Grief Counselling in New Zealand
Grief counselling provides compassionate support for those navigating loss, bereavement, and major life changes.
What is Grief Counselling?
Grief counselling offers a dedicated, compassionate space to process loss in all its forms — the death of a loved one, the end of a relationship, a diagnosis, a miscarriage, or any significant life change. Grief is not a linear process, and a good grief counsellor understands this, making space for whatever form your grief takes. Grief counselling draws on a range of approaches including person-centred therapy, narrative therapy, and grief-specific models such as the Dual Process Model and Continuing Bonds theory.
What to expect in sessions
Grief counselling sessions are typically gentle and unhurried. Your counsellor will create space for you to talk about your loss and the person or thing you've lost — including the good memories, not just the pain. They won't try to rush your grief or suggest it should follow a particular path. Instead, they walk alongside you wherever the grief takes you.
Who it may help
Grief Counselling is often used to support people experiencing:
Practitioners using Grief Counselling
Ruth O'Sullivan
Grief Counsellor
MNZAC
Location
Approaches
Frequently asked questions about Grief Counselling
How many sessions of Grief Counselling will I need?
This varies widely depending on your situation and goals. Some approaches like CBT and solution-focused therapy tend to be shorter-term (6–20 sessions), while others like psychodynamic therapy may continue for months or years. Your therapist will discuss this with you.
Is Grief Counselling available online in New Zealand?
Yes — many New Zealand therapists offer Grief Counselling via online video sessions. This can be just as effective as in-person therapy for many approaches and gives you access to a wider range of practitioners.
How do I know if Grief Counselling is right for me?
The best way is to take our quiz — it considers your specific situation and preferences and suggests approaches that may suit you. You can also discuss it with a therapist in an initial consultation.