Grief Therapy
Grief Therapy in Hampshire
Losing someone close to us is one of life’s most painful and disorienting experiences we can go through in life. Even when we think we’re prepared, the reality of the loss can feel overwhelming and unbearable.
Bereavement is the profound grief we feel after losing someone or something deeply meaningful — a spouse, family member, friend, colleague, or even a beloved pet. And it’s not limited to death. The end of a relationship, losing a job, or significant life changes can also trigger intense feelings of grief and loss.
Grief affects everyone differently. You may feel anger, loneliness, anxiety, numbness, or deep sadness — sometimes all at once. There’s no “right” way to grieve, but when these emotions feel too heavy to carry alone, they can impact your physical health, your ability to function, and your sense of identity.
My bereavement therapy offers a compassionate and steady space to help you process these emotions and begin to heal. Together, we’ll navigate your unique experience of grief and loss and support your path forward. Learn how bereavement therapy sessions with me can help you navigate this challenging transition.
Impact of Grief and Loss
Grief is a deeply personal experience and there is no single way to navigate it. One commonly referenced model is the seven stages of grief theory, which outlines a progression through:
- Shock and Disbelief
- Denial
- Guilt
- Anger and Bargaining
- Depression and Reflection
- Reconstruction
- Acceptance
While this model can be helpful in understanding some of the emotions that may arise, it’s important to remember that grief does not follow a straight line. You might experience some, all, or none of these stages — and in no particular order. Your grief is your own, and so is your healing.
The emotional impact of loss can feel overwhelming, leaving you disoriented, afraid, or disconnected from yourself and those around you. Many people also experience physical symptoms such as exhaustion, headaches, or unexplained aches and pains.
Therapy for grief and loss can offer a safe and compassionate space to explore these feelings and begin to make sense of your experience. As a trained Clinical Psychologist, I can support you in processing your grief at your own pace, helping you find a way to live with your loss while reconnecting with your sense of self.
Call or email me to schedule a 15-minute complimentary session to learn how I can help you.
Challenges Addressed in Bereavement Therapy
In our work together, we will gently explore the many layers of your grief and find ways to help you honour your loss while slowly rebuilding your life.
Some areas we may focus on include:
Grief can bring an intense emotional storm. I’ll help you make sense of these feelings and give space to the pain in a safe, supportive environment.
We’ll explore the significance of the relationship you’ve lost, helping you maintain a meaningful connection while also finding a new purpose in your life.
Whether it’s “I wish I had said more” or “I should’ve done things differently,” guilt often accompanies grief. We’ll work to process and reframe these thoughts with compassion.
Losing a loved one can deeply impact your sense of belonging. We’ll explore the experience of loneliness and work on rebuilding social and emotional connections.
You may feel lost or unsure of who you are without the person you’ve lost. Therapy will support you in rediscovering your identity, values, and direction moving forward.
How Dr McPhee’s Therapy for Grief and Loss Can Help
Grief therapy offers a safe and compassionate space to explore the emotions that can feel too overwhelming to manage alone. Whether you’re feeling shock, sadness, anger, or numbness, therapy gives you the freedom to express what you’re going through — without judgment or pressure to ‘move on.’
In the short term, I’m here to help you begin making sense of the emotional impact of your loss. Over time, bereavement therapy can support you in coming to terms with what’s happened, rebuilding your sense of self, and finding a way forward that honours your grief and your connection to what you’ve lost.
If you’re looking for support, you can work with me in-person at my clinic in Petersfield, or we can meet online — whichever feels right for you.
My Integrated Grief Therapy Approach
As your Clinical Psychologist, I’m here to support you in managing the emotional weight of your loss — especially on the days that feel hardest — so you can begin adjusting to a life changed by grief.
My bereavement therapy sessions help people of all ages work their way through the intense emotions that unbearable grief and loss bring. I use my knowledge and expertise in therapies rooted in evidence, including Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), to support you in my sessions.
CBT can help you understand the link between your thoughts, emotions and behaviors. When you are grieving, it is common to experience negative or self critical thoughts. CBT offers tools to gently challenge these patterns and support a more balanced emotional state, helping you cope day-to-day.
CFT helps you accept change and emotionally heal yourself by developing compassion, especially when you are feeling overwhelmed by loss and guilt. This therapy is particularly helpful in softening harsh self-judgements, allowing you to navigate grief with kindness, acceptance, and emotional resilience.
My Grief Therapy Process
Why Choose Dr McPhee for Bereavement Therapy?
With my Doctorate in Clinical Psychology and over 15 years of experience and advanced training, I bring a wealth of knowledge to guide you in managing the complexities of grief and loss.
I have combined knowledge of CFT and CBT, which I’ll use to get to the root of your beliefs and work with you to make long-lasting positive change. No two people experience grief and loss in the same way, so their therapy needs must be individualised too. My customised therapy for grief and loss ensures your individual needs are met.
I work with clients from diverse backgrounds, and my therapy is judgement-free, allowing you to feel comfortable and open to express yourself.
Therapy for Grief & Loss in Hampshire or Online
It’s necessary to give yourself time to grieve and process your loss. Everyone processes grief differently, so there’s no right or wrong way to feel the way you feel. It’s up to you to seek therapy for grief, but remember, it’s never too late.
As your Clinical Psychologist, I can guide you through this difficult time. In my bereavement therapy sessions, I offer you a compassionate space to process your feelings and emotions associated with your loss. For your convenience, I offer online and in-person sessions from my Hampshire clinic.
Call, email or fill out the form to get in touch with me today for a brief 15-minute complimentary consultation, to learn how we can work together to manage your grief.
Yes. Sometimes grief resurfaces or is never fully processed. Bereavement therapy can help even years after a loss.
Multiple losses can complicate grief. Therapy will help you make space for each relationship and emotion in a supportive way.
Grief is not linear. There is no “normal” timeframe, and ongoing grief is valid. Therapy helps when grief feels prolonged or stuck.
Absolutely. These are common yet difficult emotions in grief. Therapy can help you process, understand, and move through them.
Yes. Online sessions provide the same compassionate support and tailored approach from the comfort of your home.
Please schedule a complimentary 15-minute consultation to explore how we might work together.