Grief Counselling
Sadly loss affects us all at some time in our life and with loss comes grief. Hand in hand they can make life impossibly hard, first stealing our loved ones and then robbing us of our normality, happiness and security. When someone we love dies, we can lose ourselves, our meaning and our reason to do what we’ve always done. We can lose our way and our purpose. We can even lose our reason to get out of bed in the morning.
Along with the darkness of deep sadness, we can also find ourselves filled with a whole host of difficult emotions including regret, fear, guilt, panic and anxiety. Unspoken words that we wish we had said to our lost loved one can torture us as we face their absence.
Grief can pervade every inch of our lives, stuffing our heads so full that we sometimes feel our brains are lost in the deepest fog. We can’t concentrate or remember what we need to do. We are exhausted but we can even lose the ability to sleep.
Grief can silence us too even though our hearts have so much to say. It can take away our words and our truth as we struggle against its power to express and process our pain. Feelings around our loss can be very difficult to discuss or disclose. We may have seen some traumatic things too or spent years dealing with living grief as a carer. But the burden of keeping all that deep emotion locked inside isn’t good for us and can make life so very hard to live. We need to find a way to get that utter unacceptability out of our heads and I believe counselling can help us find the peace we need to live on after loss.
Finding a place to be heard and really listened to without fear of judgement is something that many of us struggle with when we lose a loved one. Our sessions will provide you with a safe and valuable space that answers that need with respect and genuineness…. a space to process painful experiences and the emotions surrounding them.
I am a passionate believer in the power of communication through creative work wherever possible and when it’s right for you. In my experience exploring and sharing your grief journey through journaling and memory work can allow you to recognise and in your own time take comfort from the continuing bonds that death cannot break.
Reaching out for help can be so very hard but just by reading this you have taken the first brave step. Please contact me for a free consultation which will allow you to ask any questions you may have about us working together.
Counselling for Anxiety, Stress and Emotional Difficulties
Do things feel overwhelming or difficult right now? Is your mounting stress or anxiety getting in the way of life and draining its pleasure? Do you feel yourself disconnecting from others, overthinking things, worrying about your health, waking up with a feeling of dread or not able to sleep at all. Perhaps you are living in fear of what might happen rather than in the moment?
Anxiety can also manifest in a host of physical symptoms including panic attacks, palpitations, sweating or aches and pains. Emotionally, we can feel angry or confused too when anxiety is dominating our days. Sometimes self medicating with too much alcohol or by overeating feels like the only answer.
Counselling can help you take back control, firstly by offering a safe, non judgemental space to share how you are feeling. I work with anxiety, stress, poor self esteem, phobias, health anxiety, low mood and depression. My approach is person centred and my pluralistic training allows me to draw on a range of approaches as we find what suits you best.. I also offer a solution focused approach if that is what you want, working alongside you to develop new strategies and ways of thinking that can help you change what isn’t working.
Please contact me for a free initial consultation if you would like to talk about working together. Taking the first step isn’t easy but positive change is within your reach.