Month: November 2021

23rd November 2021

As explored in a previous blog post, it is not advisable to immediately seek bereavement counselling in Harrogate or online. Giving yourself some time to grieve privately, to process your emotions, is the recommended course of action, because this is a period when you are still in shock. Over time, however, you might feel like seeking a bereavement counsellor is the best thing to do. If you are unsure about whether to reach out, here are three signs that suggest you might need bereavement counselling. 

Feeling Numb

It is possible to move past the loss of a loved one too easily. The pain of grief is so much that many people automatically close themselves off from these difficult feelings and, as a result, don’t feel anything at all. They might constantly insist that they are “fine”, but in reality they are pushing down their grief and not allowing themselves to process the loss they have experienced. If this is the case, seeing a bereavement counsellor in Harrogate or online can be beneficial, as I provide a safe, confidential space where these difficulties can be explored and processed in a healthy way. 

Addictions 

 As is often the case, people who have experienced a loss will slip into addictions to avoid the pain they are in. This could involve drinking, drugs, shopping, eating, sex, gambling, or any other activity/behaviour that has the short-term benefit of briefly removing the pain, but has a deeper consequence of masking – and accentuating – the original pain of that loss. Seeing a bereavement counsellor in Harrogate or online is the safest, most effective way to deal with this original hurt.

Fear of Making New Relationships

 In cases of grieving, it is common to have an apprehension towards forming new relationships. The fear of loss, along with an inability to detach oneself from the past, means people don’t make new bonds with others. This is a sign of someone not moving past their grief; they are not allowing themselves to move forward and grow because they are still holding on to the initial pain of losing a loved one. 

If you are struggling to move past the loss of a loved one, or have a family member or friend who is displaying any of the above behaviours, I offer confidential, bespoke bereavement counselling in Harrogate or online. Feel free to get in touch and ask any questions you might have.

10th November 2021

Life is never quite the same after the loss of a child. Bereaved parents will often speak about how they lose a part of themselves after their child dies. This is a natural, commonplace feeling after such a monumental event, but it does not mean you will be miserable forever. There is life after the death of a child, but it takes time. To help you navigate this challenging period, this blog post walks you through a few things to keep in mind about grieving for a lost child.

The Relationship With Your Partner

Both parents must accept that their dynamic will change after losing a child. It may be that you grow apart over time; many couples decide to move on because staying with the partner brings up feelings and memories that are too painful. Ending the relationship is, for many, the most effective way of moving past the grief of losing a child.

However, it is important to remember that this difficult experience creates a bond between the two of you that nobody else can replicate. You have gone through something extremely challenging together; only you and your partner know how it feels. As a consequence, it could be that you become even closer. Nobody apart from them truly understands the pain you went through; having them close to you can therefore be extremely important.

Finding a Support Network

It is important to remember that you are not alone. There are many people who have gone through the same experience, and sharing your feelings with them can be extremely helpful. Those who are further down the road of grieving are able to give valuable advice about how to deal with these challenging times. More importantly, simply sharing how you feel with others is a powerful thing to do. Keeping these emotions to yourself is never a good thing to do.

Along with finding a support network of fellow grieving parents, seeking bereavement counselling in Harrogate or online can also be highly beneficial. I give you a safe, confidential space where you can freely express your feelings and feel heard, understood, and validated as you process this trauma in your own way – and in your own time.

Establishing a Routine

Following the loss of a child, parents can often become so overcome with grief that they ignore their own health. This could involve not eating or not eating well, not exercising, or neglecting daily responsibilities. Failing to complete these tasks will, over time, make your situation even worse, so it is important to establish a routine that ensures you keep living a healthy life. This could include taking a walk every day, or eating some fruit at breakfast. Keeping yourself physically healthy in this way is hugely important for your mental health.

If you are a parent who has recently lost a child, help is out there. I offer bespoke, highly compassionate bereavement counselling in Harrogate and online, giving you a non-judgemental environment where you can speak honestly about your feelings and gradually move to a better place.