Loss & Bereavement Parent Counselling
Are you preparing your child for the loss of a loved one due to illness? Have you experienced an unexpected or traumatic death in the family and you don’t know how and what to tell your child/children?
When a child experiences the death of someone close, it is likely to be devastating. According to UK child bereavement charity, Grief Encounter, 1 in 29 children suffer the death of a parent before they are 16. What makes it even harder is the adult supporting the child is grieving themselves.
Having time to prepare a child for the death of someone close can make a huge difference and our team can help you prepare for their loss. We can advise on how to stay connected when someone is seriously ill, help you work out what you want to say about the illness or death and and how to respond to difficult questions or intense emotions that might emerge. If on the other hand you have experienced an unexpected or traumatic death in your family or community, reaching out for that first conversation can be a powerful way to find your centre during a storm.
It’s important to remember that most children and young people are resilient and can recover from major life events with the right emotional support at the right time. Our team can provide a safe space to reflect on the emotional needs of your child/ren and help you find the words and the ways to support them through their grief. Learn more, about our parent counselling sessions or Book Today.
Our Experts in Loss & Bereavement
Karen Lever
Child & Adolescent Psychotherapist
I manage therapeutic services in two London primary schools, as well as supporting trainee psychotherapists. I also work clinically with children.
Helen Curren-Anaman
Child & Adolescent Psychotherapist
I have over 20 years of experience practicing within private, public, and charity settings offering consultations for children, young people, and families.
Clemmie Mason
Child & Adolescent Psychotherapist
I have over 12 years experience working with children and their families and more recently have started offering more focussed support to parents and carers.
Adriana Buzetto
Child & Adolescent Psychotherapist
I am a Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist also trained in Child-Parent Relationship Therapy, working with children, adolescents, and families for over 15 years in the UK, Spain, and Brazil.
Beatrice Norville
Systematic Family & Child Parent Relationship Therapy Practitioner
I am a Counsellor (adults, children and young people), Systemic Family Practitioner (families and couples), Child Parent Relationship Therapy Practitioner (parents). I am passionately committed to supporting parents and their families with their struggles.
Parenting Blog
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If it’s not your industry, finding a therapist (or counsellor) for your child can be a confusing and sometimes stressful business. Given that you may well be seeking a counsellor because you are feeling anxious anyway, making sense of the many different kinds of therapist qualifications, registering bodies and the huge variation in fees can be overwhelming. If you do think you’ve found just the right therapist, they may have long waiting lists or live miles away. Here we aim to make the process easier by giving some information on qualifications, approved databases and what Child in Time can do to help…. Read more. - Helping Children Cope with Grief
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Additional Parent Resources
There are many exceptional resources for parents available online but it can be hard to find them if you don’t know where to look. Our team has compiled a list of recommended organisations, website and helplines for a wide range of parenting concerns. As well as support for more serious mental health issues, you’ll find our latest creations and recommendations of parenting videos, podcasts and books to add to your reading list. Learn more…
Recommendations for Parents
“Muddles Puddles and Sunshine” by Diana Crossley and Kate Sheppard. An activity book to help when someone has died.
“The Secret C: Straight Talking About Cancer” by Julie Stokes. Supporting parents & carers with open communication and questions about cancer within the family.
“Beyond the Rough Rock” by Di Stubbs & Julie Stokes. Practical advice for families in the immediate days and weeks following a death by suicide.
Recommendations for Children
“Badgers Parting Gift” by Susan Varley. Provides young children with a means to understand grief.
The Sad Book” by Michael Rosen. A heartbreakingly honest account of a father’s grief for his son.
“Milly’s Bug Nut” by Jill Janney. A story of a family finding their way through bereavement.
“The Day the Sea Went Out and Never Came Back” by Margot Sunderland. A story for children who have lost someone they love.
“The Memory Box” by Joanna Rowland. A story about dealing with the loss of a loved one.
“The Invisible String” by Patrice Karst. A picture book about the unbreakable connections between loved ones.
“Missing Mummy” by Rebecca Cobb. Tells the story of the loss of a parent from a child’s point of view.
Recommended Organisations
Grief Encounter. Support for bereaved children & young people.
Winston’s Wishes. Bereavement support for children, young people and families.
Child Bereavement UK. Advice on coping with bereavement.
FAQs
How do children understand grief at different ages?
Children’s understanding of grief changes as they develop. Younger children may struggle to fully understand the permanence of death and can move in and out of grief quickly through play and everyday activities. Older children and teenagers may have a deeper understanding of loss but can experience more complex emotions, questions and worries. Every child grieves differently, and there is no “right” way to respond to bereavement.
What does grief look like in children?
Grief can affect children emotionally, physically and behaviourally. Some children become tearful, anxious or withdrawn, while others may appear angry, unsettled or more clingy than usual. Changes in sleep, appetite, concentration or behaviour are also common. Children may revisit grief at different developmental stages as their understanding grows over time.
How can parents talk to children about death?
Using honest, clear and age-appropriate language can help children feel safer and less confused. Although these conversations can feel difficult, avoiding euphemisms can help children better understand what has happened. Children often benefit from reassurance, opportunities to ask questions and knowing that all feelings are welcome.
Why might grief show up as anger or withdrawal?
Children do not always have the words or emotional maturity to express grief directly. Feelings of sadness, confusion, fear or helplessness can sometimes appear as anger, irritability, emotional outbursts or withdrawal. Behaviour often reflects the emotional impact of loss rather than deliberate “bad behaviour”.
How can schools support grieving children?
Schools can play an important role by offering consistency, understanding and emotional safety. Gentle communication between school and home, flexible expectations and emotionally supportive adults can help children feel contained during difficult periods. Small adjustments and compassionate understanding can make a significant difference.
What helps children process bereavement safely?
Children process grief best when they feel emotionally safe, listened to and supported by trusted adults. Open conversations, opportunities for play and expression, routines and permission to talk about the person who has died can all help. Grief often moves in waves, and children may need ongoing support over time.
How can parents support grieving teenagers?
Teenagers may grieve in ways that are not always immediately visible. Some may withdraw, spend more time alone or struggle to communicate feelings openly. Maintaining connection without pressure, listening calmly and validating emotions can help teenagers feel supported while still respecting their growing independence.
When should a child receive additional bereavement support?
Additional support may be helpful if grief feels prolonged, overwhelming or begins to significantly affect a child’s emotional wellbeing, relationships, school life or daily functioning. Parents may also seek support if they feel unsure how best to respond to changes in behaviour or emotional distress following a bereavement.
