Caroline Mills

I specialise in bereavement counselling for adults, children and young people. The experience of grief following bereavement can involve confusing and intense emotions, unexpected symptoms and feelings of isolation. Often people worry about the impact grieving is having on them and whether this is 'normal'. My experience with, and understanding of, the grieving process often enables me to provide reassurance, as well as support, which can make a real difference.

Support for adults

There are still many myths perpetuated in our society about how someone who has been bereaved should think, or feel, and how quickly they should 'get over' the loss.  Often those around you may not understand your experience of grief, don't want you to be sad and would like you to get back to how you were before the bereavement. Bereavement counselling offers the opportunity to share how you are really feeling, talk about areas where you may be feeling stuck and to explore the many associated losses connected with bereavement. I aim to create a safe, non-judgemental space where you experience empathy and compassion while feeling heard and validated.

Support for children and families

Parents and carers looking after a bereaved child are often concerned about whether they are providing them with the best support. The way children grieve differs from adults, the child's age, stage of development, understanding of the situation, the circumstances of the death and the type of relationship they had with the deceased all need to be considered. There are often physical and behavioural as well as emotional changes which can be confusing. By looking at this together we can consider how counselling can most benefit the child or young person and enable the adults caring for them to feel more confident in the support they can offer.

Support for adults bereaved as children or young people

I also work with adults who were bereaved in childhood, adolescence or young adulthood. There may have been no opportunity for counselling or bereavement support at the time or that as life has progressed new levels of grief need to be worked through. There are also times throughout life when we mourn for associated losses, such as, not having had an adult relationship with them, not being able to share big occasions, milestones, successes or the times when we need support. Counselling provides a space to understand, explore and share your grief as well as its impact on identity throughout your life.

Group Support

I also facilitate structured bereavement support groups which offer more knowledge about the grieving process, a safe space to share experiences, worries and strategies. Receiving understanding about what you are going through can be invaluable and can be hard to find in everyday life.