Grief following the death of someone close is one of the most painful and stressful life events. It is experienced in many ways–emotionally, physically, spiritually–and everyone grieves differently. Shock, anger, sadness, guilt, numbness and anxiety are common feelings during the grieving process, and they can be overwhelming.
Loneliness and isolation are also common feelings after loss, and the support of family and friends can be invaluable. However, it isn’t always possible to grieve freely and openly among them; after all, they are grieving too. Counselling sessions can help to validate your feelings and provide a safe, non-judgmental space to fully express emotions.
Counselling doesn’t aim to hurry the process along; it supports people as they grieve, in their own way and in their own time.
2wish provide funded sessions of 1:1 counselling with a local, qualified, BACP registered counsellor who is experienced in bereavement. We also work with counsellors who are trained in trauma to support those affected by PTSD. You can access this service as an individual, a couple, or as a young person. We can also offer counselling sessions via instant messaging or over the phone if preferred. We are very much person-led and let you guide the way as to if, and when, you are ready for support.
All our counsellors are self-employed and we work alongside counsellors from all over Wales and our areas in England. Every counsellor is registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and we follow their guidelines strictly.
Please visit www.bacp.co.uk for further information.
Play Therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses play to help children deal with emotional and mental health issues. By using play and creative techniques, children are able to explore their feelings and thoughts and begin to process and understand muddled feeling and upsetting events. We offer Play Therapy to children aged between 4-12 years old who have been affected by the sudden death of a young person.
Play is vital to every child’s social, emotional, cognitive, physical, creative and language development. It helps make learning concrete for all children and young people including those for whom verbal communication may be difficult.
Play therapy helps children in a variety of ways. Children receive emotional support and can learn to understand more about their own feelings and thoughts. Sometimes they may re-enact or play out traumatic or difficult life experiences to make sense of their past and cope better with the future.
All our Play Therapists are self-employed and we work alongside Play Therapists from all across our service areas. Every Play Therapist is registered with the British Association for Play Therapy (BAPT) and we follow their guidelines strictly.
Please visit https://www.bapt.info/ for further information.
Talking to children about the death of a loved one
Talking to your child about the death of someone close may be the hardest thing you have ever done or will do.
Children experience grief differently to adults. For adults, it feels like having to wade through rivers of grief and they may get stuck in the middle of a wide sea of grieving. For children, their grieving can seem more like leaping in and out of puddles. First reactions may range from great distress to seeming not to be interested. One minute, they may be sobbing, the next they are asking “what’s for tea?” It does not mean they care any less about what has happened.
When children ask difficult questions, there is no automatic need to give a long explanation. It is often best to start by asking: “What do you think?” and then building on their answer.
Younger children may be confused by some of the everyday expressions that people use when someone dies, such as describing the person as ‘lost’, ‘gone’ or ‘passed away’. It is best to keep language simple and direct. Saying that someone has ‘died’ or is ‘dead’ is honest, helps to avoid confusion and encourages acceptance.
Coping with the rush of feelings that the death of a loved one brings may feel impossible to express. It may be helpful to consider complementary therapies to find a different way to work through your grief.
2wish offers complementary therapy solely or combined with talking counselling. We offer reflexology and aromatherapy massage. Both have been proven to have calming, soothing and rebalancing benefits, effective for treating stress, anxiety and insomnia.
Aromatherapy Massage
Aromatherapy treatments can be incorporated into massage treatments. Aromatherapy massage commonly involves essential oils, incorporating touch and the physical manipulation of joints and muscles to relieve tension and stress.
Reflexology
Reflexology is a holistic therapy based on the discovery that there are points on the hands and feet that correspond with the bodies organs, structures and systems. Each corresponding point within the hand or foot is defined as the ‘reflex’.
The theory is that reflexology helps the body to restore its balance naturally. Usually, after a treatment tension is reduced and relaxation promoted. It has also been found that sleep patterns improve along with an enhanced mood and state of well-being. One of the most common uses for this type of therapy is to help treat stress and anxiety.
Focus groups are six-weekly, closed groups facilitated by two qualified and registered counsellors. The focus groups bring together a small group of bereaved family members who have lost their loved one in a similar way.
The focus is on group talking, sharing and helping each other to process and understand their loss within a safe environment. Topics include, triggers, physical aspects of grief and continuing bonds.
The continued friendships that often form following these groups offer peer support to those who have experienced the loss of their child and find comfort from those who can understand what they have experienced.
A variety of monthly events are held over the year. These are tailored for Mums, Dads, siblings and families. The events offer the opportunity to enjoy new experiences whilst coming together with others who understand the journey of a bereaved person.
Tŷ Uchaf is a beautiful respite cottage situated just south of Caernarfon in North Wales, less than 30m from the beach. The cottage is available for families, professionals, and others to have quality time away to rest, reflect or reconnect.
Guests can choose to engage in local attractions, or simply appreciate the natural beauty of their surroundings, spending quality time with loved ones, or much-needed time alone.
Tŷ Uchaf is available to all who we support in Wales and England
