Grief Counselling

Experienced a loss of a loved one and feeling sad, empty, and uncertain about the future?

Speak to one of our counsellors or psychologists today

Loss and grief

We all face losses in our life and having a period of time where we grief, we might feel sad, numb, guilt, and even anger. This is normal and gradually, these feelings ease, and we can accept the loss and move forward. However, for some people, feelings of loss are cause them high levels of distress, impair functioning, and don’t improve even after time passes. This is known as complicated grief, sometimes called persistent complex bereavement disorder. In complicated grief, painful emotions are so long lasting and severe that you have trouble recovering from the loss and resuming your own life.

If you are considering grief counselling in Singapore, you have come to the right place. Here is everything you need to know about the process and what you can expect at each stage along the way.

What Is Grief Counselling?

When you talk about grief counselling, people’s first question is often: is there therapy for grief? Many people think that grief is a natural process that time will cure. And, indeed, this is sometimes true for some people. Nonetheless, grief is an extraordinarily complicated process and it’s even harder when you try to face it alone. Mental health professionals can teach helpful techniques and offer useful insights that make a world of difference.

Bereavement counselling, or grief counselling, is a type of therapy focused on the unique needs of people experiencing loss. It provides a safe space where people can freely explore their emotions. You can express raw feelings and unedited thoughts that you might not want to share with your friends and family. Not only is it therapeutic to openly communicate, but experts have a level of insight that your average person will lack.

Examples of losses in life

Death of a loved one, friend, pet
Ending of a relationship (Divorce, break up)
Loss of employment or business
Having a child that might have developmental disabilities
Any major changes in life or people around you

Everyone goes through grief differently. The order and timing of the grieving process varies from person to person. There are 5 stages of grief according to the Kubler-Ross model (Five Stages of Grief by Elisabeth Kubler Ross & David Kessler).

Denial
Anger
Bargaining
Depression
Acceptance

These stages are not linear and might not follow a pattern. You might jump from one stage to another at any given point of time.

You might be experiencing complicated grief if it has been months or years after your loss and the loss still feels as raw, as painful as before. In normal grief, the symptoms of grief slowly reduce over time to a level where it is acceptable and you are able to function regularly in your day to day life.

Signs and symptoms of complicated grief:

Deep feelings of sadness, pain and rumination over the loss of your loved one
Focus on little other than the loss
Excessive avoidance of reminders of the loss (person, place, event)
Intense and persistent longing of the object of loss (person, place, event)
Problems accepting the loss
Numbness or detachment
Bitterness about your loss
Loss of meaning or purpose in life
Troubles carrying out normal routines
Isolating from others or withdrawing from social activities
Experience depression, deep sadness, guilt or self-blame
Believe that you did something wrong or could have prevented the loss

If you notice yourself of someone you know experiencing these symptoms, we want to help. Reach out to us to find out how our therapists can work together with you in processing and healing from the loss today.

Getting Started with Couples Therapy in Singapore

Is grief counselling worth it? You probably already know the answer to this. Your health, including your mental health, is your greatest resource. It is vital to take care of yourself and utilise all of the resources available on your journey to mental health.

Ready to feel like yourself again? Now is the time to get started with a therapist who can put you on the path to better mental health. Reach out at +65 8757 8049 or connect on WhatsApp via +65 8757 8049. You can also email team@akindplace.co or visit our office at 63B Temple Street, Singapore 058608.

Grief counsellors

Ms. Su Yunting, Professional Counsellor

Masters in Counselling
Member of Singapore Association for Counselling
Certified Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) Practitioner
BSc in Psychology

Languages: English, Mandarin (华语), Cantonese

Dr. Tanaphong Uthayaratana (Mind), Counselling Psychologist

Counselling Psychologist
PhD in Counseling Psychology
Member of Thailand Counseling Psychology Association

Languages: English, Mandarin (华语), Cantonese

Ms. Pragati Pritmani, Professional Counsellor

Masters in Counselling
Member of Singapore Association for Counselling
Certificate of English Language Teaching to Adults (CELTA)
BSc in Physiology

Languages: English, Hindi

How Do I Know If I Need Grief Counseling?

When you are deciding if grief counselling is right for you, there is one essential thing to keep in mind: counselling is always beneficial. Talking to a mental health professional doesn’t mean that you’ve failed to deal with your emotions. It is entirely the opposite. Enlisting professional help allows you to manage your mental health in the best way possible.

Think of it like going to a personal trainer. Of course, you can improve your physical health and fitness on your own to a varying degree of success. Choosing to work with a personal trainer, however, will ensure that you start on the right path and learn techniques that you can use for a lifetime. Likewise, a grief counsellor will help you develop healthy coping techniques that you can utilise throughout your lifetime.

While grief counselling is always a good idea, there are times when it becomes imperative. When you are coping with the loss of someone particularly close to you or if you’ve already been facing depression, it is especially important to seek out grief counselling.

To help you decide if grief counselling is vital for you, here are a few signs to look out for:

Your anguish interferes with your daily life.
You feel an overwhelming sense of guilt or sorrow.
It’s hard to imagine carrying on with your life.
Your pain causes problems in your other relationships.

How Long Should You Wait for Bereavement Counselling?

There is no right or wrong time to start grief counselling. Contrary to some assumptions, dealing with bereavement can become more important as time goes on. During those first few days and weeks, you are likely to be busy with the practical side of things. From making arrangements to meeting with family and friends, the early days can be overwhelmingly chaotic.

After everyone goes home, it is time to move forward into a so-called new normal. For most people, this is when things get difficult. You’re not busy with all of the logistics that come along with a loss and even the most supportive friends and family members have gone back to their routines. This is the time when you need to start processing your emotions on your own and finding a new rhythm in your life. And, this is one of the best times to start bereavement counselling.

For some people, the grief doesn’t truly hit until later. Sometimes you are so caught up with the hustle and bustle of everyday life that it’s not until years down the line that you realise you didn’t stop and make the time to process your grief. This is another good time to get started with grief therapy sessions.

Ultimately, it’s never too late or early to get started. The important thing is to pay attention to the way you feel and nurture yourself.

Which Counselling Approach Is Best for Grief?

Every loss is unique. Your special bond and this particular moment in your life create a circumstance that requires true care and attention. That is why our therapists work to develop a one-of-a-kind approach for each person and their specific circumstances.

The loss of a loved one doesn’t occur in a vacuum. You may have already been dealing with anxiety or depression before your grief. It is crucial to look at mental health holistically and take into account all of your unique needs to develop an approach that works for you.

We know that therapy of any kind is not one-size-fits-all. The relationship between you and your mental healthcare professional is a very personal one. You must have a good rapport with each other and a clear understanding of the goals of therapy. That’s why we offer introductory 15-minute chats with our therapists. Rather than beginning therapy with a stranger, you can get to know each of our therapists and decide which is the right fit for you.