Face to Face Grief and Loss Counselling Newcastle: Understanding Grief, Coping with Loss, and Accessing Grief Therapy in Newcastle

Understanding Grief and Accessing Grief and Loss Counselling Newcastle

Introduction: The Importance of Grief Counselling in Newcastle

Grief is a natural part of life, but navigating the pain of loss can sometimes feel like a lonely journey and the path to healing can be overwhelming. This article explores understanding the different types of grief, practical coping strategies, and guidance for finding a face-to-face grief counsellor in Newcastle.

Understanding Grief: What Is It and How Does It Feel?

Grief is a deeply personal response to loss. While it’s most commonly associated with the death of a loved one, grief can arise after any significant change, such as a relationship breakdown, job loss, or moving away from home. Everyone’s grief experience is unique; there’s no right or wrong way to grieve, and no set timeline. Many people are familiar with the idea of the “stages of grief”—denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. However, these stages aren’t always linear. You might find yourself moving back and forth between emotions, or experiencing them all at once. The important thing to remember is whatever you feel is valid.

There are several types of grief, each with its own characteristics and challenges. Anticipatory grief is experienced before an actual loss occurs, often when someone receives a terminal illness diagnosis for a loved one. Normal grief, sometimes referred to as common grief, is the natural and healthy process that begins after a loss and gradually lessens in intensity, allowing individuals to adapt and continue with their lives. Complicated grief, also known as prolonged grief disorder, is a persistent and overwhelming form that does not ease over time and can significantly impact daily life and functioning, sometimes relating to the traumatic circumstances surrounding the loss. Disenfranchised grief arises when a person cannot openly express their feelings of loss because society does not recognise or support the loss. Traumatic grief is experienced following a sudden, unexpected, or violent death—such as through suicide or an accident—and the shock of the event can make the grieving process especially challenging. Lastly, collective grief is felt by a community or group in response to a shared loss, such as during a natural disaster, pandemic, or war.

What is Complex Grief?

For some individuals, the pain of loss doesn't lessen with time, or it becomes all-consuming and disruptive to daily life, this is known as complex grief and is sometimes called complicated grief.

Complex grief is an intense, prolonged and debilitating form of grief that prevents a person from coping with a significant loss and resuming daily life. Complex grief can involve preoccupation with the deceased, persistent yearning, difficulty accepting the death, avoidance of reminders of the loss and disbelief.

Symptoms must be present for at least one year after the loss for adults to be considered Complex Grief, including at least three of the following symptoms:

• disbelief about the death

• difficulty accepting the reality of the loss

• avoidance of reminders about the death

• intense emotional pain

• difficulty reintegrating with relationships and activities

• emotional numbness

• a sense of meaninglessness

EMDR or Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing can treat complicated grief by addressing traumatic memories and emotions that can 'block' the normal grieving process. EMDR not only desensitises the complex grief symptoms, but helps with re-processing to enable a shift in insights, feelings and beliefs about the event.

Disenfranchised Grief

Disenfranchised Grief is a profound sense of loss that goes unacknowledged or unrecognised, making it difficult for individuals to process emotions and creates a sense of isolation.

Circumstances that can result in Disenfranchised Grief:

• losses that are considered 'less significant' such as the loss of a pet or a relationship breakdown, job loss, divorce

• unrecognised relationships including a former spouse, a secret relationship or loss of a co-worker

• stigmatized losses such as dying by suicide, an overdose or stigmatised illness

• losses that are misunderstood such as infertility, termination or miscarriage

Disenfranchised Grief can prolong the grieving process, the lack of validation can cause individuals to doubt their right to grieve or feeling their response is inappropriate or exaggerated. Individuals can experience isolation without social support being unable to share their pain.

What is Traumatic Grief?

Traumatic grief refers to the intense and challenging grief experienced after a sudden, unexpected, or violent loss, such as a suicide or accident. The shock and traumatic nature of the event can make it particularly difficult for individuals to process their emotions and begin healing, often complicating the normal grieving process and making it harder to move forward.

EMDR can be helpful individuals cope with traumatic grief by reducing the intensity of trauma symptoms such as intrusive thoughts, flashbacks and physiological responses. EMDR reduces the emotional distress of memories of the traumatic loss through processing. You can read more information on what EMDR is and how EMDR works here, including how to find an EMDR practitioner in Newcastle.

Ways to Cope with Grief: Practical Strategies and Self-Care Tips

While the journey through grief is different for everyone, there are some practical ways to support yourself as you heal:

• Reach out for support: Talk to friends, family, or a trusted community member. Even a chat over a coffee at your local café can make a difference.

  
  

• Look after your health: Try to maintain regular meals, get some rest, and spend time outdoors—take a walk along Newcastle Beach or through King Edward Park.

  
  

• Express your feelings: Journalling, art, music, or even gardening can help you process emotions that are hard to put into words.

  
  

• Set small, achievable goals: Simple tasks like tidying up, making a meal, or visiting the shops can help create a sense of normality.

  
  

• Allow yourself to grieve: Remember, it’s okay to have bad days. Give yourself permission to feel whatever comes up, without judgement.

  
  

• See your GP who can keep an eye on your grief journey and provide support through assessment and referrals if required.

Finding a Face to Face Grief and Loss Counselling in Newcastle

Face-to-face grief counselling offers a personalised, empathetic approach to healing. If you’re considering reaching out for support, here’s how to get started with face to face grief and loss counselling in Newcastle:

1.       Ask your GP: Your doctor can refer you to a local counsellor or psychologist and may help you access Medicare rebates for mental health support.

2.       Search local directories: Websites such as EMDRAA Find A Therapist, AASW Find A Social Worker, the Australian Counselling Association, or Psychology Today list qualified counsellors in Newcastle. You can filter by location and areas of expertise.

3.       Community organisations: Local groups like Lifeline Newcastle and Hunter can provide names for local Newcastle counselling services that provide support for grief and loss.

4.       Word of mouth: Don’t hesitate to ask friends or community members if they can recommend a good counsellor—they might know someone who’s made a real difference.

You Don't Have to Face Grief Alone

Grief can be isolating, but face to face or telehealth grief counselling is available in Newcastle. Whether you have lost a loved one, grappling with complex grief or disenfranchised grief, specialised grief and loss counselling can help you find relief, clarity and healing. If you or someone you know is struggling considering contacting a local Newcastle counsellor, Lifeline (13 11 14) or your GP.

EMDR for Grief Counselling in Newcastle

Kristen offers Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing also known as EMDR for complex grief and traumatic grief from her local Newcastle therapy rooms based in Hamilton. If you would like to use a Mental Health Care Plan for EMDR, your GP can refer you. To see Kristen's fee breakdown including Medicare rebate and online bookings follow these links. Don't hesitate to reach out today and start a conversation to bring relief and healing today.