Professional grief and loss counselling, online via telehealth.

Grief is a naturally occurring and normal human emotion normally onset through the loss of a loved one or of something deeply important or significant, such as the end of a marriage or long-term relationship, miscarriage, or job loss.
 

Grief can be incredibly painful and difficult to live through and move past.

As often is the case, grief is accompanied by other intense emotions such as anger, sadness, guilt and disbelief – which can cause what may feel like an exhausting, unshakeable depression.

It’s common for those experiencing grief to assign responsibility for the loss – often putting unnecessary blame upon themselves or others which can cause further issues personally or with relationships.

For a considerable period of time, it was widely believed that humans process grief by moving through five stages – you may have even heard the ‘Five Stages of Grief’ model developed by Swiss American psychiatrist Elizabeth Kübler-Ross in 1969.

This model suggests we move through five distinct stages:

1. Denial

2. Anger

3. Bargaining

4. Depression

5. Acceptance

There is now new research and a consensus that while this model is helpful in understanding grief processing – all humans experience their emotions differently.

Also, the grief we experience is very contextual and most psychologists have a better understanding how other existing mental health struggles will impact how we respond to loss or grief.

Online grief counselling delivered via telehealth is not a new concept and was already growing at a steady rate prior to 2020.

However, during the global pandemic two factors at play greatly accelerated the adoption of online grief treatment:

1. Forced social distancing which made e-health and online treatment the norm

2. Increased feelings of loss such as sudden passing of otherwise healthy loved ones, the loss of previously stable employment and that many relationships struggled during extended periods of lockdown.

At Online Psychologists Australia, our dedicated and professional team help patients of all ages, genders and backgrounds deal with and process their grief using empathy and understanding alongside evidence-based methods proven to help unpack and experience grief in a normal and healthy way.

Medicare rebated grief counselling with a caring and experienced Australian psychologist.

One of the misconceptions with online grief counselling when compared to face-to-face support is that it’s not rebated under Medicare or as part of a Mental Health Care Plan – this is not the case.

At Online Psychologists Australia our sessions are rebated through Medicare.

You’ll be individually matched with an expert psychologist that best meets your unique needs and preferences so your online grief counselling can be as effective as possible.

Coping with grief and loss

Everybody’s experience with grief and loss is different, however there are several common or consistent responses we frequently see when helping individuals process grief, these include:
 

• Intense feelings of sadness

• Trouble maintaining a normal, healthy routine

• An inability to stop blaming yourself (or others)

• Self-isolation or withdrawal from support systems

• Issues with focus which can impact school or work performance

• Self-destructive behaviours such as excessive drinking or substance abuse

• Feeling numb or detached from the emotion

In some circumstances, known as complicated grief, the emotions around the loss can become very intense, signs of those experiencing this type of grief include:
 

• The inability to enjoy life or experience any positive emotions

• The feeling that life is not worth living

• Deep unshakeable sadness and sorrow

• Suicidal thoughts

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Speaking to a professional and receiving grief counselling with Online Psychologists Australia is Medicare rebated, allowing you to focus on healing.

Get online grief counselling with a professional psychologist today

Reaching out and accessing support for grief can be tough, however the benefits of doing so can be lifechanging.

Our warm, empathetic and understanding team of professionals are ready to help.

At Online Psychologists Australia, we offer a free, no obligation 15-minute consultation where we’ll personally match you with a psychologist that best meets your unique needs.

All of our sessions are claimable through Medicare.

Get the help you need today.

If you're having thoughts of self-harm or suicide.

If you’re having thoughts of self-harm or suicide, there are many organisations that can help you 24 hours, 7 days a week. They include:
 

• Lifeline - 13 11 14

• Beyond Blue - 1300 22 4636

• Suicide Call Back Service - 1300 659 467

• MensLine Australia (counselling service for men) - 1300 78 99 78

• Kids Helpline (for young people up to 25 years) - 1800 55 1800

• Open Arms (for veterans, ex-serving personnel and their families) - 1800 011 046