"The greatest discovery of my generation is that human beings can alter their lives by altering their attitudes of mind"
Support After Suicide Bereavement
Losing someone to suicide can be one of the most painful and complex experiences a person will ever face.
Alongside the heartbreak of losing someone you love, you may also find yourself living with overwhelming questions, feelings of guilt, anger, confusion, disbelief or relief. You might replay conversations, search for answers, or wonder if there was something more you could have done. Traumatic memories or images may return unexpectedly, making it difficult to feel present or at peace.
There is no right or wrong way to grieve after suicide. Every relationship is different, every loss is different, and every person's experience is unique.
You don't have to carry it on your own.
The Unique Challenges of Grief after Suicide
You may recognise some of these experiences:
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Constantly searching for answers that may never come.
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Feeling responsible, even when others reassure you that you aren't.
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Replaying the events leading up to the death.
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Intrusive images or memories.
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Feeling numb one moment and overwhelmed the next.
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Anger towards the person who died, yourself or others.
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Feeling isolated because people don't know what to say.
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Worrying about being judged.
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Feeling that life no longer feels safe or predictable.
Not everyone experiences these things, but many people tell me they recognise some of them.
When grief and trauma overlap
Sometimes a suicide leaves people not only grieving but traumatised.
You may find yourself repeatedly reliving what happened, avoiding reminders, struggling to sleep or feeling constantly on edge.
Where appropriate, EMDR can help the brain and body begin to process traumatic memories in a way that feels safe and contained.
Not everyone needs EMDR, and there is never any pressure to use it. Together we'll consider what feels most helpful for you.
​Working together
Alongside my private practice, I have spent several years supporting adults, children and families affected by suicide through the Hertfordshire Suicide Bereavement Service.
This work has given me the privilege of sitting alongside many people living with the unique challenges that suicide loss can bring. I understand that no two experiences are the same, and I will never assume to know exactly how your grief feels.
My role isn't to provide quick answers or tell you how to grieve.
It's to offer a compassionate space where your experiences can be understood, explored and carried alongside you.
Taking the first step
If you're wondering whether therapy feels right for you, you're welcome to get in touch for an initial conversation.
There is no obligation and no expectation that you should know exactly what you want to say.
Sometimes the hardest part is simply reaching out.