How to find counselling for bereaved parent

[loveandroses]

My mother died all of a sudden about a year ago. My father, who is in his 70s, is still inconsolably miserable. I just spoke to him for an hour and a half where he went over, yet again, his terrible memories of the day she died, all the negative things that happened to my mum in her life and so on. My mum was a wonderful and happy person but her death has destroyed my father.

Is there any service that could help him? He isn't keen to accept help but I don't want to accept that this will be his life forever now. It is also damaging me and my relationship with DH.

He has a good pension so can afford to go private but I have no idea what might be available.

Isn't Cruse for the bereaved?

www.cruse.org.uk/

CRUSE is free but long waiting lists. (6 months+) Age Uk often offer free counselling for over 65’s, you can self refer.
Silver line might be good if he just needs to chat. Other than that IAPT/healthy minds for your area., you can Google this and he can self refer or you can refer with his consent. Or the other option is paying privately.

@Sweetbabyrays How can I find someone good that is private? At this point I am happy to pay myself if it is going to help. I fear waiting 6 months.

Try the BACP website for your area and look for someone who has trained in Person Centred theory but with some knowledge of other modalities including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). They obviously have to have experience of bereavement counselling too but being Person Centred will allow your father to offload to start with.

I’m sorry for your loss, and the extra stress this is causing you