Find a Grief Therapist

Understanding grief and how it can affect you

Grief is a natural response to loss. It can follow the death of someone close, the end of a relationship, loss of a job, or other significant life changes. You may experience a wide range of emotions including sadness, anger, guilt, relief, numbness and confusion. Grief can also affect your body - appetite, sleep and energy levels commonly change - and it can influence the way you relate to others and to everyday responsibilities.

There is no single right way to grieve and no fixed timetable. For some people the process moves through recognisable phases, while for others feelings return unpredictably around anniversaries and reminders. Cultural background, relationship to the person or thing lost, and previous experience of loss all shape how grief is felt and expressed. When feelings of loss are very intense or persist in a way that makes it hard for you to carry out daily life, speaking with a trained grief counsellor can be helpful.

Signs you might benefit from therapy for grief

You might consider seeking grief counselling if your day-to-day functioning is affected for an extended period, if you find it difficult to manage ongoing responsibilities, or if emotional pain becomes overwhelming. Persistent sleep disruption, ongoing intrusive thoughts or memories, social withdrawal, and intense fear of reminders are indicators that extra support could help. You may be struggling with complicated reactions such as a sense of disbelief that does not lift, or a pattern of avoiding emotions that leaves you feeling numb.

It is also common for grief to amplify existing struggles with anxiety or low mood. If relationships are under strain, if you have thoughts of harming yourself, or if you feel unable to keep yourself safe, it is important to contact emergency support or local services promptly. A counsellor can work with you to manage distress, develop coping strategies and identify when specialist services or medical assessment may be needed.

What to expect in grief therapy sessions

When you first contact a counsellor you can expect an initial assessment conversation. This assessment is an opportunity to explain the nature of your loss, what you are finding most difficult and what you hope to achieve in therapy. The counsellor will explain their approach, discuss practical details such as session length and fees, and outline how they handle notes and information sharing in line with professional codes of practice.

Ongoing sessions typically involve talking through your memories, feelings and reactions, and learning ways to manage intense emotions as they arise. Counselling may include exploring the meaning of the loss, identifying ways to remember and honour someone or something important to you, and building day-to-day routines that support recovery. Therapists may introduce grounding techniques and breathing exercises to help with overwhelming moments. Over time you and your counsellor will review progress and adapt the work to suit what helps you most.

Session format and practicalities

In the UK, individual sessions are usually around 50 to 60 minutes and may be weekly or on a different schedule depending on need and availability. Some people prefer short-term focused work, while others choose a longer, more open-ended approach. Group bereavement groups are another option and can provide peer support alongside therapeutic facilitation. Whatever format you choose, it is reasonable to expect clear information about fees, cancellation policies and how to contact the counsellor between sessions if necessary.

Common therapeutic approaches used for grief

Counsellors use a variety of approaches to support people through grief, tailoring methods to individual needs. Person-centred therapy places emphasis on listening, empathy and the therapeutic relationship so you can explore feelings at your own pace. Cognitive behavioural therapy, or CBT, can help if unhelpful thought patterns are maintaining distress, by teaching practical strategies to manage symptoms and reshape responses to reminders of loss.

For losses involving traumatic circumstances, some therapists may use trauma-informed methods such as EMDR - eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing - with appropriate assessment and consent. Narrative or meaning-centred approaches invite you to tell and reframe the story of the loss, supporting the integration of painful memories into life going forward. Compassion-focused techniques can help if self-criticism or guilt are prominent, and acceptance and commitment therapy, ACT, supports finding values-based ways to live with loss rather than trying to eliminate grief entirely.

It is useful to ask any counsellor about their training and experience in bereavement work, and whether they hold accreditation or registration with relevant bodies. Many grief specialists are registered with professional organisations such as the BACP, the HCPC, or the NCPS, and they engage in regular supervision and continuing professional development to maintain a high standard of practice.

How online therapy works for grief

Online therapy offers flexibility and access to a wider range of counsellors across the UK. You can speak with a counsellor by video call, telephone, or sometimes by secure messaging, allowing you to choose a mode that fits your needs. For grief work, being able to meet from a familiar environment can make it easier to be open, while video sessions preserve visual cues that are important for connection. Therapists will discuss practical arrangements with you before the first session - including technology checks and what to do if you become distressed during a remote session.

Online sessions can also be especially helpful if mobility, caregiving responsibilities, or geographical distance make face-to-face appointments difficult. Counsellors who work online will have plans in place to support you if you experience a crisis and to connect you with local services if necessary. If you prefer face-to-face contact, many counsellors offer a mix of in-person and online availability, so it is worth checking the options when you browse listings.

Tips for choosing the right grief counsellor

Finding a counsellor who feels like a good fit is important. Start by checking qualifications and registration - look for practitioners who are registered with recognised UK bodies such as the BACP, the HCPC or the NCPS, and who list bereavement or grief as a specialism. Read counsellor profiles to learn about their experience with different types of loss - for example, sudden death, long-term illness, perinatal loss, or the ending of close relationships - and whether they work with individuals, couples or families.

Consider practicalities such as session length, frequency, fees and whether online sessions are available. Think about cultural, faith and identity factors that matter to you and ask whether the counsellor has experience in those areas. An initial call or email exchange can give a sense of rapport and communication style - it is acceptable to try a few sessions and then decide whether to continue or to look for someone else. A good counsellor will be open to discussing goals and timelines and will explain how they measure progress.

Finally, trust your sense of fit. Therapy is a personal journey and the relationship with your counsellor matters as much as the specific approach. If you do not feel understood or supported, it is reasonable to seek another counsellor who better matches your needs. Grief counselling can help you find ways to live with loss, rebuild routines, and preserve meaningful connections while taking care of your wellbeing.

When you are ready, use the listings above to compare counsellors, read profiles and contact someone whose experience and approach feel right for you. Taking that first step can open up a space to process loss and to explore how to move forward at your own pace.