to you, including the parts that feel hard to explain elsewhere. We can also think together about relationships, routines and ways of caring for yourself as you adjust.

Common responses to grief and change: ‍

• Waves of sadness, longing or a sense that something is missing.

• Feeling shocked, numb or disconnected from what is happening.

• Anger, guilt, regret or unanswered questions.

• Relief alongside sadness, or uncertainty about how you think you should feel.

• Changes in sleep, appetite, energy or concentration.

• Feeling alone, even when other people are trying to support you.

• Finding reminders, anniversaries or ordinary routines unexpectedly difficult.

• Feeling unsure of your identity, direction or what comes next.

These responses do not, by themselves, mean something is wrong with the way you are grieving. Your relationship with what you have lost, your culture and the support around you all matter. You can ask for support at any point, including when there has been no bereavement.

For more information, read Healthdirect's guide to grief and loss.

What an initial session focused on grief and loss looks like:

Grief often feels heavy and coming in to talk about it may feel extremely daunting. That’s normal. We will take each session at the pace that makes sense for you and unpack what matters to you. Depending on the type of grief, we may talk about the moments you feel grief the most, the moments you’re most worried about and how life has changed for you. We may also explore the moments, if there are any where grief has taken a backseat, and what that means for you.

If you are able to take some time after session to take things slow before having to get back to your day - I’d highly recommend this. This can look like taking a slightly longer route back home or to work, or simply sitting in the waiting room for a little longer if needed before heading out.