Support Session/Counselling
Forget the traditional view of counselling and being asked to commit to a number of sessions over weeks or months. Most bereaved pet carers don't need counselling as such but do need support and reassurance that they are not going mad, that the intensity of emotions that they are feeling are normal, that feeling overwhelmed with grief and shock will not last forever and that there is the hope of light at the end of their grieving however unlikely that may seem.
Please use the button above to book a session or make an enquiry.
Session cost is £20, see the Contact me page for more details.
Support for you both pre and post the loss of your pet including death of your pet, having to give up your pet for re-homing and missing pets.
If you are local to me, I’m available to offer support with vet’s visits, euthanasia appointments and funerals. I can advise on practical matters such as aftercare for your pet, including selection of a pet cremation service (see Barnshaw Pet Crematorium page) see also the information page for further details.
If you are pre the loss of your pet and at the stage when euthanasia is the only way forward, you may have many questions about the journey you are about to take together. Decisions need to be made of an emotional and practical nature and forward planning can help to ease the stress and anxiety of a very emotive situation.
Your vet may have explained everything to you but not in the depth and detail that you’d like. Perhaps some things that are concerning you haven’t been mentioned at all.
By reaching out for support, you are preparing yourself for your impending loss and being able to discuss what’s on your mind in a direct and honest way can help you to cope with the process more easily.
By talking things through, you can explore your feelings and emotions which will help reassure you that you are doing the very best for your pet.
It can also help you cope better after the death of your pet needing less if any support at that time.
Common questions asked pre the loss of a pet include:
How can I be sure I’m doing the right thing and at the right time for my pet
Will my pet feel any pain
I don’t know what to expect at the vets on the day
Will I be able to hold my pet during euthanasia
Can the euthanasia be performed at home
Do I have to leave my pet at the vets afterwards, can I bring them home
How long will it take
Will my pet’s eyes be open afterwards, I don’t know what to expect, what they will look like
Do I have to use the crematorium the vet uses or can I choose my own
The loss of a pet can be completely devastating whatever the circumstances, the emotions overwhelming, and the impact can be felt for a long time, weeks, sometimes months.
You may feel totally alone with your loss and grief with no idea how to begin to navigate your way through it.
I offer you a compassionate ear, listening to your story and feelings giving you the opportunity to feel heard without any judgement. You can say how you really feel without holding back.
Your story is important to you, it is about you, your relationship with your pet and the strength of the bond that you share together. It deserves to be told and validated.
Sometimes well meaning people may tell you to move on and get over your pet, it’s only a pet, get another one. This is so painful and unhelpful.
I want you to feel valued and supported, that the grief you are experiencing matters and finding your way through it is important. I want you to feel that you are in a safe space during our sessions and I’ll do everything that I can to make you feel comfortable.
That’s what I’m here for – to help you do just that.
I will guide and support you through your grieving process helping you gain acceptance of your loss. We work at your pace, there is never any rush.
I understand that you may feel as if you are on a roller-coaster emotions wise. Together we’ll work towards you being able to deal with them and come out the other side.
Just as in pre pet loss, post pet loss there are common questions and themes that effect many pet carers. Here are some them:
I should have done more for my pet
I should have seen that they were ill sooner
I should have got a second opinion
I feel so guilty
I’ll never get over this/ life will never feel normal again/ I can’t go on without them
I cry all the time thinking about my pet
I wish I hadn’t left my pet at the vet
I should have stayed with them at the end
My other pets seem to be taking it badly and not coping well
Will I really get back only my pet’s ashes, can I be sure?
You may have other questions and I'll do my best to answer them for you in an honest and straightforward way. Please use the button at the top of the page or see the contacts page for details of how to get in touch.
Remember that it is your grief that you are going through and experiencing, no one else's.
There is no right way to grieve, only the way that feels right to you.
I adhere to the National Counselling Society code of ethics and the code of ethics of the Association of Pet Bereavement Counsellors.
At every point of our contact, you will be recieving the benefit of my experience, all of my skills and complete commitment to our working relationship.