A word cloud focused on terms related to grief, including words like "loss," "response," "emotion," "death," "sadness," "individual," and "physical.

Finding Your Way Through Grief: Support & Healing After Loss with Hypnotherapy

Hypnotherapy Treatment in Clevedon

Are you struggling to cope after losing a loved one?

The death of a loved one is heartbreaking. It is probably the hardest thing you are going to go through. The emotions can be overwhelming. 

Grief is a natural response to loss. Everyone will experience it at some point in their lives. Whether it is the loss of a life partner, parent, close friend or a pet causes genuine pain.

Sometimes other people don’t understand that grieving takes time. There is no single way to grieve. We each respond in our own way.

Overwhelmed by grief and unsure of where to turn? I’m here to help. Through hypnotherapy, you can ease physical symptoms and work through your emotions.

woman grieving at a grave needing support

CALL 0770 235 2363 TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT

Grieving man struggling to cope after bereavement

How grief can affect you

Responses to loss vary from person to person. It can affect you emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually. Grief is a total body experience rather than a set of emotions. However, most people’s responses will include a combination of:

    • Intense feelings of sadness, anger, and emotional distress.
    • Feeling drained, lacking energy, or overly active.
    • Sleep disturbances because of either insomnia or oversleeping.
    • Trouble concentrating, memory issues, and cognitive impairment.
    • Withdrawal from friends and family and social isolation.
    • Intense emotional swings involve sadness, anger, and a feeling of numbness.
    • Can affect physical appetite and cause body aches.
    • Guilt and self-blame.  

Understanding the Grieving Process

Everyone experiences grief in their unique way. Your feelings and reactions are valid, as there’s no right or wrong approach. Grief is a normal response to the loss of a loved one.

Grief is something you learn to live with rather than get over.

Being aware of your emotional reactions to loss can make you feel less alone and less critical of yourself. After the death of a loved one, some individuals experience an intense reaction, while others may have delayed or subdued responses. Even when you think you are over it, a memory may bring the pain all back again. There is no right or wrong reaction; all are equally valid.

The purpose of grief

Grief is a natural response to love and attachment, not a problem to be fixed. The goal of grief is to work through the pain of loss so we can find a new way to live, keep the love for those we’ve lost alive, and eventually feel connected to the world again. It functions as a survival strategy, enabling individuals to restructure their existence following the severance of a deeply felt emotional tie, facilitating the transition from denial to acknowledging reality.

Struggling with grief and loss

Rather than it being a weakness, feeling and experiencing your loss is a much healthier option compared to suppressing those emotions.

When you lose someone, grieving is not about forgetting them and moving on, but finding a way to integrate that loss into your new reality. The grief may never disappear, but over time, your life will expand and grow around it. 

Making sense of the loss and building a ‘continuing bond’ with the person is what this step is all about. It’s about planning ways to honour their memory, celebrate their impact, and carry their love forward.

Different Types of Grief

Grief is complex, and everyone responds to loss differently. But how you feel will also depend on the death’s circumstances, your relationship, and cultural or religious practices. It can take many forms. Here is a list of some of the more common types. 

Normal. Even though there is no ‘normal’ this means the expected patterns of grief rather than any of the following.

Anticipatory. Feelings of loss before death occurs. Often follows a terminal illness diagnosis.

Delayed or Absent. Sometimes feelings take time or do not come at all. Which can be distressing to others as well as yourself.

Chronic. This is long term intense grief that lasts for a long period and can lead to anxiety and depression.

Traumatic. Losses that are unexpected or violent. This may lead to PTSD and require therapy to deal with the pain.

Disenfranchised. A loss that cannot be publicly mourned, such as an affair, pet, or grief that isn’t socially validated.

Secondary. Loss related to a death, such as loss of identity, financial, friends, or companionship.

Collective. Grief following a communal tragedy such as a natural disaster, the death of a famous person, or a terrorist attack.

How hypnotherapy can help you cope with grief

During grief, powerful feelings can overwhelm a person’s conscious mind, obscuring their ability to think straight or see a way out of their pain. Hypnotherapy works by guiding a person into a deeply relaxed state, a calm quietness that allows the therapist to access the subconscious mind where many of these raw emotions are held. Within this peaceful and secure environment, you can begin exploring your feelings of loss without succumbing to distress, allowing emotional blocks to healthy grieving to gradually disappear.

Book your Appointment Today

Are you struggling after the loss of a loved one? I can help you find steadier ground, with care and compassion

Telephone 0770 235 2363

Help is available

Support when bereavement is overwhelming with hypnotherapy

 

Grief can be the most powerful emotional experience you can face. You don’t just get over the loss of a loved one, sometimes you need help to find strategies that help you cope with the pain of living without them in your life. Hypnotherapy offers a gentle yet powerful way to help you process this pain.

When to seek help

If you are feeling depressed and struggling to cope with everyday life, or you feel stuck and unable to move on, then professional help such as hypnotherapy can be a good way to help you after your bereavement.

coping with grief after a bereavement

Here are a few ways you can help yourself cope after a bereavement:

Z

Create rituals or memorials

This can mean lighting a candle, celebrating anniversaries, or gathering with friends and family to remember your loved one.

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Do not compare yourself to others

Everyone reacts differently. There is no right or wrong way to grieve. Comparing yourself to others can increase pressure and self-judgement.

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Take care of yourself

It is essential to keep in good health. Not just physically, but also mentally by treating yourself with kindness and compassion.

Working with me to come to terms with grief and find peace

How I can help

Low confidence or self worth is a very common problem and probably and one that I frequently help people with. Treatment involves an initial session to find out which areas of your life this affects and how that manifests itself. Treatment involves an initial session to find out which areas of your life this affects and how that manifests itself. From this, I will find the best way to treat you using a combination of hypnosis, Neuro Linguistic Programming, and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).

Treatment usually takes between 4 and 6 sessions.

They involve practical exercises you can use to help you change negative and unhelpful thoughts into more positive ones. I offer a hypnosis sessions that use visualisations and relaxation techniques to help you transform self-judgment into self-compassion. *

Judith Stafford Hypnotherapy Clevedon

*Disclaimer. Results cannot be guaranteed, as I tailor this therapy to each individual. All I can promise is that I will do my best to help you.

How it works

Treatment usually takes between 4 and 6 sessions depending on your needs. You can pay for each treatment individually or buy a package which includes the initial treatment and 4 following sessions and receive a discount. (See Terms and Conditions for information on fees etc.)

Initial Session

The initial consultation will focus on finding out a bit about you and what you want to achieve from our time together.  I will also explain to you how hypnosis works and what happens when you go into a trance. As well as addressing any questions you may have. Together, we will identify your healing goals and what life would look like for you after our time together. From this, I will create a plan tailored to your specific needs. Then we will finish with a wonderfully relaxing hypnosis so you know what to expect. This session will take up to 1.5 hours.

Subsequent Sessions

In the following sessions I will use the information from our last meeting in our therapy. This will involve using a combination of NLP, CBT and hypnotherapy to help you. Hypnotherapy is a partnership, so we will work together to make the changes you want to see happen. Each session will include hypnosis using guided visualisations and stories to engage with your subconscious. I will also provide you with practical tools and techniques and MP3 recordings that you can use at home. Each session will take 1 hour. 

Not sure if it is right for you? 

FAQs about hypnotherapy loss and grief

What is clinical hypnotherapy, and how does it work for grief and loss?

Hypnotherapy is a therapeutic approach that uses guided relaxation and focused attention to access the subconscious mind. For grief and loss, it helps individuals process deep emotional pain in a safe and calm environment, allowing them to work through feelings that may be difficult to access through conscious thought alone.

Is hypnotherapy suitable for everyone who is grieving?

Hypnotherapy may be beneficial for most people experiencing grief; however, it may not be suitable for individuals with certain mental health conditions such as psychosis or severe depression. A qualified hypnotherapist will always carry out a thorough consultation before beginning any treatment to ensure it is the right approach for each individual.

How soon after a bereavement should I consider hypnotherapy?

There is no set rule for when to begin hypnotherapy after a loss. Some people find it helpful in the early stages of grief, while others may seek support months or even years later. What matters most is that the individual feels ready to engage with the process, and a good hypnotherapist will work at a pace that feels comfortable and appropriate.

How many sessions of hypnotherapy will I need?

The number of sessions required will vary depending on the individual and the nature of their loss. Some people may find significant relief after just a few sessions, while others may benefit from a longer course of treatment. Most hypnotherapists will discuss a recommended treatment plan during the initial consultation and review progress regularly throughout.

How will I feel after a hypnotherapy session for grief?

 Many people report feeling deeply relaxed, lighter, and more at ease following a session. Some may experience an emotional release during or after the session, which is a completely normal and healthy part of the healing process. Occasionally people may feel tired afterwards, and it is a good idea to allow yourself some quiet time to rest and reflect after each session.

Will hypnotherapy make me forget my loved one?

Absolutely not. Hypnosis is not about erasing memories or making you forget the person you have lost. Instead, it aims to help you process the pain associated with the loss and find a way to carry the memory of your loved one with greater peace and comfort. The goal is healing, not forgetting.

What does a hypnotherapy session for grief actually involve?

 A typical session will begin with a conversation about how you are feeling and what you hope to achieve. The hypnotherapist will then guide you into a deeply relaxed state using calming language and breathing techniques. In this relaxed state, gentle suggestions and visualisation techniques may be used to help you process emotions, reframe painful memories, and build inner resilience.

Should I still see my doctor or counsellor alongside hypnotherapy?

Yes, hypnotherapy works very well alongside other forms of support such as GP care, counselling, or bereavement support groups. It is always advisable to inform your doctor if you are experiencing significant emotional difficulties following a bereavement. Hypnotherapy is a complementary therapy and is not intended to replace medical or psychological treatment where it is needed.

Can hypnotherapy help with the physical symptoms of grief?

 Yes, hypnotherapy can be very effective in addressing the physical symptoms that often accompany grief, such as insomnia, fatigue, anxiety, tension, and a weakened immune system. By promoting deep relaxation and reducing stress, hypnotherapy supports both the emotional and physical aspects of the grieving process.

Can hypnotherapy help with complicated or prolonged grief?

 Yes, hypnosis can help those experiencing prolonged and complicated grief, where feelings of loss remain intensely overwhelming for an extended period. It can help to identify and release emotional blocks, address feelings of guilt or regret, and support the individual in finding a healthier relationship with their grief.

Get Started Today

Book your Appointment Today

Feeling Stuck in Your Grief?

You don’t have to navigate this pain alone. Discover a compassionate, safe space to process your loss and find a path toward healing. Let’s begin your journey to peace.

Telephone 0770 235 2363

Book an Appointment

You don’t have to suffer in silence. Get in touch to find out how I can help.

07702352363 

ju****@*****************co.uk 

Address

69 Hill Road
Clevedon
BS21 7PL

Logo of the General Hypnotherapy Register with the text "Registered Practitioner" underneath.

© 2025 Judith Stafford

Clevedon Hypnosis

All Rights Reserved

Book an Appointment

You don’t have to suffer in silence. Get in touch to find out how I can help.

07702352363 

ju****@*****************co.uk 

Address

69 Hill Road
Clevedon
BS21 7PL

Logo of the General Hypnotherapy Register with the text "Registered Practitioner" underneath.

© 2025 Judith Stafford

Clevedon Hypnosis

All Rights Reserved