Loss and Grief

Navigating change, heartbreak, and the process of healing

Loss is an unavoidable part of being human. It may come through the death of a loved one, the end of a relationship, miscarriage, infertility, illness, the loss of health, work, identity, or a hoped-for future. Grief is the natural emotional response to these experiences.

Grief does not follow a straight line. It can feel overwhelming one moment and distant the next. Many people are surprised by how long it lasts or by the intensity of their emotions. There is no “right way” to grieve.

At SGI Psychology in Preston (Northern Suburbs of Melbourne), our psychologists offer compassionate support to help you process loss, honour what has changed, and find a way forward at your own pace.

What grief can look like

Grief affects people in many different ways. You may experience:

  • deep sadness or waves of crying

  • numbness or emotional emptiness

  • shock or disbelief

  • longing for what or who is gone

  • guilt, regret, or anger

  • anxiety or fear about the future

  • difficulty concentrating

  • changes in sleep or appetite

  • fatigue or low motivation

  • feeling disconnected from others

These reactions are normal responses to loss. They do not mean something is “wrong” with you.

When grief feels complicated

For some people, grief becomes particularly difficult when:

  • the loss was sudden or traumatic

  • the relationship was complex or unresolved

  • multiple losses occur close together

  • there is little social support

  • grief is combined with anxiety or depression

  • life circumstances do not allow time to process

This is sometimes referred to as complicated or prolonged grief. Therapy can provide a safe space to explore what feels stuck and gently support healing.

How therapy can help with loss and grief

Grief therapy is not about “moving on” or forgetting. It is about:

  • creating space to express what feels unspeakable

  • making sense of complex emotions

  • reducing isolation and loneliness

  • processing unresolved aspects of loss

  • learning to live with what has changed

  • rebuilding meaning and identity

  • finding ways to carry memories with less pain

Therapy respects your pace. Some people want to talk; others need time to sit quietly with what they feel. Both are valid.

Approaches we use

Your psychologist may draw from:

  • Compassion-focused therapy

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

  • Mindfulness-based approaches

  • Narrative therapy

  • Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)

  • Trauma-informed care when relevant

Support is tailored to your experience and what you need most.

Our location

SGI Psychology is based in Preston, in Melbourne’s northern suburbs, offering:

  • in-person psychology appointments

  • Telehealth sessions Australia-wide

Book an appointment

If you are struggling with loss or grief, you can:

You do not have to grieve alone. Support is available.

Book a Session