Grief & Bereavement Counselling in Richmond

Reasons people come

• The recent death of someone close
• Grief that has resurfaced months or years later
• Anticipatory grief — facing the loss of someone still alive
• Loss of a pregnancy, a pet, or a relationship
• Feeling cut off from grief, or numb
• Carrying a loss that others around you no longer mention
• Guilt, anger or relief alongside sadness
• Supporting children or family while grieving yourself

Grief that doesn't look like grief

Loss can show up as exhaustion, irritability, anxiety, a strange flatness, or a loss of meaning. You might be grieving while still going to work, caring for others, or telling people you're fine.

Naming what's underneath often brings real relief. Counselling can help you make sense of reactions that feel confusing or shameful, and find ways to honour the loss without being consumed by it.

Continuing bonds, not 'moving on'

Modern bereavement work doesn't ask you to leave the person behind or 'get over it'. The goal is often a continuing bond — a relationship with them that you can carry forward into the rest of your life, in a way that feels bearable.

That might mean talking about them, writing, remembering, or finding rituals that matter to you. There's no single right way to grieve.

When grief feels stuck or overwhelming

Sometimes grief becomes complicated — perhaps the relationship was difficult, the death was sudden, or you weren't able to say goodbye. These circumstances can make loss harder to process alone.

Counselling isn't about fixing grief but about having support while you find your footing. If you're in crisis, please contact your GP, NHS 111, or the Samaritans on 116 123.

Taking the first step

Sessions are 50 minutes, usually weekly, in person or by secure video. To arrange a free introductory call, visit the contact page or email counsellingrichmond26@gmail.com.

Common questions

Is there a right time to seek grief counselling?

There's no fixed timeline. Some people come within weeks of a loss; others years later when grief surfaces in unexpected ways. Both are valid. If you're wondering whether it's 'too soon' or 'too late', that's worth talking through.

Will I have to talk about the death in detail?

Only when and if you want to. The work is led by you. Sometimes we talk about the person who died; sometimes about everything around it — the practicalities, the family, the parts that feel impossible to say aloud.

What kinds of loss do you work with?

Bereavement of a partner, parent, child, sibling, friend or pet, as well as anticipatory grief, miscarriage, and losses that aren't always recognised by others — including the end of a relationship or a life you expected to have.

Is grief counselling different from general counselling?

The relationship is the same — warm, confidential, unhurried — but the focus is on loss and what it means for your life now. There's no pressure to 'move on' or reach a particular stage.