Grieving Losses That Aren’t Death: Holding Space for the Quiet Griefs
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By Forwards Therapy – Somatic & Holistic Counselling for Trauma, Anxiety & Neurodivergence
When we think of grief, we often associate it with the death of a loved one. But grief is far more complex and wide-reaching. We can grieve experiences, identities, relationships, or stages of life that were deeply meaningful to us — even if there was no death involved.
At Forwards Therapy, I hold space for these quiet, often unseen losses — because they matter too.
What Is Non-Death Grief?
Non-death grief is the emotional pain we feel when something we valued is lost or permanently changed. These losses don’t always receive the same recognition as bereavement, but they can impact our emotional and mental health just as deeply.
Some examples of non-death grief include:
A friendship that faded without closure
Losing a sense of identity after burnout, illness, or parenting
The version of yourself you thought you'd become by now
A job, lifestyle or future you imagined
Childhoods that lacked safety, nurture or stability
The freedom or "normality" others seem to enjoy with ease
Places or people that once felt like home
Losing time to trauma, illness, or survival
These losses can feel confusing or invalidated — especially when others don't see them as "worthy" of grief. But in counselling, we honour what you feel. If something mattered to you, its absence matters too.
How This Grief Affects Us
Unacknowledged grief can live in the body and nervous system. It may show up as:
Persistent sadness or low mood
Anxiety or emotional overwhelm
Difficulty connecting with others
Irritability or numbness
Feeling stuck in the past
Shame or guilt for not “moving on”
Grieving these losses allows us to process what we’ve held inside and begin to integrate them with compassion.
How Counselling Can Help with Non-Death Grief
At Forwards Therapy, I offer a gentle, trauma-informed space to explore these quieter griefs through somatic therapy, person-centred counselling, and holistic approaches tailored to your nervous system and needs.
Together we can:
Name and validate what you’re grieving
Make sense of complex emotions like sadness, anger, guilt or relief
Understand the body’s response to grief (such as shutdown or hyperarousal)
Reconnect with lost parts of yourself
Create rituals or meaning around your losses
Move toward healing in a way that feels empowering, not pressured
You don’t have to rush. You don’t have to explain. Your grief deserves a voice — even if it’s never been spoken before.
Ready to Begin?
If you’re navigating any kind of grief — visible or hidden — and want a compassionate space to explore it, I’m here to walk alongside you.
Get in touch today to book a free 15-minute consultation or explore how therapy could support you. I work with clients across the UK online and in-person in Ringwood and Poole.
Forwards Therapy | Holistic & Somatic Counselling for Trauma, Anxiety, Neurodivergence & Grief
