Supporting Patients and Families Through Grief: A Bereavement Counsellor Shares Her Story

Nicola Clark, Bereavement Counsellor

“My job role is to offer bereavement counselling to adults and children from the ages of 7. We’re here for everyone in the Tees Valley area who’ve suffered a bereavement longer than six months ago. If they find that they’re struggling with their loss, and they need someone to talk to, that’s where we step in."

The sessions that we offer are 1-2-1 weekly sessions between a trained counsellor, like Nicola, and the individual. Sessions usually last around 50 minutes, and every 6 weeks progress is monitored to ensure the best decisions are made going forward for the individual and their process.“

Ultimately, what is it that the client wants? What issues are they having? What are they really struggling with? One of the misconceptions of Bereavement Counselling is that we’re here to fix everything. We’re not. We’re here to listen to you.” Teesside Hospice is very person-centred at heart. We work with what the person brings, and by working alongside them and finding how we can move forward, we find what works best for them. 

“Our Bereavement Service is open to everyone in the Tees Valley Area, whether you’ve experienced hospice care or not.” If you’re unsure about counselling but want to listen to our counsellors in a relaxed space, come chat to us at the Bereavement Café. The Bereavement Café is back by popular demand. The café is a peer-led group with a shared experience of loss. 

Whether it’s recent loss, or a bereavement from 20 years ago, come along, enjoy a cuppa and a chat. Let us listen to you. That’s what we’re here for. For more information please contact counselling@teessidehospice.co.uk or pick up the phone and call 01642 811063