Bereavement Counselling

Money_Saver

Hello,

I am wondering if anyone here or knows of anyone who has had as per the title?

What was it like, what kind of things are you asked?

Am going for my first session next week and just wondered what might be asked.

Thanks,.

MS

Justie

not done it myself (although probably should have) but my mum used to be a bereavement counsellor. There's no set thing and it's not like you have a problem that needs to be fixed. Bereavement is part of the natural process of healing. Some people use it as a time to be able to talk about their loved one when they feel that everyone else is bored of it as a topic, others find that they just need to be able to have a sounding board to work out where they are in life. A lot of the time it's more that there's a listening ear and the counsellor may use reflective listening where by they sum up for you what you've told them so it's easier for you to see the progress you're making. It's not like counselling for mental health issues where you go in with a problem and hopefully after a course of treatment are 'cured' it's more aiding the understanding of what's a natural process and giving you permission to be upset/angry/confused/relieved or whatever's appropriate in your situation. Just think of it as a safe space where you don't have to cope!

Hope it goes well for you.

mae

Yes I agree with the above poster. I am a counsellor, a general counsellor so that sometimes means counselling clients for bereavement.
Bereavement Couselling is usually very Person Centred which means they go at your pace, don't offer solutions just help you come to your own. They hope to build a trusting relationship where you feel 'safe' to disclose even your most personal feelings maybe things you can't share with your loved ones. They allow you to off load. They may at times explain the grief process to reassure you that you are not going 'mad' and that what you are experincing is 'normal' although everyone grieves in different ways there are some similarites with the stages sometimes.
Also counselling can help you with acceptance or maybe if the grief is complicated and the bereaved is unable to move on and is 'stuck' the counsellor can facilitate some movement.
The counsellor does not usually use any interventions although there may be times that it is useful for example if the person who died, died suddenly, then the bereaved may feel they have unfinished business and maybe the counsellor would suggest they could use the counselling room to talk to that person and say what is unfinished or they may suggest writing a letter. All this though would come only if the counsellor and the client felt that something more was needed and nothing is done without keeping the client in a safe place emotionally and the client is always the main focus and they will be equal in the relationship meaning the counsellor will not become the 'expert' they will stick with the client and their issues.
I wrote that in a rush I hope it makes sense.
PM me if you want anymore info.
Good luck I hope it goes well.