Grief and Bereavement During the Summer
Bereavement and loss can happen at any time of year. Summer, with its cultural expectations of sunshine, holidays, social gatherings, and happiness, can be particularly difficult to navigate when you are living with grief. The season may bring reminders of holidays shared with the person who has died, or highlight the loss of future adventures […]
Why More People Are Seeking Counselling — And How Support Is Evolving
Life feels heavier for many people right now. Stress levels are rising, burnout is becoming more common, and more individuals are navigating grief, trauma, and emotional overwhelm. As a result, counselling has become an essential source of support — not just during crises, but as a way to maintain emotional wellbeing and build resilience. In […]
Supporting Men Through Early Baby Loss
The loss of a baby is utterly overwhelming — physically, emotionally, and psychologically. There are often no words for the emptiness and grief that follow. Understandably, much of the immediate attention focuses on the mother’s medical and emotional needs. In this, a father’s grief can be overlooked. Supporting fathers through baby loss - Counselling Directory
Discovering secrets after a death – ways to cope
When someone dies grief can present itself in so many different ways. There is no right or wrong way, or timescale, it is a unique experience for each of us. Grief can be overwhelming, exhausting, with wide ranging emotions including sadness, anger, guilt, shock and numbness. But gradually most people find they are able to […]
Counselling Student Reflections – South Staffordshire College
I recently had the privilege of being invited by Osahon Orchard, my amazing, supportive former tutor, to South Staffordshire College to talk with counselling students about my journey through studying, qualifying and moving into Private Practice. Osahon is an experienced counsellor, supervisor and the best tutor I have ever had. It was also a privilege to share the space with my peer Kevin Talbot. Kevin is based in Tamworth, works in person and online with a specialism in male centred therapy.
Snowdrops and the Quiet Return of Hope
Every January, when the days still feel heavy and the light seems reluctant to return, something small and determined begins to push through the cold earth. Snowdrops — delicate, white, easily overlooked — appear long before the world feels ready for them. They don’t wait for warmth, or certainty, or perfect conditions. They simply rise. […]
Grief Awareness Week – Growing with Grief
Grief holds no boundaries, no timescales, no right or wrong emotions. All of us will encounter grief at some time in our lives. Loss is not only with death. Grief can be experienced with the end of a relationship, loss of health, moving home, retirement, children leaving home to name a few. Yet bereavement, grief, is still a conversation many people avoid for fear of not knowing what to say, or of upsetting the bereaved person further. Grief can be an isolating, lonely place, but talking about the loss, acknowledging their grief, listening, can be a huge comfort. National Grief […]
Coping with grief at Christmas
Christmas is enjoyed by many for its Christian beliefs, or as a time of reconnecting with family and friends, experiencing the joy of giving and receiving of gifts. For the bereaved Christmas can be especially difficult. Whether the bereavement is recent, or historic, Christmas can worsen or trigger memories of grief. If you are grieving, or supporting someone who is, you may find this short blog helpful.
More busting grief myths
This is my second article about grief myths; common misconceptions around grief that can get in the way of healing after loss (my first article can be found here: Blog – Counselling with Christine ). By continuing to bust these myths my wish is that you find some comfort, hope and peace after loss. Loss and grief are something that all of us will experience at some point in our lives. It can’t be avoided. Myth: There is something wrong with me as I sometimes see, hear or sense the person who died. Reality: Hearing, seeing or sensing the person […]
Unexpected outcomes of using DNA Genetic Testing
Over 30 million people worldwide (source BMC Psychiatry) are estimated to have taken a DNA test. For thousands of people DNA testing is seen as a fun way to discover more about their family history, physical traits, hidden traits and finding other family members. However, there can be significant, unforeseen, consequences to DNA, genetic testing. You can read more about this in my recent article on Counselling Directory.
How does bereavement impact on sex and intimacy?
There is still a reluctance for many to openly talk about grief. Talking about sex can feel awkward too. Add sex and grief together and it may become impossible to talk about them in relation to each other. Yet death can impact on a bereaved person’s sex drive, trigger feelings of sexual loss, a fear […]
Busting grief myths
Loss and grief are something that all of us will experience at some point in our lives. It can’t be avoided. There are common misconceptions around grief that can get in the way of healing after loss. These myths frequently emerge in my counselling room, as clients begin to explore and express their grief. My […]