Grief and Bereavement
Grieving is a normal response to loss, whether it is loss of a loved one, loss of health, loss of a job or divorce. However, as a society we find it difficult to talk about death, dying and loss and culturally there remain many taboos around this subject thus making loss an often silent and isolating experience. This alone can make the passage of grieving difficult, as by nature we have the need to tell our story, which allows us to incorporate our experience into our lives and continue our journey.
In cases of bereavement, it is not intended that you should have to 'move on' from your loss in any way. It may be hard for family and friends to hear your story as they do not want you to be in pain and they may also be dealing with their own emotions. Also the passage of time can bring certain preconceptions that the grieving process should have ended. However, anniversaries, birthdays and family occasions can heighten our sense of loss and re-trigger the grieving process. It can also seem as though family and friends have 'moved on' and expect the same from you.
Counselling allows you the time and space to tell your story and to be heard, to have someone along side you who can bear your pain and is present for you alone. As a person-centred counsellor I will have distance from your experience but will not be distanced from you and I recognise the need for you to fully experience your grief by offering a safe and contained place for the exploration of all of your emotions, without judgment or preconceptions.
This process of telling your story allows your loss to become integrated into your every day life, and for your loved one to be remembered and to remain part of your life, without the pain of your loss being unbearable.