1. June 2026
Understanding Grief and Loss
Grief and loss can change who we are, and who we become moving forwards.
The death of someone closest to us can affect our physical and mental well-being both in the short and long term
We can feel a mix of emotions: numbness, emptiness, isolation, loneliness, and emotional exhaustion.
Physical symptoms include insomnia, loss of appetite, headaches, nausea, palpitations, and many more.
As you experience these physical and emotional reactions to your unique situation, you may be expected to, or feel obliged to, continue your daily life and duties as normal. The situation may also bring new responsibilities or expectations placed on you.
Many people experiencing loss and grief try to continue with daily life, routines, work, and responsibilities while internally struggling with exhaustion, distress, and overwhelm. Over time, masking thoughts and feelings can slowly begin to affect both mental and physical health.
In the first stages of grief, we may feel supported, understood, and our thoughts and feelings heard and seen. The support and sympathy we have received may slowly diminish as time moves forward and life continues.
The griever may hear well-meaning advice, comparisons with their timeline of grief to others, opinions or cliches.
You may hear,
It’s time to move on
Don’t keep upsetting yourself
It’s been how long now
You can’t change the past; the future is what matters.
You’re only making yourself worse
They wouldn’t want you to be unhappy.
There are many others and I’m sure you have your own.
Grief and loss is personal and unique to you, and so is the grieving process. There is no set timeline, no right reaction, and no single easy path to take. It can be expressed in many different ways at different times. There may be open declarations of remembering them such as a memorial gatherings, or remembering them at even at special times, anniversary’s birthdays etc..
Memory boxes, photo albums, or writing unsent letters to the person.
You may prefer having conversations about the past and present, sharing stories, and reliving memories.
It can bring intense and prolonged thoughts, feelings and emotions.
You may feel anger, frustration, guilt, blindsided, or struggle to communicate coherently.
The experience of grief can leave you feeling inconsolable, create stress and anxiety, and feel isolated or lonely.
How can counselling help?
Counselling can offer a safe, independent space where grief can be explored without judgment, pressure, or expectation. It’s a time and space for you, to think, feel, and discuss your experiences in your own way, and in your own time, whenever you feel ready. You do not need to know what to say or how to say it, we can discover this together.
Take care.
Lynda Peters (MBACP)
BACP Registration Number: 411958
BSc (HONS) Counselling & Psychotherapy
Shropshire | West Midlands
Online & Telephone Counselling Across the UK
Professional Standards
For reassurance,
I am a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) (Registration Number: 411958). This means I work within a recognised Ethical Framework, supported by regular supervision, ongoing professional development, and high standards of practice.
You can feel reassured that your counselling experience with me is held within a safe, confidential, ethical, and professionally guided environment.