Grief & Anticipatory Grief

Grief is personal and unique to you. How you grieve and how long it lasts is your choice. There is no set timeline or unrealistic expectations of grief and loss in the counselling room. Sometimes we just need to talk about our thoughts and feelings away from those who may also be affected by our loss.  

We can grieve for many different reasons; it does not have to be the death of someone you know. 

Loss or change brings grief. You may be grieving for a lost relationship, a change in your health, a change in status or professional identity, or the loss of a future you expected that now feels uncertain. 

All forms of grief - whatever your reasons, can bring intense, exhausting and overwhelming thoughts and feelings - I know - I have been there too - not just grief through death. 

Loss and grief can feel shocking, exhausting, confusing, or overwhelming — and it can affect your emotional, physical, and mental health. Sometimes talking freely, without expected judgment opinions or advice is enough to support you.

In our sessions, I offer you a calm, empathic, and non-judgemental space to explore your thoughts and feelings without clichés, pressure, or interruption. Whether your loss has already happened or you’re preparing for it, I support you to process your experiences at your own pace and care for your wellbeing.

Communication

Communication is difficult if you struggle to express your thoughts and feelings clearly and effectively. 

You may have expressed your opinions in the past, and it was not a positive or helpful experience. When communication feels unsafe or not acceptable, thoughts and emotions can become internalised, for weeks months or even years, until we can no longer contain them. This internalisation can eventually start to affect your mental health, and physical wellbeing, making it difficult to sustain a healthy way of life.

In our sessions, I support you to find your own way and style of communicating, at a pace that feels manageable for you. As your confidence grows, you can begin to express yourself more clearly and calmly — creating healthier boundaries and more connected relationships.

Relationships

Relationships can be supportive and meaningful, and are shaped by how we feel, communicate, and connect. They show up in many forms — blended or immediate family, friendships, co-workers, intimate or platonic relationships.

I support you to explore how you relate to others, how you learned to communicate, and how your experiences have shaped your communication style. Your concerns within your relationship are met with empathy understanding and gives you an opportunity for you to reflect and consider your choices and potential decisions.

Neurodiversity

If you are neurodivergent with or without a diagnosis, you may be considering counselling to reflect and discuss your experiences. Maybe you are still adjusting to your realisations that your way of being is valid and real. You may feel internal frustration or overwhelmed as you try to explain to those closest to you the impact your diagnosis has been on your daily life. You may have felt misunderstood, masked parts of yourself, or struggled to feel accepted for weeks months or years.

Counselling offers you a quiet, supportive space to explore your thoughts and feeling both before and after your realisation of being neurodivergent. Maybe you need support through counselling to find the words to communicate calmly and clearly to those closest to you, how to support and guide you moving forwards. No matter the reason I am here to support you.

High Functioning Stress 

Stress can be part of daily life, but how we manage it determines how quickly it can become high functioning. You may feel you are coping and masking your thoughts and feelings, while inside you are feeling exhausted constantly switched on. You may feel disconnected from others, angry exasperated or not appreciated or respected. When experiences or situations are not voiced and processed, they can remain with us and continue to feel present and overwhelming.

In our sessions, there’s time and space to pause, breathe and be who you need to be. Your experiences and emotions are valid and real and will be met with empathy and understanding. You can disclose as much or as little as you choose, sometimes we just need time to pause breathe, and focus on us - even just for a short time.

If you are still unsure if your reasons for counselling are enough, please send me an email enquiry and we can discuss your reasons and requirements together. 

To hear about my experience as a counsellor, and why clients choose counselling.
Head to my podcasts on Spotify and Apple: Spread Your Wings Therapy