Grief encompasses the emotional journey of processing any form of loss, whether it’s physical, emotional, or relational. This experience varies in intensity and duration, often including feelings of sadness, loneliness, emptiness, and the sense of losing cherished memories or the warmth of love. If you’re in Melbourne and seeking support through grief and loss counselling, you’re in the right place. Our psychologists are experienced in the stages of grief and loss and provide compassionate grief and loss counselling and grief and loss counseling services. We explore effective strategies through counselling either online or in person to help you navigate this challenging process.
Grief and loss and when to seek support
Our experienced Melbourne psychologists can support you through various types of grief and loss including:
- Death of a loved one
- Relationship breakup or divorce
- Job loss
- Loss of a home
- Loss of a pet
- Illness or disability
- Major life changes
- Loss of dreams or aspirations
- Trauma or tragedy
- End of life transitions
What Are the Signs of Grief and How to Recognise How Grief and Loss Present in Daily Life?
- Feeling sad, tearful, angry, and overwhelmed
- Withdrawing from activities that used to be important
- Experiencing restlessness, irritability, and fear
- Struggling with concentration, decision-making
- Struggle forming new relationships after a significant loss
- Feeling trapped in a repeating cycle of negative thoughts and emotions
Therapy is the bridge that carries you from the depths of grief to the shores of healing, helping you find strength in vulnerability and resilience in the face of loss.
Counselling for Grief: How to understand the process of grief and loss ?
Denial Stage:
The denial stage in grief and loss is when the person who is grieving or lost continues to deny that they are hurting or that their loved one is gone. They may continue to act as if everything is still normal or try to repair or rebuild relationships that were once strong. We are in a state of shock and denial. As you accept the reality of the loss, you are beginning the healing process. You are becoming stronger, and the denial is beginning to fade away.
Anger Stage:
The anger stage in grief and loss is when a person becomes frustrated, angry, and disorganised. Anger is one of the first stages of grief and loss after denial. People may become irritable and act out in anger, often towards people they care about. They may be more aggressive, critical, and resentful. You may notice that you lash out with verbal attacks because someone riding attend the funeral, someone didn’t send you a message after a relationship breakdown, or perhaps maintains a friendship with both people. Anger is a normal response, and the more you allow yourself to feel anger; it will dissipate. These feelings may last for a short while, but eventually, the person will begin to feel sadness and despair.
Bargaining Stage:
We become lost in a maze of “If only…” or “What if…” statements. We remain in the past, trying to negotiate our way out of the hurt.
Depression Stage:
In the depression stage of grief and loss, you may feel numb, empty, and unable to function. You may have thoughts of death and loneliness. You may find it hard to make decisions or take action. You may feel restless and have difficulty sleeping.
Acceptance Stage:
We start to listen to our needs; we move, we change, we grow, and we evolve. We may start to reach out to others and become involved in their lives. We invest in our friendships and our relationship with ourselves. We begin to live again, but we cannot do so until we have given grief its time. Acceptance is often confused with being “all right” or “OK” with what has happened. This is not the case.
How to Best Manage the Emotional Impact of Grief and Loss with Counselling for Grief?
There is no single answer to this question, as the best way to deal with grief and loss is unique to each individual. Some general tips that may be helpful include being proactive in your grief and loss counselling or personal grieving process. Start by acknowledging what you’re feeling and writing out your thoughts and feelings. Then try to live as fully as possible in the present, focusing on the things that are enjoyable and meaningful in your life. Seeking support from friends, family, and professionals experienced in the stages of grief and loss is important, as is maintaining your usual routine.
Allow yourself time to reflect and then gradually get back to your day-to-day responsibilities, which can be helpful at times. Maintaining a positive outlook during grief and loss counseling can also be beneficial. It can help to remind yourself that there is always hope and that, eventually, life will return to a new normal. Talking openly about your feelings through grief and loss counselling can provide relief—whether with a friend, family member, or therapist.
How a Psychologist Experienced in Grief Counselling Melbourne Can Help?
Grief represents a deeply personal emotional process of coping with loss—whether physical, emotional, or relational. Recognising the signs of grief is essential to understanding its impact on your mental health. A psychologist can help by providing a safe space to process your emotions, develop coping strategies, and support your healing journey. If you are looking to find a psychologist Melbourne who is experienced in grief counselling, we can provide expert support and tailored strategies to help you navigate this difficult journey. Our skilled psychologists offer compassionate, evidence-based counselling both in person and via telehealth counselling for your convenience. Whether you’re searching for a grief counsellor Melbourne, a grief counsellor near me, or an experienced grief counselor, we are here to guide and support you every step of the way.
FAQ
What is grief counselling and how can it help me?
Grief counselling is a specialised therapeutic service that supports individuals through the complex emotional process following loss. A psychologist helps you understand and validate your feelings, learn healthy coping strategies, and gradually rebuild your life after the death of a loved one or other significant losses such as divorce or major life transitions. This professional support can reduce feelings of isolation, depression, anxiety, and help prevent prolonged grief disorder.
Who should consider grief counselling in Melbourne?
Grief counselling is beneficial for anyone experiencing significant emotional distress from a loss, whether recent or from many years ago. This includes people dealing with bereavement, miscarriage, pet loss, or difficult life changes like separation or career loss. If grief is interfering with your daily functioning, relationships, or mental wellbeing, seeking support from a psychologist experienced in grief counselling in Melbourne can help you process your emotions in a safe and supportive environment.
How long does grief counselling usually last?
The length of grief counselling varies widely depending on the individual’s unique experience and healing needs. Some clients find relief after a few sessions, while others benefit from ongoing weekly therapy over several months to fully work through their grief. Psychologists tailor the counselling approach and duration to your goals, symptom severity, and progress, ensuring the most effective support for your recovery journey.
What types of grief does Positive Wellbeing Psychology support?
At Positive Wellbeing Psychology, we provide grief counselling for a wide range of loss experiences. This includes bereavement after the death of family members or friends, loss through divorce or relationship breakdown, miscarriage and perinatal loss, pet loss, and other major life changes such as job loss or moving interstate. Our Melbourne-based psychologists understand the unique emotional challenges of each type of grief and use evidence-based therapeutic approaches to help you heal.
Can I access grief counselling online if I’m outside Melbourne?
Yes. If you have a valid Mental Health Care Plan from your GP, Medicare rebates apply. Many private health insurers may also offer partial reimbursement for sessions related to social anxiety treatment in Melbourne.
How Positive Wellbeing Psychology Can Help?
At Positive Wellbeing Psychology, our experienced Melbourne psychologists have a special interest in helping individuals manage grief and loss and guiding individuals offering guidance through the stages of grief using evidence-based approaches.
Through the compassionate support of a psychologist, you can transform the pain of grief and loss into a journey of healing and resilience, finding the strength to move forward with hope and purpose.
Make an Appointment
At Positive Wellbeing Psychology, we offer flexible appointments with our psychologists during the day, evening, or weekends, both in-person at our Melbourne psychology practice or online via telehealth.
Our team of psychologists hold full registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and adhere to ethical guidelines as mandated by the Psychologists Registration Board and Australian Psychological Society. Our clinical practice is grounded in evidence-based treatment approaches to support individuals in managing grief and loss.