Online grief counselling is growing in popularity. You might’ve seen it referred to as “online grief therapy”, or by its American spelling, “online grief counseling”. It’s a good option if you’re looking for grief support from the comfort of your own home, or any other space that’s convenient for you. Here you can find info on the different options available to you, what to expect and where to find them.
What is online grief counselling?
Online grief counselling is any type of grief counselling that you access through the internet. While some people like face-to-face interaction with bereavement counsellors and others who’ve experienced bereavement, some people find online interactions easier.
Why consider online grief support?
Online grief counselling could be a good choice for you if you have a busy schedule and don’t have time to travel to in-person sessions. It could also be an option if you’ve found that in-person counsellors near you have long waiting lists. A study by Sue Ryder charity found that 70% of respondents couldn’t access the support they would’ve liked after they experienced a close bereavement, with 28% of respondents struggling to access counselling. This is where online alternatives could come in useful, either replacing in-person sessions or supporting you until you move up the waiting list.
Other reasons to consider online options include being able to maintain a sense of anonymity, getting a quick answer to a question you have, or having the chance to listen in to others’ conversations on loss without necessarily joining in.
Types of online grief counselling
There are different types of grief counselling online. Here are some that you might find helpful, as well as info on where to find these types of online grief counselling in the UK.
Video Calls
Video calls tend to be what springs to mind when people talk about online therapy for grief. This type of counselling is usually one to one and gives you the chance to talk to a bereavement counsellor or therapist about what you’re going through. They can help you understand your emotions and recommend healthy ways to cope with them. You can get free online grief counselling through the NHS using “Find an NHS talking therapies service”.
Online Chat
If you don’t want to talk to someone on a call and find writing easier, you might find that online chat is a good option for you. You’ll find the best support through therapy apps that connect you with an experienced therapist through chat features or by text messages.
Some options are:
- Shout – a free text service
- GriefChat – a free instant chat service
- BetterHelp – a paid therapy app
Support Groups
Online grief counselling doesn’t always have to be therapy sessions with a professional. You can find a lot of support from others who are in a similar position to you too. These are safe spaces where you can openly discuss what you’re experiencing. These groups usually have someone leading the conversation. This might be a professional or might be a member of the group who’s happy to manage the session. You might hear stories that you can relate to, making it a good space to receive and share advice.
Forums
Forums offer a space where people can discuss their grief online. You might find them useful as a space to vent or to seek advice and support from others who are grieving. It’s important to be aware that these spaces aren’t usually run or monitored by experts or professionals, so a lot of the discussions are purely opinion and experience based. It’s also a good idea to make sure that the forum you choose is still active. Occasionally you can find a relevant post that has been inactive for some time, so you might not get a response when commenting on it.
Some good examples of grief forums are:
Finding the right support
Only you can know the best type of online grief support for you. Consider what you’re most comfortable with. Could this be video calls where you can still see people’s expressions? Would you prefer phone calls to hear voices without necessarily being on screen? Perhaps you find typing easiest.
Remember that you can trial different types of online grief therapy too. If you find your first choice isn’t working for you, you can always stop and try something else. It may take a little trial and error to find what best meets your needs.
If you’re ever in doubt, speak to your GP. They could make some recommendations of options that they think would be good for you.
Image by Matilda Wormwood on Pexels.
