Grief Counselling
Grief does not always follow a predictable path, and it is not limited to the loss of a person. Grief counselling at Charis Psychological Services in Johannesburg offers a space to process loss in whatever form it has taken, including the loss of a relationship, a role, or a way of life that illness or injury has changed.
What Is Grief Counselling?
Grief counselling is individual work with a registered psychologist, focused on helping you process loss without a fixed timeline or a single correct way of grieving. Sessions make space for the practical and emotional realities of loss, including guilt, anger, relief and sadness, all of which can coexist.
What Kinds Of Loss Does Grief Counselling Cover?
While grief counselling is often associated with bereavement, people also seek it out following the loss of physical function after an injury, the end of a significant relationship, a diagnosis that changes what daily life looks like, or the loss of independence that can come with illness or ageing.
How Long Does Grief Counselling Take?
There is no set length of time for grief counselling. Some people attend for a short period around a specific milestone, such as an anniversary. Others continue for longer, particularly where other circumstances complicate the loss. Your psychologist will work at whatever pace suits your situation, rather than a predetermined schedule.
Can Grief Counselling Include Family Members?
Grief counselling is usually individual, though family sessions can sometimes form part of the process where that would be useful, particularly when a loss has affected several people in the same household. This is discussed on a case-by-case basis.
What If You Are Not Sure Whether You Need Grief Counselling?
You do not need to reach a particular point of difficulty before reaching out. An initial session can simply be a way of talking through what you are experiencing and deciding together whether ongoing counselling would be useful.