Supporting mild grief after bereavement (8 sessions)

This case study is anonymised and identifying details have been changed to protect confidentiality.

 

Client profile

An adult client seeking short-term counselling support following the death of their mother during the Covid period. All identifying details have been changed to protect confidentiality.

 

Presenting issue

Although the client felt they was “fine” about the loss, they described still breaking down into tears and noticing a “no care attitude,” alongside reduced focus/motivation and feeling less guided without their mum. Relationship strain (particularly with their partner) was also emerging, as their mother had previously been a key source of emotional and cultural support.

 

Goals

Together we agreed to focus on:

• Regaining focus, motivation and a sense of purpose

• Making sense of ongoing tearfulness and emotional overwhelm

• Exploring the impact of grief on mood, stress symptoms and relationships

 

Approach

In the initial consultation, I completed a brief grief screening (Complicated Grief Questionnaire) to ensure the presentation was appropriate for short-term work.

 

The sessions were primarily person-centred, alongside simple mapping tools to help the client identify patterns and make meaning.

 

Session focus

Assessment + stabilising the work.

Linking grief to day-to-day wellbeing

Mapping patterns + widening emotional awareness

​Relationships + next steps

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Outcome (client-reported)

The client described gaining clarity and perspective, and feeling more at peace. In their feedback, they described the work as helping them “unknot” and understand how grief had been affecting them.

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Note

This support was offered as short-term counselling on client's request for mild grief, with appropriate screening. Grief support is individual, and some clients may benefit from longer-term support.