Counselling for Grief and Loss in Tonbridge

I contacted Jean because she had been recommended as a ‘warm and empathic’ counsellor and this was how I experienced Jean too.

I came to therapy with what I thought was a grief that was behind me, I soon realised I’d just buried my grief, I felt numb and had shut down. I feared that if I opened it back up, I might never get myself back together again.  Jean helped me navigate and process the complexity of my loss with compassion, empathy and understanding.

It quickly became clear I had totally bottled up the grief of losing both my parents, I didn’t know how to grieve, I was also carrying suppressed medical trauma after nearly losing my life 3 years previously.  My way of coping was to ‘get on’ and ‘keep going’ but inside I was so dysfunctional.
Jean helped me to look inside myself to uncover my ways of coping, she helped me gain insight from relationship patterns and experiences in childhood.  My counselling journey has equipped me to manage relationships better and I’ve learnt how to look after myself so I can care for others better.

"I was able to talk openly about my personal family situation in a safe space.

It was invaluable to have my own thoughts validated by a professional counsellor.

I was quite overwhelmed with my thoughts when I first started counselling but the sessions and tools I acquired enabled me to calm my thoughts and view my situation more clearly.

You also suggested that I write down my thoughts. I found that process incredibly helpful and I still do that when I feel the need to.  I also found that the visual images of my situation were so useful in helping me to understand my family situation. 

I greatly appreciated your compassion when you advised me at the end of particularly emotional sessions to be kind to myself for the rest of the day."

I came to very deep and honest realisations. It was like walking through a dark cave at times, and knowing you have someone patting you on the back and guiding you through it.

I now have an outlet of different strategies I can call back on if ever I need them, which were tried and tested through my sessions with Jean, I have a lot more knowledge about why my mind works in particular ways, and I now know that it is all entirely normal to sometimes feel the way I do.

I have recommended Jean to multiple different people and will continue to do so.

I feel good and proud of myself. You have created an environment where I could discuss anything without fear of judgement. I felt liberated to finally say how I felt and that it was justified.

I learned that I was NOT WEIRD! I have no doubt I will start counselling again.