Childhood bereavement support helps children and young people understand and navigate their feelings following a loss. Every child experiences grief differently, and support is tailored to their age, development, relationships, and individual needs.

Children often move in and out of grief. They may express their feelings through play, behaviour, questions, emotions, withdrawal, or changes in routines rather than through words. My approach recognises that children need a safe space to process loss in their own way.

Support can be helpful at any stage of grief, whether the loss is recent, happened some time ago, or difficulties are appearing later.

You may notice:

•  increased anxiety or worry

•  changes in behaviour

•  anger or withdrawal

•  difficulties at school

•  sleep changes

•  difficulty talking about the person who died

•  feeling “stuck” in grief

No. There is no single “right” way to grieve. Grief is personal and influenced by relationships, age, experiences, family circumstances, and the meaning of the loss.

Complex grief is when grief feels particularly difficult to process or continues to significantly impact everyday life. This can happen after sudden, traumatic, multiple, or deeply significant losses.

Support can help individuals and families understand these experiences and find ways to move forward while maintaining a connection to the person who has died.

Secondary losses are the additional changes that happen after a bereavement, beyond the death itself.

These may include:

•  changes in family roles

•  loss of routines

•  changes in relationships

•  financial or practical changes

•  changes in identity or future expectations

Recognising these wider impacts is an important part of supporting the whole family.

Yes. Supporting the adults around a child is an important part of helping children through grief. Parent and carer sessions can provide guidance, understanding, and practical strategies for supporting children.

Yes. Family sessions provide space for family members to explore grief together, improve communication, understand each other’s experiences, and rebuild connection after loss.

There is no set timeframe. Some people may benefit from a few sessions, while others may need longer-term support. This is discussed together and reviewed according to individual needs.

No. Children are supported at their own pace. Sessions may involve talking, creative approaches, activities, reflection, or simply having a safe space to build trust and express emotions.

I support children, young people, and families across different stages of development.

Support is adapted to the individual child and their needs.

Yes. I provide support and professional training around childhood bereavement, complex grief, trauma-informed practice, and supporting children and families.

My approach combines over 32 years of experience working with children, young people,

and families, specialist bereavement knowledge, and systemic family thinking. I recognise that every person’s grief journey is unique and that relationships, connection, and everyday moments can play an important part in healing.