Bereavement Counselling in Leeds and Online
Welcome to my bereavement counselling page. I'm Will Jones, an integrative counsellor and psychotherapist offering bereavement counselling for adults aged 18 and over. I offer sessions in Leeds city centre, online and by telephone.
Losing someone important to you can change how you experience the world, your relationships and your sense of yourself. You might be struggling with sadness, anger, guilt, confusion or a sense of emptiness. Perhaps you feel numb, find it difficult to talk about what has happened, or are surprised by how strongly a loss is affecting you. There is no single way to grieve, and there is no fixed timetable for bereavement. You do not have to be feeling a certain way before seeking support.
I offer a space where you can talk about your experience at your own pace, without judgement or pressure to move on. Together, we can explore what your loss means to you and consider what might help you live with the changes it has brought.
I have a particular interest in supporting adults who experienced bereavement during childhood and adults bereaved by suicide. Whether your loss happened recently or many years ago, counselling can offer an opportunity to explore experiences and feelings that may be difficult to share elsewhere.
If you would like to explore whether bereavement counselling might help, you are welcome to get in touch. We can discuss what has brought you to counselling and whether working together feels right for you.
How bereavement counselling can help
Grief can affect many aspects of life. You might notice changes in your emotions, sleep, concentration, relationships or sense of purpose. You may also find that other people expect you to return to normal before you feel ready.
Sometimes, the difficulty is not knowing what you feel. At other times, you may have strong emotions that seem to come out of nowhere. You might want to talk about the person who died but worry about upsetting other people, or feel that you have already spoken about the loss as much as you can.
Bereavement counselling gives you time and space to explore these experiences.
Depending on your circumstances and what you want from counselling, we might explore:
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Your relationship with the person who died: the significance of the relationship, what you miss and the memories you carry.
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Difficult or conflicting feelings: including sadness, anger, guilt, regret, relief, confusion or feelings that are hard to put into words.
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Changes in your life: how the bereavement has affected your relationships, identity, responsibilities or sense of the future.
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Unanswered questions: thoughts about what happened, things left unsaid or aspects of the death that remain difficult to understand.
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Earlier experiences of loss: how a bereavement from childhood or an earlier stage of life may continue to affect you.
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Living with grief: finding ways to acknowledge your loss while gradually making room for other aspects of life.
You do not need to have a clear goal or know exactly what you want to talk about before starting. We can begin with what feels most important to you.
Childhood bereavement: when an early loss affects adult life
Losing someone important during childhood can shape a person's experience of relationships, family life and the world around them. Children do not always have the language, understanding or support they need to make sense of a death. They may also be affected by how the adults around them respond to the loss.
As a child, you might have tried to carry on as normal, looked after other family members, avoided talking about what happened or found ways to manage feelings you did not fully understand. Years later, you may find yourself thinking about the bereavement differently. Changes in your relationships, becoming a parent, experiencing another loss or reaching a new stage of life can bring earlier feelings into focus.
You might wonder whether the death affected the way you relate to other people, how safe you feel in relationships or how comfortable you are expressing your needs. You may also have questions about the person who died, the circumstances of the death or how your family coped at the time.
Not everyone who experiences childhood bereavement will experience lasting difficulties, and there is no single pattern of response. However, if an early loss remains important to you, it can be helpful to have the opportunity to explore it as an adult.
In counselling, we can look at what happened, how you experienced it then and what it means to you now. You do not have to revisit every detail of the death or talk about anything before you feel ready. My particular interest in childhood bereavement means that this is an area of experience I welcome people bringing to our work together.
You can read more about the childhood bereavement and its impact n my blog post.
Bereavement after suicide
Losing someone to suicide can bring a complicated mixture of emotions and questions. Alongside the sadness of losing someone important, you might experience anger, guilt, confusion, shock or a strong need to understand why the death happened. You may find yourself going over conversations, wondering whether something could have been different or thinking about things you wish you had said. You might also feel isolated if other people find it difficult to talk openly about the death.
The circumstances of the loss can affect how you remember the person, how you understand your relationship with them and how comfortable you feel discussing your grief. You may have questions that cannot be answered, or feelings that seem to contradict one another. There is no right way to respond to suicide bereavement. You do not need to make sense of everything or reach a particular understanding of the death in order to seek counselling.
Counselling can offer a confidential space to talk about what has happened and explore the feelings, memories and questions you are carrying. We can work at a pace that feels manageable for you, without assumptions about how you should feel or what you should have done. You can talk about the person who died, your relationship with them, the circumstances of the death or the ways the loss has affected your life. You can also bring feelings that you have found difficult to share with family or friends.
You do not have to carry these experiences entirely on your own.
You can read more about suicide bereavement and counselling in my blog post.
Is bereavement counselling right for me?
You do not have to be in crisis or struggling every day to benefit from counselling. You might simply feel that something remains unresolved, that you have not had the opportunity to talk about the loss, or that you would like to understand your experience more fully.
Bereavement counselling may be worth considering if:
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You feel overwhelmed by grief or find that it is affecting everyday life.
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You feel numb, disconnected or unsure how to make sense of your emotions.
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You are experiencing guilt, anger, regret or unanswered questions following a death.
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You experienced a bereavement in childhood and want to explore its effects in adult life.
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Someone close to you died by suicide and you need a space to talk about the experience.
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You feel isolated in your grief or find it difficult to talk about the person who died.
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A loss from many years ago has become important to you again.
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You would value time to reflect on your experience with someone outside your family or social circle.
You do not need to identify with any of these descriptions. Your experience is personal, and we can begin with whatever has brought you to consider counselling.
My approach to bereavement counselling
I am an integrative counsellor and psychotherapist. My approach recognises that people have different histories, relationships and ways of making sense of their experiences. I aim to offer a thoughtful, collaborative and non-judgemental space where you can explore what has happened and how you are feeling. You will not be expected to follow a prescribed set of stages or work towards a particular timetable for grief.
Some people want to talk about the person who died and remember their relationship. Others want to explore difficult emotions, family relationships, changes in identity or the effects of an earlier loss. You may want to do all of these things at different points in our work.
We can work together to understand what feels most important to you and what you hope to gain from counselling. You remain in control of what you share, and we can take things at a pace that feels appropriate.
I recognise that seeking counselling can feel like a significant step, particularly if you have not spoken openly about your bereavement before. You do not need to know where to start. We can begin with your experience as it is now.
About me
I am an integrative counsellor and psychotherapist based in Leeds city centre. I hold a Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy from Leeds Beckett University and am a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).
My professional development includes training in grief and loss and suicide bereavement. I have a particular interest in supporting adults who experienced bereavement during childhood, as well as people who are living with the effects of losing someone to suicide.
I recognise that every bereavement takes place within a unique relationship and set of circumstances. My aim is to offer a space where you can explore your experience openly, without feeling that you need to protect other people from your feelings or explain your grief in a particular way.
Where and how I offer bereavement counselling
I offer bereavement counselling for adults aged 18 and over in three formats.
In person in Leeds city centre
Sessions are available at my counselling practice in Leeds city centre. Meeting in person may suit you if you prefer to have a dedicated space away from home in which to talk.
Online counselling
Online sessions allow you to access counselling from a place where you feel comfortable and have privacy. This can be helpful if you live outside Leeds, have a busy schedule or find travelling difficult.
Telephone counselling
Telephone sessions offer another way to access counselling if you would prefer to talk without using video or travelling to a practice.
Each format offers a different experience. We can discuss which option might suit your circumstances when you get in touch.
Frequently asked questions about bereavement counselling
What is bereavement counselling?
Bereavement counselling provides an opportunity to explore your experience following the death of someone important to you. It can offer space to talk about your feelings, memories, questions and the changes the loss has brought to your life. The focus depends on your circumstances and what you would find helpful.
When should I seek bereavement counselling?
There is no set time to seek counselling after a death. Some people want support soon after their bereavement, while others find that they need help months or years later. You can consider counselling whenever you feel that talking about your experience might be useful.
Can I have counselling for a bereavement that happened many years ago?
Yes. An earlier bereavement may become more significant at a later stage of life, or you may feel ready to talk about a loss that was difficult to explore at the time. We can look at what the experience means to you now and whether you would like to explore its effects on your life or relationships.
Can I have bereavement counselling if I feel numb rather than sad?
Yes. People respond to bereavement in different ways, and sadness is not the only response to losing someone. You might feel numb, disconnected, confused, angry or unsure what you feel at all. Your feelings may also change over time. Counselling can offer a space to explore your own experience without needing to feel a particular way.
Can counselling help with guilt after a bereavement?
Guilt and regret can form part of some people's experience of bereavement. You may find yourself revisiting conversations, decisions or things you wish had happened differently. Counselling can provide an opportunity to explore these thoughts and feelings, understand their place in your experience and consider what they mean to you.
Can I talk about a childhood bereavement as an adult?
Yes. You may want to explore how losing someone during childhood affected you at the time, how your family responded or how the experience has influenced your life as an adult. You can decide what you want to discuss, and there is no requirement to revisit every detail of the death.
Can I have counselling after someone has died by suicide?
Yes. You can bring the experience of suicide bereavement to counselling, including difficult emotions, unanswered questions, guilt, anger or feelings of isolation. You do not need to have made sense of the death or know what you want to say before beginning.
What happens in the first bereavement counselling session?
The first session is an opportunity for us to talk about what has brought you to counselling, what you have been experiencing and what you hope to gain from therapy. You can share as much or as little as feels comfortable. You do not need to prepare anything in advance or know exactly where to begin. We can also discuss how I work and whether counselling with me feels like the right fit for you.
Do I have to talk about the death straight away?
No. You can decide what you feel comfortable sharing and when. We can begin with what is happening in your life now, what you have been finding difficult or whatever feels most important to you. There is no expectation that you will discuss painful details before you feel ready.
Is online bereavement counselling effective?
Online counselling is one way to access therapeutic support without travelling to a practice. Some people find it convenient and comfortable, while others prefer to meet in person. Whether online counselling is suitable depends on your circumstances, preferences and needs. We can discuss this before deciding how to proceed.
How much does bereavement counselling cost?
The introductory session costs £30. After that individual sessions cost £55.
How long do sessions last?
All sessions last 50 minutes.
How do I arrange bereavement counselling?
You can get in touch through my contact form to enquire about availability and discuss whether counselling might be suitable for you. You are welcome to ask questions before deciding whether to arrange a session.
Taking the next step
Talking about bereavement is not always easy. You may have spent a long time managing your feelings privately, or you may be unsure whether counselling will help.
You do not need to have everything worked out before getting in touch. We can start with a conversation about what has brought you here, what you are finding difficult and whether working together feels appropriate.
If you are looking for bereavement counselling in Leeds, online or by phone, you are welcome to contact me.
