Bereavement Counselling in London and Online

Losing someone or something you love can be a very challenging and emotionally draining event. Sooner or later this will happen to all of us, which means grief, loss and bereavement are a normal component of our lives. If you are feeling stuck and unable to cope with anger, sadness, guilt or feeling numb, bereavement counselling can help you process these emotions and work through your grief.

Work with our qualified Bereavement therapists today.

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Bereavement counselling In London online

Discover Bereavement Counselling

What is Bereavement?

Bereavement and grief are experienced when someone close to us dies; this can be a person or a pet. When this happens, we experience a loss that may leave a hole in our lives. Everyone’s experience of bereavement is unique, yet common experiences are shared among people who have lost someone.

It is common to be in a state of shock. Some people may throw themselves into the practicalities whilst others may struggle to function. People can be extremely tearful, may feel panicky and anxious or feel numb.

What are the signs and symptoms of Bereavement and Grief?

Bereavement and grief mean often having to go through many difficult and complex emotions. Typically people experiencing grief will notice various changes at multiple levels, although these can vary greatly from person to person as we all grieve in our own way.

Physical Symptoms:

  • Feeling restless or fatigued/weak
  • Changes in appetite (overeating or eating too little)
  • Tearfulness
  • Derealisation (unfamiliarity, confusion and feelings of alienation)
  • Shortness of breath & feelings of emptiness
  • Pains and feelings of sickness

Emotional Symptoms:

  • Sadness, longing, apathy and numbness
  • Fear and anxiety 
  • Hopelessness, helplessness and a sense of abandonment
  • Anger and irritability
  • Guilt
  • Difficulties experiencing joy

Behavioural Symptoms:

  • Forgetfulness, Absent-mindedness and difficulties concentrating
  • Sleep difficulties (e.g., insomnia or nightmares)
  • Social withdrawal and Isolation
  • Inactivity or overactivity

Cognitive Symptoms:

  • Rumination (i.e., repetitive questions such as “why did this happen to me?”)
  • Negative thoughts around worthlessness and meaninglessness 
  • Trying to stop/suppress/avoid thoughts about the loss

If you find that several of the above points match with your experience, it would be a good idea to get in touch for a free consultation to see if you would like to pursue private grief counselling.

The Six Stages of Bereavement, Grief and Loss

It is believed that there are seven stages of grief which are anger, disbelief, bargaining, denial, guilt, depression and finally, acceptance. People can progress through these stages at different rates, and it is normal for this to take time. However, some people can become stuck and struggle to move through the stages. This can contribute to emotional difficulties, such as depression and anxiety, which can have a detrimental impact on various areas of an individual’s life. It’s the negative impact on our ability to function in everyday life that tells us whether we need help, such as grief and bereavement counselling or therapy.

1- Shock and Denial

Often people experience a state of shock. This is usually the first reaction to a bereavement where it can feel like you are in a daze and can’t comprehend that the person you have lost is not coming back. Some people experience numbness which may help when dealing with the practicalities following someone’s death, and it can seem that they are carrying on as if nothing has happened. Others may struggle to function and find everyday tasks challenging.

2- Anger

Many people experience anger following the death of someone. This anger may be directed towards medical staff for not doing enough, towards friends and family, perhaps for not helping enough or towards the individual who has died, perhaps due to leaving them.

3- Bargaining

To cope with feeling out of control, vulnerable and helpless, people can look for ways to regain control to feel that they can affect the outcomes of events. For example, some people with religious beliefs may make a bargain or promise with God in return to be relieved of their pain and suffering.

4- Guilt

People may experience guilt over things they did or didn’t do. Often people perceive that they didn’t do enough for the person that died.

5- Depression

The magnitude of the loss can contribute to depression or low mood. This can include feeling sad, becoming withdrawn, a loss of appetite and experiencing aches and pains. People can think lots about the person they have lost, including reflecting upon that person’s memories. Associated with depression can be a sense of loneliness and emptiness. This is often the moment people seek bereavement counselling or therapy.

6- Acceptance

This is the final stage of the process of grief. This involves letting go of anger and no longer bargaining. People in this stage plan for the future and anticipate enjoyable times. They still experience sadness when thinking about the person they lost, particularly during significant dates, such as anniversaries and birthdays. However, the sadness is not all-encompassing and prolonged.

When Should I Seek Counselling for Bereavement and Grief?

People may think to themselves that grief is normal and shouldn’t seek therapy but instead deal with it independently. Grief is indeed a normal experience that we can manage without professional help. However, it can be a challenging and complicated process for some people, and you may be struggling to cope. For some people, the grieving process can strongly impair their ability to function in their everyday life as well as they would like. This could mean the deterioration of existing important relationships through isolation. It can also translate into overworking as a way of not thinking about their loss, which might, in turn, lead to burnout and further distress. 

Losing a significant one can be one of the most stressful events in somebody’s life. The long-term effects of grief, if left untreated, can lead to more serious mental health issues such as depression, anxiety and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Therefore, if you feel stuck at any of the stages of grief or realise your bereavement has triggered several negative consequences in your everyday life, it could beneficial for you to seek help from a bereavement counselling service. You will be able to talk to a professional bereavement counsellor or therapist trained to help people cope with grief, manage their loss, and prevent more serious potential long-term mental health consequences of bereavement.

It could be crucial to seek professional help with grief if:

  • You have little social support
  • Your loss happened violently or unexpectedly
  • The person you lost was very young (e.g. a child)
  • You have a difficult childhood history

What to Expect from Bereavement Counselling? How Does it Work?

Your grief therapist will begin by asking you about your loss, how you have been coping, and its impact upon your life. You will be asked about your relationship and experiences with that person, how you manage day-to-day, and the emotional impact the loss has had upon you.

Your bereavement counsellor will help you better understand the grieving process, process your grief, and assist you in working through the stages of grief. Your therapist will support you to work through difficult feelings around your loss, adjust to the changes in your life and learn ways to cope during this difficult time. 

By the end of therapy, you will be in a better position to rebuild your life whilst accepting and respecting the reality of your loss. 

How Long Does Bereavement Counselling Take?

Although there are similar stages that people go through when facing a bereavement, the grieving process is unique for each individual. Some people require support from a bereavement counsellor for a short period, whilst others benefit from receiving support over a longer period. There is no set time for how long the grieving process should take, but with the therapist’s support, you can more easily work through your difficulties around your loss. 

Does Bereavement Counselling Help? What are the Benefits?

Asking help for bereavement from a trained professional can have several positive effects, including:

  • Provide support in specific areas of your life where you are finding it difficult to cope
  • Provide the space to talk about your grief and the resources to allow you to accept your loss
  • Identify the most helpful strategies to increase your ability to cope
  • Help you reduce or prevent social withdrawal and reverse it
  • Help you feeling understood
  • Help you recognising that your emotions are normal

Our therapists specialised in Bereavement Counselling

All of our therapists are qualified psychologists, psychotherapists or counsellors registered with several professional bodies. These include the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), the British Psychological Society (BPS), as well as, BACP, UKCP and BABCP.

Our therapists use CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), psychodynamic, humanistic and integrative approaches tailored around your needs to help you deal with your unique challenges and reach your goals.

Dr. Raffaello Antonino

Clinical Director, Counselling Psychologist

Dr. Sheetal Dandgey

Clinical Director, Counselling Psychologist

Dr. Amy Smith

Clinical Director, Counselling Psychologist

Dr. Anna Hovris

Counselling Psychologist

Dr. Karin Kihlberg

Counselling Psychologist

Dr. Alana Whitlock

Clinical Psychologist

Dr. Yasmeen Jaina

Counselling Psychologist

Dr Gail Freedman

Counselling Psychologist

Dr Sara Chaudhrey

Counselling Psychologist

Dr Sidra Chaudhry

Counselling Psychologist

Dr Joanne Warren

Clinical Psychologist

Dr Nicholas Sarantakis

Counselling Psychologist

Anita Sommers

Psychotherapist

Dr Didem Altay

Counselling Psychologist

Imogen Hg-Johnson

Psychotherapist

Anna Orlowska

Counselling Psychologist

Joanne Videtzky

Clinical Psychologist

Dr Lara Lopes de Jesus

Counselling Psychologist

The british psychological society
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Testimonials

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The Therapist l had was absolutely brilliant with me. He had patience with me and bit by bit l gained a little of confidence to try and get out and go on the buses.

He deserves an award and if l could l would in the beginning l thought how is this person going to get me back on public transport but he did he gave me the confidence l lost and now have back.

I will never forget him and what he has done for me. I wish him nothing but the best in his life.

(Patricia)

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My therapist was excellent. I highly recommend her and I am truly thankful for my sessions, I left feeling confident and positive.

The mental tools, systems and approaches I have been able to develop with her and use in my life have been hugely beneficial.

Thank you to all at Therapy Central.

(John)

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The Therapist really gave me the space to talk and express my feelings and fears in a very comforting environment.

She was there not only to listen, but challenge my thinking, guide me during the uncertainty I was experiencing and give me useful and practical tips to improve my mental health and wellbeing. Highly recommended!

(George)

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Working with the therapist has been a life-changing experience. Each session has been invaluable, helping me gain a good understanding of CBT methodology enabling me to incorporate ways to combat stress and anxiety in my daily life.

The Therapist shows that she really cares and has the ability to make you feel calm whilst discussing any personal issue. 

(Richard)

Fees & Insurances

Therapy, Counselling and CBT sessions are 50 minutes long and are usually held at regular weekly time slots.

Free
15 Minute Initial
Phone Consultation

£80 - £125
Psychological Therapy/
Counselling (Self-funded)

£115 - £150
Couples Therapy/
Family Therapy

Covered by
Your Private Healthcare Insurance Provider

Our therapists are registered with several insurance providers, such as AXAPPP, Simplyhealth, Bupa, Aviva, Cigna (UK/US), and WPA. If you wish to use your personal or employee private healthcare insurance to cover your sessions, please highlight this in your contact form below.

Bereavement Counselling in Central London & Online

If you are looking for help with bereavement counselling in London, at Therapy Central, we can provide you with a safe and confidential space to explore difficult emotions around your loss. We can also help you learn the strategies you need to start making practical adjustments to ease your grieving process and prevent more serious mental health issues in the future. With bereavement counselling, you’ll be able to work through your grief and eventually bring balance and fulfilment back into your life.

A loved one’s death can be an extremely difficult event to experience, but you don’t have to face bereavement and grief alone. Start working through it with a bereavement counsellor in London today. 

Get professional Grief and Bereavement Counselling in central London – Contact us now, and request a 15 minutes free consultation with a Bereavement counsellor today to understand if our help is something you would benefit from in this difficult moment. You can also get in touch via email at info@therapy-central.com or call us at (+44) 020 348 82797 

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    FAQ

    What happens after I make an enquiry?

    After receiving your enquiry we’ll contact you to organise a FREE phone consultation. You will be able to tell us more about your specific circumstances and needs and ask any questions you have. Then, if you want to proceed with therapy or counselling, we’ll match you with the therapist(s) with the best expertise to help you with your challenges and send you a list of their available appointment slots. If you’re satisfied with one of these, we can then go ahead and book your first appointment. You can also request to work with a specific practitioner and, depending on availability we’ll try accomodate this.

    What happens at my first appointment with the therapist?

    Your first session will likely be different than future appointments. You and your therapist will get to know each other and will begin to build a working alliance. It will be a chance to have the confidential space to express your circumstances, feelings and thoughts and being listened to with depth, attention, empathy and without judgement . Your therapist will likely ask you more about your reasons for seeking therapy, and any symptoms you’re experiencing. You may also be asked questions about your past and the history of your issues, as well as how they currently impact your life in the present. Finally, your first session may be a powerful place to discuss what you would like to achieve with therapy and agree on the length, methods and approaches of treatment.

    Is online therapy effective?

    If you choose online over in-person therapy rest assured that this has been proven to be just as effective as regular face to face therapy, and in some cases even more effective. In addition, choosing online therapy brings additional benefits, for example avoiding longer waiting times, greater flexibility with appointments and you won’t need to travel to our practice. You can enjoy online therapy from the comfort of your home.

    How long the Therapy/counselling sessions last?

    Therapy/counselling sessions last 50 minutes and are held at regular weekly time slots. On occasions we are able to allow some flexibility. This can be discussed with your therapist.

    Do you offer reduced rates/concessions?

    We offer low-cost rates to people with a low income, unemployed or students. Please let us know in your enquiry if you would like a concession rate and how you qualify for this. Depending on the availability of our therapists, we’ll do our best to accommodate your request.

    Do you have a cancellation policy?

    We have a 48 hours no-fee cancellation policy. However you will be charged for sessions missed without giving the full notice.

    Our Practice in Central London

    Our comfortable and confidential therapy rooms are conveniently located 3 min walk from Oxford Circus station, in Central London (see map below). Change starts with Talking!

    Learn More

    NHS (coping with Bereavement and Grief)

    Cruse (largest UK Bereavement registered charity)

     

    Further reading

    “How to go on living when someone you love dies” by Therese Rando

    “I wasn’t ready to say goodbye” by Noel and Blair

    “Bearing the unbearable” by Joanne Cacciatore

    “It’s ok that you’re not ok” by Megan Divine

    Authors:

    Dr Raffaello Antonino, Counselling Psychologist

    Dr Amy Smith, Counselling Psychologist

     

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    Members of:

    We're registered with AXA Health, AXA therapists, AXA counselling, Aviva, Vitality, Cigna, BPS, HCPC, BABCP
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