End-of-life and Grief Counselling

Understanding, supporting, and healing.

End of life and grief counselling is a crucial and compassionate service that helps individuals and families navigate the emotional and psychological challenges associated with dying and loss. This type of counselling provides support, guidance, and understanding during one of the most difficult times in a person’s life. It aims to offer comfort, reduce suffering, and promote healing in the face of mortality and bereavement.

End-of-Life Counselling

Facing the end of life can evoke a wide range of emotions, including fear, sadness, anger, and regret. A qualified End-of-Life Doula, I combine this education and experience, along with my own life experience and further study to provide a safe space for individuals to express these feelings and work through them. Through provision of client-centred care, validation of emotions and empathetic listening, clients are supported to process their experience and find a sense of calm.

Many people struggle with spiritual and existential questions as they approach the end of life. I aim to support individuals in exploring their beliefs, finding meaning in their experiences, and addressing any unresolved issues. This support can be particularly important for those who are struggling with questions of faith, purpose, or the afterlife.

End-of-life Counselling also a great support for families, friends and carers who are supporting the individual and working through their own emotions, challenges and feelings of loss.

Grief Counselling

Grief counselling supports individuals who are coping with the loss of a loved one. Grieving is a deeply personal and unique process, and I offer tailored support to help clients navigate their journey of bereavement.

A key aspect of grief counselling is encouraging clients to express their emotions. Bottling up grief can lead to prolonged suffering and emotional distress. I aim to provide a safe and non-judgmental environment where clients can share their feelings, memories, and fears. This process of emotional expression is vital for healing and moving forward.

Grief counselling helps with development of healthy coping strategies to manage loss. Techniques are individualised to each client and include a range of therapeutic activities including nature-based and narrative therapy. I work together with clients to equip them with practical tools which empower them to navigate through their unique journey with grief in a constructive and healing way.

FAQ’s

We have put together a list of our most frequently asked questions.

What is end-of-life counselling?

End of life counselling focuses on individuals who are approaching the end of their lives due to terminal illness, age, or other conditions. The primary goal is to help these individuals find peace, acceptance, and meaning as they face their final days. Counsellors support clients with their emotional, spiritual, and psychological needs, ensuring that they feel supported and heard.

End-of-life counselling is also very helpful for family members or friends who are in the process of losing a loved one.

Does everyone experience grief the same way?

People experience grief in their own, unique way. We may have feelings of confusion, sadness, anger, guilt and/or denial. We may even withdraw from our friends and family and find we are unable to eat or sleep, and could experience physical pain. These responses are all very normal and we may experience some or all of them.

Will you tell me what to do or how I should be feeling?

I will not tell you what to do or how you should be feeling. You will instead be supported to understand and work through your grief.

Can you see me if I have a mental health plan from my GP?

Your mental health plan provides you with a Medicare rebate option with eligible allied health professionals. I can assist you, but at the moment counselling is unfortunately unable to be claimed back through Medicare, meaning fees would be payable.

Sessions are either online or walk and talk. What about confidentiality?

The same confidentiality requirements and assurance apply as with in-office sessions.

Can I record my session?

Your sessions will be the same as if they are conducted in an office. In this situation, they would not be recorded and for the same reasons, recording our walk and talk or telehealth sessions is not permitted.

Do I have to be alone?

For every session, you would be expected to be alone and without the potential for disturbance. If your session is online, you would need to be in a safe, quiet space, free from disturbance. You would also be required to wear a headset or earbuds.