Therapy for Bereavement by Suicide.
Losing a loved one to suicide is an incredibly painful and complex experience. It’s not just a loss, but often a traumatic event. The trauma, suddenness, and unanswered questions often feel overwhelming, making this kind of bereavement incredibly complex and difficult to navigate. The trauma experienced can make it difficult to begin mourning, and can profoundly impact your mental health and daily life. You might feel profound sadness, confusion, guilt or anger. You may be left questioning if there was anything you could have done, or feeling abandoned by the person who died. These are common thoughts and feelings, but they can feel hard to talk about, leaving you feeling even more isolated in your grief.
If you are thinking about suicide, please contact one of the support services on my Resources page - they are ready to listen and help you.
Traumatic Bereavement
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When a loved one dies you might experience all sorts of very big and painful thoughts and feelings. A traumatic bereavement - like a bereavement by suicide - adds additional unique challenges. You might feel shock, anger, confusion, guilt or disbelief. It can also bring about a huge sense of helplessness, or a struggle to make sense of your loved one's suicide. Trauma can manifest in many ways. You might experience physical symptoms, anxiety, panic, flashbacks, nightmares, or intrusive thoughts.​ You might feel numb, disassociated or disconnected from others during this time. Friends and family may not fully understand the complexity of your traumatic grief, or you may find it difficult to express what you are feeling. This isolation can make the burden of traumatic bereavement feel even heavier. But please know, you don't have to go through this alone.
Therapy for Bereavement by Suicide
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My experience in suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention has given me a deep understanding of the unique challenges that come with bereavement by suicide. In therapy with people bereaved by suicide, I focus on providing a safe, supportive space where you can explore all your feelings without fear of judgement. Together, we’ll move at a pace that feels right for you, helping you navigate the trauma and grief in a way that’s gentle, safe and compassionate.
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Processing the Trauma
Coming to terms with the shock of suicide can take time. We can work together to process what's happened, and process the trauma.
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Exploring Complex Emotions
Traumatic grief often involves complex feelings such as guilt, anger, or abandonment are common, yet difficult to express. In a non-judgemental space, we can explore these feelings, giving you room to understand them.
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Grieving and Rebuilding
When someone you love dies by suicide, it can be hard to imagine life ever moving forward. We can work together to find a way for you to live with your grief. ​​​
Arts Psychotherapies and Traumatic bereavement by Suicide
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Dramatherapy can be especially helpful for traumatic grief. I can support you to use creative approaches to help you explore and process your traumatic bereavement safely.
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Processing Trauma Safely
Bereavement by suicide can feel overwhelming, and often too raw or intense to engage with directly. Dramatherapy can help you process the trauma at a safe distance, using creative methods that help contain and manage the emotional intensity so you don't feel overwhelmed.
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When Words Aren't Enough or Possible
You may be struggling to communicate how you feel verbally - it can feel too hard to put it into words. Dramatherapy can help you find non-verbal ways to help you to express yourself, gain insight, and process your trauma and grief in ways that feel less overwhelming than directly talking about it.
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Working with the Body
Trauma and grief manifest physically, leading to tension, anxiety, pain, or feeling disconnected from your body. Dramatherapy can gently and safely help you reconnect to your body. Embodied approaches can help you process trauma, shock, and grief that is stored and stuck in the body.
You don’t have to go through this painful time alone. Wherever you are in your journey, I am here to support you.
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Therapy for bereavement by suicide can often be longer-term. Each session is focused on providing you with the support you need as you work through your trauma and grief. Together, we will address the complexities of your experience in a way that feels right for you.
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Please get in touch if you would like to arrange support with your suicide bereavement journey ​or book a free 15-minute introductory chat at a time to suit you. You can expect a warm, non-judgmental, professional, and down-to-earth welcome. ​​I look forward to accompanying you on your journey.