Support through grief and loss
Grief is a natural response to losing someone or something important to us, yet it can feel overwhelming, confusing and isolating. There is no right way to grieve and no set timeline. Counselling offers a place to talk openly about your loss, without needing to be strong.
Registered psychologists and counsellors in attendance at Brisbane Counselling Centre support people through bereavement and other significant losses. Our rooms are in Brisbane CBD on Wickham Terrace, Spring Hill, behind Central Station, with telehealth also available.
Written and clinically reviewed by Natascha Madden, Registered Psychologist (AHPRA reg. PSY0000953827), Brisbane Counselling Centre. Last reviewed: September 2026
What is grief?
Grief is the emotional, physical, mental and social reaction to loss. It is most often associated with the death of someone close, but it can follow any significant loss, including the end of a relationship, the loss of a job, a change in health or identity, or the loss of a pet.
Types of loss we support
- The death of a partner, parent, child, friend or other loved one
- Sudden, traumatic or unexpected loss
- Loss of a relationship through separation or divorce
- Pregnancy loss, stillbirth or infertility
- Loss of a job, health, identity or future you had imagined
- Anticipatory grief when someone you love is seriously ill
- Loss of a pet
Are there stages of grief?
You may have heard of the five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. These describe feelings many people recognise, but they are not a fixed sequence that everyone follows. Grief is rarely a straight line. People move back and forth, feel several things at once, and find that waves return on anniversaries or on ordinary days. If your grief does not match a list of stages, that does not mean you are doing it wrong.
How grief can show up
Grief is not only sadness. People often experience a mix of the following, sometimes all in the same day.
- Waves of sadness, numbness, anger, guilt or relief
- Difficulty sleeping, changes in appetite and physical exhaustion
- Trouble concentrating or feeling foggy
- Withdrawing from friends, work or things you usually enjoy
- Preoccupation with the person or the circumstances of the loss
- Feeling that life has lost its meaning
When grief feels stuck: prolonged grief
For most people, the intensity of grief eases gradually over time. For some, the pain remains intense, and daily life is hard to resume many months after the loss. When intense grief persists and continues to interfere with daily life, it may be prolonged grief disorder, a recognised condition that responds well to support. You can read more in our article on prolonged grief disorder: recognition and treatment.
What grief counselling involves
Your psychologist or counsellor will not try to hurry you through grief or tell you how you should feel. Sessions give you space to talk about the person or the loss, make sense of what you are feeling, and find ways to cope with the days and moments that are hardest. Over time, counselling can help you build a life that carries the loss with you, and to reconnect with the things that matter.
When a loss has been sudden or traumatic, or has brought up earlier experiences of loss, your practitioner may also draw on trauma-informed approaches. See our pages on EMDR and trauma and PTSD for more information.
If you need urgent support
If you are having thoughts of harming yourself, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14, or call 000 in an emergency. You can also call Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.
How do I book an appointment for grief counselling?
Take the following steps to make an appointment:
- Please call (07) 3831 4452 or complete our enquiry form. Our reception team will talk through what you are looking for and suggest a suitable practitioner. You do not need a referral to book.
- See your GP if you want a Medicare rebate. Ask for a Mental Health Treatment Plan. You can book with us before or after that appointment. If you have private health cover, you may be eligible for a rebate through your health insurance. It is best to check with your health insurance provider.
- Attend your first session. Bring your Medicare card and your plan if you have one. Nothing else to prepare.
Brisbane Counselling Centre is at Level 7, 87 Wickham Terrace, Spring Hill, near the Brisbane CBD, about five minutes’ walk from Central Station. We are open Monday to Friday 7:30am to 5:30pm and Saturday 8:30am to 5:00pm. Online and telephone sessions are available if you cannot attend in person.
Meet our psychologists and counsellors or see our fees and rebate information.
Frequently asked questions
How long does grief last?
Is it normal to feel angry or numb after a loss?
When should I see a psychologist or counsellor for grief?
Can counselling help if the loss was a long time ago?
Can therapy help with grief after a sudden or traumatic loss?
Can I claim Medicare for grief counselling?
Do you offer telehealth for grief counselling?
We can help
Connecting with one of the trained psychologists or counsellors at Brisbane Counselling Centre, who care about you and are understanding of your grief can really help to decrease your emotional pain and distress you are feeling. The psychologists and counsellors are available to help. Please call to speak with one of our friendly team members to discuss your needs further.
