Grief & Bereavement Counselling

Experiencing a significant loss can be incredibly painful and isolating. Our grief and bereavement counselling provides a compassionate space for you to process your emotions, whether you're dealing with complicated grief, anticipatory grief, or disenfranchised grief. We help you work through the pain of loss, find meaning, and move forward at your own pace.

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Grief is a complex emotional response to loss, and it can deeply affect individuals in many ways. At Equinox Counselling in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, we understand the importance of providing compassionate and effective support for those experiencing grief. Whether our clients are dealing with bereavement, the loss of a relationship, or any other significant loss, our grief counselling services are designed to help them navigate their emotions and find a path forward.

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Our approach to grief counselling incorporates a variety of proven techniques, allowing us to tailor our services to the unique needs of each individual. Here are five key counselling strategies we employ to support our clients through their grieving process:

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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based approach that helps clients identify and challenge negative thought patterns that may be hindering their ability to process grief. By reframing and restructuring these thoughts, clients can develop more positive perspectives on their loss. CBT also includes practical techniques such as targeting specific behaviors and creating a new, healthier narrative about their experience, which can facilitate healing and acceptance.

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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) encourages clients to accept their grief rather than resist it. This approach promotes mindfulness and helps clients embrace their emotions without judgment. ACT uses six core processes: clarifying personal values, committing to action, accepting difficult emotions, enhancing present-moment awareness, practicing cognitive defusion (creating distance from thoughts), and developing an observing self to view emotions and thoughts objectively. Through ACT, clients learn to move forward while carrying their grief with grace.

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Traumatic Grief Therapy

For clients experiencing traumatic grief, which often follows a sudden or unexpected loss, the focus is on stabilization and routine. Traumatic grief can manifest through intense emotional and physical symptoms, such as intrusive thoughts, anxiety, and disrupted sleep. Our approach to traumatic grief therapy includes establishing a consistent routine to help regulate emotions, soothing the nervous system, and encouraging clients to express their feelings openly. Recognizing that their reactions are normal is a key step in this healing process.

 

Complicated Grief Therapy

Complicated grief is characterized by a prolonged, intense longing for the deceased, accompanied by difficulty in accepting the loss. It often follows traumatic grief and can lead to a condition known as Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD). At Equinox Counselling, we use a combination of therapeutic techniques, including CBT and ACT, to help clients work through their memories and emotions. This approach allows them to develop healthier coping strategies and find new ways to remember their loved ones, while gradually accepting the reality of their loss.

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Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)

Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) focuses on improving the client’s current relationships and social functioning, which can be significantly impacted by grief. Originally developed to treat depression, IPT has been adapted to help clients process their grief by exploring their current relationships and social dynamics. We use two main forms of IPT: Metacognitive Interpersonal Therapy (MIT), which helps clients identify and express their emotions, and Dynamic Interpersonal Therapy (DIT), which combines psychodynamics and mentalization to foster a deeper understanding of their thoughts and feelings.

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Developing Grief Counselling Skills

At Equinox Counselling, we believe that effective grief counselling requires a deep understanding of grief's complexity and the ability to employ a wide range of techniques. Counsellor Rebecca continuously refines her skills through professional development and real-world experience, ensuring she can provide the best possible support to her clients.

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Some of the key skills we emphasize in our practice include:

• Empathy: Demonstrating a deep understanding of what clients are going through is essential. Unlike sympathy, which may involve shared feelings of grief, empathy provides a calm and supportive presence that allows clients to feel truly understood and cared for.

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• Creative Methods: Sometimes, conventional counselling methods may not fully address a client’s needs. In such cases, we employ innovative techniques, such as facilitating imagined conversations with the deceased, to help clients express their emotions and move toward closure.

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At Equinox Counselling, our goal is to provide a safe, supportive environment where clients can explore their grief and begin their healing journey. If you or a loved one are struggling with grief, please reach out to us for a confidential consultation.