Counselling FAQs | Huddersfield & Online Across the UK

Who I support through counselling and grief therapy?

I work with individual adults over 18. There is no upper-age limit. I am not trained to work with children or young people, or to provide couples counselling.

Is grief counselling confidential and private?

Yes, counselling is confidential in almost all circumstances. There are a few exceptions, for example, if you are at risk of harm to yourself or others, or if required by law (such as reporting terrorist activity).

I take confidentiality very seriously and will explain everything clearly before we begin. You'll also receive a written contract outlining this in full.

Do you accept payments via insurance companies?

Yes, I am a recognised provider for WPA, Vitality Health and Aviva

How can grief counselling help me cope and heal?

Counselling can help in a variety of ways, and the benefits often grow over time. It can help you to:

• Understand why you think, feel and react the way you do
• Make sense of your emotions and experiences
• Identify unhelpful patterns of behaviour and learn how to change them
• Develop healthier coping strategies
• Feel more in control and better able to manage difficult emotions
• Build resilience, mindfulness and self-compassion
• Improve self-esteem and confidence
• Begin to live more fully and authentically again
   

In essence, counselling helps you to stop merely existing and start living again.

What if counselling doesn't feel like it's helping?

Counselling is a deeply personal experience, and it doesn't feel the same for everyone. It can bring up strong emotions or memories you haven't faced in years, which can be uncomfortable but often leads to important insight and healing.

If you're looking for someone to give advice or tell you what to do, my approach may not be the right fit. I don't give instructions, I help you to understand yourself, trust your own judgement and make decisions that feel right for you.

Over time, many clients tell me that being truly heard and understood has been life-changing. Gaining insight into your thoughts and feelings can be both empowering and liberating. Counselling takes commitment, but it can help you feel stronger, calmer and more in control of your life.

Is it normal to still feel stuck in grief, months or even years later?

Yes, absolutely. Grief has no set timeline, and there's no “right” way to grieve. For some people, the pain eases gradually; for others, it can feel as raw years later as it did in the beginning.

Feeling stuck often means your grief needs time, space and understanding. I can help you explore what's keeping you there, find coping strategies and gently support you to move forward, without losing your connection to your loved one.

What if I don't want to get over my grief - can therapy still help?

Yes, therapy can still help. Grief isn't something you “get over.” It's something you learn to live alongside.

Wanting to hold on to your grief often means wanting to stay connected to the person you've lost. Counselling provides space to explore those feelings, without judgement or fear of burdening others.

With support, many people find they can carry their grief with more ease, keeping their loved one's memory close while learning to live again.

What if I never feel like my old self again?

It's very common to feel that you'll never be the same after a loss. The truth is, grief changes us. Therapy isn't about returning you to who you were, it's about helping you understand who you are now.

Over time, you can find a “new normal” that allows space for both sadness and hope. You don't have to go back to your old self to live a meaningful, fulfilling life again.

Why can't I let go of the guilt?

Guilt is one of the most painful emotions in grief, especially after sudden or traumatic loss. It often stems from love, wishing you could have protected your loved one or changed the outcome.

Therapy helps you explore those thoughts and feelings, to understand where they come from and to begin releasing them. Together we can work towards self-compassion and help you find a gentler way of holding your grief and love.

Will I ever feel happy again?

When you're grieving, happiness can feel unimaginable. But in time, joy and peace can begin to return, often in small, unexpected ways.

Therapy helps you make space for those moments without feeling guilty or as though you're betraying your loved one. Many people find they can live with both grief and joy side by side, creating a life that holds both pain and meaning.