Grief Counselling

When loss leaves you feeling overwhelmed, isolated, or unable to move forward, our compassionate grief counselling can help you navigate the complex emotions of bereavement and rediscover hope for the future.

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Find Your Way Through Loss with Compassionate Grief Counselling

Grief is a natural response to loss, and it’s a process of coming to terms with what has changed in your life. At Breathe Counselling Perth, we understand that everyone experiences and expresses grief in their own way, which is shaped by family background, culture, life experiences, personal values, and intrinsic beliefs.

Whether you’re mourning the death of a loved one, need trauma therapy, processing the end of a relationship, coping with job loss, or grieving any significant life change, our experienced grief counsellors provide a safe, non-judgemental space where your feelings are validated, and your journey is honoured.

Grief counselling is specially designed to help individuals, families, and children constructively cope with loss. During sessions, grief counsellors actively listen to what you’re going through, help you identify which stage of grief you’re experiencing, and support you in developing coping strategies and techniques. Counsellors also provide a safe avenue for people to discuss their feelings and emotions, thereby assisting the grieving process. We recognise that seeking support takes courage, and we’re here to walk alongside you as you navigate this difficult time

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Grief Counsellors

FAQs - Grief Counselling

What is the difference between grief counselling and grief therapy? +
Grief counselling involves helping people facilitate uncomplicated, or normal, grief to a healthy adaptation within a reasonable time frame, while grief therapy involves more specialised techniques for treating people with abnormal or complicated grief reactions. Most people experiencing typical bereavement benefit from grief counselling, which provides emotional support, validation, and practical coping strategies. Grief therapy is recommended when grief becomes prolonged, intensely disruptive, or is accompanied by other mental health concerns such as depression or anxiety.
How do I know if I need grief counselling? +
If grief is too overwhelming and is disrupting your ability to function daily, it's best to seek professional help. Signs that grief counselling may help include: persistent sadness lasting weeks or months, difficulty completing everyday tasks, withdrawing from social activities, experiencing intrusive thoughts, physical symptoms like insomnia or changes in appetite, feelings of intense guilt or anger that don't fade, or if you're having thoughts of self-harm. It's never too early nor too late to seek help; however, the earlier you seek support, the sooner you can build strategies to help you cope.
How long does grief counselling take? +
There's no normal duration for grief; it may take months or years to accept the loss of a loved one, though most people can recover from loss with the help of a great social support network and healthy coping mechanisms. The length of grief counselling varies greatly depending on your individual circumstances, the nature of your loss, and your personal healing journey. Some people find relief in a few sessions, whilst others benefit from ongoing support over several months. At Breathe Counselling, we work at your pace, ensuring you receive the support you need for as long as you need it.
What happens during a grief counselling session? +
During grief counselling sessions at Breathe Counselling, you'll work with a qualified, compassionate counsellor in a confidential environment where you can openly express your emotions. Your counsellor will guide you to talk about the loss, who the person was to you, and the circumstances surrounding the death. Sessions focus on helping you understand your grief, process difficult emotions, develop healthy coping strategies, and gradually adjust to life after loss. Your counsellor may use evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), mindfulness techniques, or other therapeutic modalities tailored to your needs.
Can grief counselling help with losses other than death? +
Absolutely. Whilst grief counselling is commonly associated with bereavement, grief may be more broadly understood as shaped by any significant life-altering loss, such as divorce, home foreclosure, or job loss. At Breathe Counselling Perth, we support people grieving many types of losses, including relationship breakdowns, miscarriage or infertility, loss of health or independence, pet loss, job redundancy, or any significant life transition. All forms of grief are valid, and we're here to help you navigate whatever loss you're experiencing.
Is it normal to still be grieving after a year? +
Yes, absolutely. There's no normal duration for grief; it may take months or years to accept the loss of a loved one. Nonetheless, most people can indeed recover from loss with the help of a great social support network and healthy coping mechanisms. The difficult periods should become less intense and shorter over time, but it takes time to work through a loss. Even years after a loss, especially at special events such as a family wedding or the birth of a child, you may still experience a strong sense of grief. There's no "right" timeline for grief, and seeking support at any stage is both normal and beneficial.
Where in Perth do you offer grief counselling? +
Our team at Breathe Counselling offers evidence-based approaches tailored to your unique needs, with convenient locations across Perth, including Perth CBD, West Perth, Albany, Joondalup, Rockingham, Midland, and online counselling options for those throughout Western Australia.
Do you offer grief counselling for children and families? +
Yes. At Breathe Counselling Perth, we provide grief counselling for individuals, couples, children, and families. Children grieve differently from adults. Some bounce back quickly; others may experience prolonged distress. Our child-friendly approach provides a safe, supportive environment to help young people explore their emotions and adjust to loss. We also offer family counselling to help families navigate grief together, recognising that each family member may grieve differently and need support in understanding one another's experiences.