Bereavement

The death of a family member, close friend, or even a well-loved pet can have a big impact, especially if the loss was sudden and unexpected. It is normal to grieve when you have lost someone who was important to you. Everyone grieves in their own unique way. The loss of someone close can bring up strong feelings of sadness, guilt and anger, and if you are struggling with this, the grieving process may have become stuck. If you do not deal with this, it can be distressing and may lead to depression.

The main tasks of mourning are:

• To accept the reality of the loss
• To work through the confusing pain of grief
• To adjust to life without the person who has died
• To let go of the person and find a place for them emotionally

Counselling can help with grieving difficulties

It can help you:

• Gain an understanding of the mourning process
• Explore issues from your past with this person
• Help resolve areas of conflict
• Help you adjust to a new sense of yourself
• Access further help if the mourning has turned to depression