What Does A Bereavement Counsellor Do?
As a bereavement counsellor, I give you the time and space to talk about your loss and express your grief in a safe environment. I am bound by the ethical guidelines of the BACP which is the UK governing body for counsellors. Confidentiality, empathy and listening are a part of our working relationship. Bereavement counselling can help you to work through your grief and aims to help you explore your emotions.
Therapy is not about telling you what to do or about giving you advice about what to do next. Sessions work on helping you to understand yourself better so that you can be empowered to make positive changes in your life.
First Step To Working With A Bereavement Counsellor
The first step to us working together is for us to find out where you are and make a plan for where you want to be. We do this in an assessment session where you will be asked about your loss. At the first meeting, you will likely be asked about your loss, about your relationship to the deceased, and about your own life now that your loved one has passed.
Answering these questions often means tapping into raw emotions such as sadness or anger, so emotional outbursts should not be censored. Crying and yelling may come naturally during bereavement counselling and certainly will not offend the counsellor. Sessions are structured to allow you to explore your emotions without guilt or censorship, so you have the chance to be fully heard.
How Long Is A Session?
After the assessment, we will meet weekly for 50 minutes sessions, You may say that you can not imagine talking for 50 minutes every week or you may say that it is not long enough. Whatever your point of view is, having this safe, confidential space and time to talk every week. Is how I will support you through your grief and towards a happier future.
How Long Do I Have To See You For?
Everyone experiences grief in a different way and also everyone needs a different amount of time to achieve balance in their lives. In our assessment, we will decide on an individual session plan to support you to achieve the results that you need to move forward. I will be there for as long as you need me to be. As a person-centered Counsellor, I do not make myself the expert in your pain and loss, I can offer you empathic and understanding without judgement.
What Is A Session Like?
Usually when two people are having a conversation, while one person is speaking the other is already thinking of response; and waiting for their turn to speak. Therefore they are not actively listening. In our sessions, I will follow your lead, by taking the time to listen to you actively. I listen for the feelings behind your words and then reflect those feelings back to you. I will listen to not only your words but also the tone and body language used while speaking.
I listen but do not judge you at any time, this can be a reassuring feeling to have the peace of mind to be able to share openly without judgement. I ascribe to the BACP ethical guidelines knowing and understanding what this means can be very liberating for clients. I will ask open questions, and may at times repeat what you have said, to check my understanding while allowing room for silence. Giving you space to think and connect to what you are feeling.
If you found this useful, why not check out the benefits of counselling or read about Marlene. If you need some support, you can book an appointment with me today.
