Grief Counselling
Any loss of something significant that was expected to last and that you weren’t ready to let go of creates grief: the death of beloved human or furry family member, the end of an important relationship, the loss of physical ability or a role that gave you meaning (for example through retirement or the kids leaving the house), to name just a few.
In the blink of an eye, your life is completely different from what it was before. And what it was before meant everything to you. When that happens, you don’t just lose the life companion or the role, you also lose the part of yourself that was connected to it, including your hopes, dreams, and expectations for the future.
Grief goes through phases that aren’t linear and often unpredictable, and talking can be incredibly helpful. After a certain time, though, it becomes visible that everyone else’s lives go on like nothing happened, while in the life of the bereaved nothing is as it was. This mismatch can put a strain on friendships and add to the already existing energy drain.
This is where grief support comes in. A grief counsellor is not involved in the day-to-day life and has no expectations that come with personal relationships. For a grief counsellor, conversations about the grieving person’s thoughts and feelings are never too much. There is no need to play a role or pretend to be happy. A grief counsellor can hold space for your feelings and doesn’t want to fix you or the situation, but supports you through the process, however long it will last. Grief never actually ends. Life has a tendency to grow around it. The acute, most painful phase does not last forever.
Another advantage is having a neutral person to help you process your experiences with friends and family. Some of those experiences are positive, others can be disappointing - it helps to talk about them without being judged. And sometimes it feels good to just vent.
My services
Are you looking for a professional to talk to about your grief? I offer one-to-one sessions, via audio or video call, with flexible scheduling, designed to fit easily into your life, no matter where in the world you are. I’m available for in-person sessions upon request.
Are you looking for support during the extraordinary time between a loved one’s terminal diagnosis and their passing? I provide emotional support for people who are juggling the organisational side of things with the wish to have a conscious goodbye while trying to stay sane and not break under the incredible amount of stress. Because life tends to be crazy-busy during this time, but having a place to vent, sort thoughts, information and feelings is so important, time-lagged voice message exchange is a practicable way to stay in touch.
Are you looking for family counselling or a grief retreat? I organise group sessions and events upon request, tailoring the agenda to the group’s needs.
Are you an expat in Germany grieving far away from your family? I offer grief counselling in English and German, in-person in Cologne or via video call, with flexible scheduling to fit into your busy day.
I like to use creative techniques to conserve memories and process feelings and farewell rituals that support closure. The choice of techniques is tailored to the client’s situation.
Coaching
When your life has been turned upside down and you’re trying to get back on your feet and design your life going forward, I help you sort and navigate thoughts and feelings and explore options. I offer coaching and non-clinical emotional support in English and German, worldwide.
Common topics I cover: divorce / separation, retirement, empty nest, job insecurity or loss, feeling lost, illness / cancer diagnosis, and other major life transitions. My work combines conversation and creativity, reflection and reframing, acceptance and alignment, exploration and empowerment, and compassion and curiosity.
I use The LIFE Method, as described in my book, Life: A Manual, as the foundation of my coaching work. It’s a four-step framework that helps you understand your past, identify and challenge internal roadblocks, let go of what no longer serves you, and consciously design the life you want to live. It gets customised and applied to each specific case.
The LIFE Method
Log – Understand what has shaped your life so far
Identify – Recognise patterns, beliefs, and roadblocks
Free – Let go of what no longer serves you
Express – Design a life aligned with who you truly are
If you’d like to learn how that could work for you, please book a complimentary consultation.
I am not a licensed psychotherapist, psychologist, psychiatrist, physician, or medical professional. My services are non-clinical in nature and are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure mental health conditions or medical illnesses, nor do they replace therapy, psychiatric care, or medical treatment. Coaching can be a valuable complement to therapy, medical care, or other professional support, but it is not a substitute for these services.
Grief Counselling & Coaching
I am a member of the German federal association for grief counselling and have been supporting grieving children, teenagers, and adults for almost a decade.