Bereavement Counselling & private therapy

[TangoCharlieWhiskey]

Hi

Does anyone have any ideas where I should start looking for a FACE TO FACE bereavement counsellor please?

I was with my parent in hospital when they died. It was far from the best circumstances and 2 months on I'm still struggling with flashbacks.

I've spoken with the local NHS bereavement team and they have signposted me to three charities, including cruise. None offer anything face to face and to be honest I'm extremely uncomfortable burdening a volunteer with what I need to discuss and certainly not over the phone or worse still by video call.

I'm looking for a professional who can see me for multiple sessions. Once we've covered my bereavement, I want to move on to other areas of my life ideally.

I thought I'd found someone local to me this week and then it transpires they want to do the sessions via video call. I have nowhere private nor soundproofed in my home and the idea of my children overhearing what their grandparent's final hours were like, doesn't bear thinking about.

I've done some googling and come up with very little. I just don't know where to start.

Any signposting/advice gratefully received.

I found my Dad's passing horribly traumatic OP, so I understand. I had very good bereavement counselling via Sue Ryder as my Dad spent some time in one of their hospices and they oversaw his end of life care. But looking, I think most of their services appear to be online.

Could you ask your GP if they can refer you to anyone? And if it's any consolation, time does help. I'm 18 months down the line and am slowly recovering from the horror of it all.

Where are you based?

Cambridgeshire

I am so sorry to hear about your dad's passing Lizzie. I am pleased that he was well cared for at a hospice - it is sad that we have to rely on charities to provide this great services. I do hope you found the counselling helpful.

Time is a great healer and previously this has been all I've relied on, but on this occasion I think I need to talk things through.

I don't have a great deal of contact with my GP and due to living in a family rural area many of those working at the practice live locally so its not going to be my first port of call...

I found a local one through googling. EMDR helped massively with traumatic grief. Good luck.

Thanks Meem,
I've not heard of this before and it even works with neurodiversity which is a plus.

It was highly recommended and respected by both GPs I had dealings with at my practice too.
My therapist said she does a lot of EMDR therapy with firefighters and police etc who have PTSD. Honestly, I was sceptical but desperate... I'm so glad I did it. Good luck. You can feel better xxx

Thanks everyone. It’s been reassuring to hear others journey through grief & trauma. I’ve hopefully got my first chat with a therapist next week.

For those looking to take the private route, I’ve found this website which has been really useful.

https://www.counselling-directory.org.uk

@TangoCharlieWhiskey Im sorry that I don’t have any suggestions, just that I also tried Cruse and didn’t find them that useful for the same reasons you gave. In the end I went to a private therapist as face to face seemed a better fit for me personally.

I couldn’t go past this post without commenting something though. I’ve recently lose a parent in very similar circumstances, and it’s so difficult.

I get you with the whole flashbacks situation, it’s the same for me too. Hope you get the support you need and big hugs from me. Stay strong!

My mum got counselling through a hospice, even though my dad died in hospital. She still attends a support group 3 years on.

It might be worth contacting one local to you.