HOW I SUPPORT CLIENTS
I offer a relaxed, non-judgemental, confidential space, where my clients can feel comfortable to express how they truly feel; talking openly about their loss and their loved one as much as they need and want to.
I help guide clients as they work through the mourning process, learning to adapt to their loss and adjust to a new normal. My aim is for them to grow their life bigger around their grief, with the ability to remember their loved one with more love than pain.
Although there is no wrong or right way to grief, my training on bereavement has helped me to identify various and theories and frameworks that work well to support clients through the mourning process.
I offer a space where clients can:
Talk about their loved one
Often when someone dies, people who mean well may feel it’s best not to talk about the deceased, as they worry it will stop the bereaved from moving on.
I invite clients to talk about their loved one as much as they want to. Clients often say that talking about their memories brings their loved one alive and helps them stay connected.
This connection is very important to the mourning process, and I welcome photos, videos, and any other special memories. It is always an honour for me to get to know loved ones.
Talk about a loved one’s death
I understand that there is sometimes a need for people to repeat the story of their loved one's death.
Even if the death is expected, it can still be hard for the brain to process and to come to terms with the reality of what has happened.
And this can take time. I offer clients a patient space, allowing them to retell the story of the death, and helping them to come to terms with has happened.
Identify, explore, and express feelings
Grief brings up a variety of painful feelings such as anger, guilt, regret and relief.
Unfortunately I cannot fix this pain, as I cannot bring a loved one back. However, I can support clients by helping them identify, explore and express their feelings.
This is not easy but it is important. We heal from grief by feeling the pain, and growing around it. The end goal of grief work is to remember the person with more love than pain.
Make adjustments and manage
Clients may feel the need to relearn how to live due to a new role they have, for example becoming a single parent, or responsible for the household finances.
Clients are often worried that they do not have the confidence or ability to carry these out, and may find it hard to make decisions on their own.
Together we can talk through concerns and identify what can be done to help adjust to a new environment.
Talk about how to cope
Clients are often concerned with how they are coping with grief.
For example, they may turn to unhelpful habits such as drinking or smoking in an attempt to ease the pain.
Together we are able to look at helpful coping strategies that work.
Continue a bond
Clients benefit from redefining a relationship with a loved one; maintaining a bond whilst adjusting to a world which they are physically no longer part of.
Gone is the old-fashioned notion that it is necessary to sever all ties with a loved one; to let go and move on with living.
Research shows that remaining connected to a loved one is normal, comforting and healthy.
'Death ends a life, not a relationship'
Morrie Schwartz
