Grief & Loss

Grief is a deeply personal experience. Whether you've lost a loved one, gone through a major life change, or experienced a different kind of loss, the pain can feel overwhelming. At Head Start Counselling & Psychology, we offer supportive, evidence-based grief therapy to help you navigate this emotional terrain with care, compassion, and resilience.

Understanding Grief

Grief doesn’t follow a set timeline or fixed stages. It may involve a wide range of emotional and physical responses including:

• Sadness or emotional numbness
• Anger, guilt, or confusion
• Changes in sleep or appetite
• Difficulty concentrating
• Social withdrawal or disconnection
• Thoughts of hopelessness or loss of meaning

Everyone’s grief journey is different. There is no “right” way to grieve — only your way.

What Contributes to the Grieving Process?

Grief can be shaped by:

• The nature of the loss
• Past experiences with grief or trauma
• Personality traits and emotional resilience
• Level of social or family support
• Cultural, spiritual, or religious beliefs

These factors can influence how grief is experienced and expressed, and how long it lasts.

Finding Strength During Grief

Psychologist Rick Hanson describes three key types of strengths that support us through adversity:

• Internal Strengths – resilience, emotional insight, and the capacity to reflect
• External Strengths – support from family, friends, or professional networks
• Spiritual Strengths – meaning-making, connection to something larger, or personal beliefs

Recognising and using your strengths can support your healing process.

Practical Self-Care During Grief

Grieving is not just emotional — it affects the whole body. Self-care can include:

• Emotional care: talking to someone you trust, expressing feelings, allowing time to reflect
• Mental care: setting small goals, reducing pressure, and avoiding major life changes
• Physical care: prioritising rest, gentle movement, nutrition, and hydration

How We Can Help

At Head Start Counselling & Psychology, our grief therapists provide a compassionate space to support your healing. We help you:

• Process painful emotions at your own pace
• Learn strategies to manage distress or anxiety
• Rebuild meaning and purpose after loss
• Strengthen your support systems
• Explore personal, cultural, or spiritual beliefs around grief
• Four Ways Therapy Can Support You
• Emotional Expression – A safe space to express sadness, anger, guilt, or numbness
• Coping Strategies – Tailored tools to manage grief-related stress and regulate emotions
• Navigating Change – Support during major life transitions following a loss
• Strengthening Support – Rebuilding or deepening connections with others during a vulnerable time

Moving Forward

Grief is not something to "get over" — it is something we integrate and live alongside. With time, support, and self-compassion, healing becomes possible.

If you’re struggling with grief and would like support, Head Start Counselling & Psychology is here to walk alongside you.