Grief & Loss
Psychological Support for Women Experiencing Grief and Loss in Adelaide & Online
Grief is one of the most human experiences we can have, yet it is also one of the most misunderstood.
Many people think grief only occurs following the death of a loved one. Whilst bereavement is certainly one form of grief, grief can arise whenever we lose something that was important to us.
This may include the loss of a loved one, a relationship, a pregnancy, a friendship, a career, a sense of health, independence, identity, or even a future we had imagined for ourselves.
Sometimes the deepest grief is not only about what has been lost, but about what we hoped would be. The relationship we thought would last a lifetime. The family we imagined creating. The future we expected to unfold. The version of life we thought we would be living.
Grief can leave us feeling sad, angry, confused, numb, anxious, exhausted, lonely or completely overwhelmed. It can affect how we think, feel, relate to others and move through everyday life.
Whilst grief is a universal experience, no two people grieve in exactly the same way. Each person's relationship with loss is unique. Each person's journey through grief is unique. And each person's timeline is unique.
Signs You May Be Experiencing Grief
Grief can affect us emotionally, physically and psychologically.
You may recognise some of the following experiences:
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Persistent sadness or tearfulness
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Feeling emotionally numb or disconnected
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Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
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Fatigue or low energy
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Changes in sleep or appetite
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Feeling anxious, overwhelmed or emotionally vulnerable
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Anger, frustration or irritability
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Difficulty accepting a loss or significant change
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Feeling stuck or unable to move forward
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Withdrawing from others
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Questioning your identity or sense of purpose
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Feeling guilty about things said, unsaid, done or not done
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Missing the life, person or future you once imagined
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Feeling pressure to "move on" before you feel ready
Grief often comes in waves. Some days may feel manageable, whilst others can feel unexpectedly difficult. This is a normal part of the grieving process.
How Therapy Can Help
One of the most common misconceptions about grief is that there is a right way to grieve.
Many women worry that they should be coping better, feeling differently, or moving forward more quickly than they are. In reality, grief does not follow a neat timeline. It cannot be rushed, forced or neatly resolved.
Therapy provides a confidential space to process your experience, make sense of your emotions, and navigate loss in a way that feels meaningful and supportive.
My approach draws on evidence-based therapies including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Together, we can explore the emotions, thoughts and challenges that accompany grief, whilst developing strategies to help you care for yourself during this difficult time.
One of the things I often discuss with clients is that the goal of grief is not to stop loving, remembering or missing what has been lost. The goal is not to erase grief. The goal is to learn how to carry it. Like a backpack, grief can feel incredibly heavy at first. Over time, the weight may become easier to carry, not because the loss becomes unimportant, but because we gradually learn how to move forward whilst making space for it.
Grief can also feel like standing in the ocean during a storm. In the early stages, the waves may feel relentless, arriving one after another with little warning. Over time, the waves often become less frequent and more predictable, but they may still arrive from time to time, particularly around anniversaries, significant life events or unexpected reminders. This does not mean you are moving backwards. It simply means you are human.
Many women also discover that grief and joy can coexist. It is possible to miss someone deeply whilst continuing to live a meaningful life. It is possible to feel sadness whilst also experiencing moments of happiness, connection and hope.
The goal is not to forget what has been lost. The goal is to honour what mattered whilst continuing to move forward in a way that feels aligned with your values and the life you wish to create.
Ready to take the next step?
If you are experiencing grief or loss and would like support, therapy can provide a compassionate and confidential space to help you process your experience and navigate the path ahead.
You are welcome to submit a New Client Enquiry to discuss whether psychological therapy near Glenelg or online may be a good fit for your needs.