Supporting You Through Loss: Counselling South East London

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 Grief counselling—also known as bereavement counselling—is professional support aimed at helping individuals process and adapt to loss. Counsellors provide a compassionate space for expressing difficult emotions, understanding grief’s impact, and exploring healthy coping mechanisms (Marie Curie). 

 Grief counselling may be helpful if:

• Grief feels overwhelming or persists after several months
• You find it hard to manage daily life or responsibilities
• Emotional distress includes depression, anxiety, anger, guilt, or numbness

 Different therapists in South East London may use various therapeutic models to support grieving individuals:

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

• Focuses on identifying and reframing negative thought patterns
• Helps manage anxiety, guilt, and depression linked to grief
• Often used in NHS IAPT services

Gestalt Therapy

• Encourages awareness of present emotions and bodily sensations
• Helps clients explore unresolved feelings and unfinished grief
• Emphasises personal responsibility and self-discovery

Person-Centred Therapy

• Non-directive and empathetic approach
• Allows clients to lead the conversation and explore grief at their own pace
• Builds trust and emotional safety

Integrative Therapy

• Combines elements from multiple approaches (e.g., CBT + psychodynamic)
• Tailored to individual needs and grief experiences

Existential Therapy

• Explores themes of meaning, mortality, and identity after loss
• Helps clients navigate life changes and spiritual questions

Cruse Bereavement Support – Lambeth & Southwark

• Free one-to-one and group counselling
• Support for adults, children, and young people
• Call: 020 7620 3999 or national helpline: 0808 808 1677

South East London Suicide Bereavement Service (SEL Mind)

• Covers Lewisham, Greenwich, Bromley, Southwark, Lambeth, and Bexley
• Offers emotional and practical support after suicide loss
• Contact: 07933 393 397

St Christopher’s Hospice – Bereavement Help Points

• Drop-in and virtual sessions for anyone grieving
• Locations across Bromley, Lewisham, and Sydenham

City & East London Bereavement Service (CELBS)

• Individual, couple, and group counselling
• LGBTQ+ inclusive support
• Contact: 020 3022 5177

 Examples:

• Mewstone Counselling (SE13) – Offers integrative grief support
• Nigel Bainbridge (Greenwich) – Specialises in person-centred and existential therapy
• Maria De Stefano (SE15/SE19) – Gestalt and trauma-informed grief counselling
• Find more via Counselling Directory or Psychology Today

Typical Costs:

• Private sessions: £50–£100 per hour
• Low-cost options: £20–£40 via community schemes or trainee counsellors

Grief counselling in South East London is available through:

• Free services: Cruse, SEL Mind, St Christopher’s Hospice
• Private therapists: Across SE1, SE13, SE15, SE19, SE22, SE23, SE26
• Therapy types: CBT, Gestalt, person-centred, integrative, existential
• Accessible formats: In-person, online, drop-in, and group support

Whether you're in Lewisham, Greenwich, Southwark, or Bromley, compassionate help is nearby. If you're struggling with loss, reaching out is a powerful first step toward healing.

At Liz Grace Independent Funeral Directors, we offer compassionate support and affordable funeral care across South East London. we’re here to guide you every step of the way.