Grief counselling

How to get started

Find the right Psychologist

Most of our psychologists work in the Melbourne CBD Clinic, and the rest in different locations across Melbourne. You can find out all about our psychologists – when, where and what issues they work with – on our online booking page or you can call our reception on 1300 161 639.

Personal Matching

We recommend that your first step is an online Personal Matching appointment. Research shows that the key to successful outcomes is the relationship between client and psychologist. At Psychology Melbourne, we don't leave that to chance. We offer a personal matching session with one of our trained Matching Psychologists who will expertly choose the right psychologist for you and your issues.

Fees & rebates

GP Referral

All our psychologists are registered with Medicare, allowing clients with a referral and a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) from their GP to receive a substantial rebate.

Note that you do not require a referral from a GP unless you intend to claim a Medicare rebate.

Find out more about MHCP Medicare rebate.

Information for referring GPs

Opening hours

Reception is open:
Mon–Thu 8:30 am - 6:30 pm
Friday 8:30 am - 6 pm
Saturday 9 am - 3 pm
closed public holidays

After hours appointments may also be available.

Find out more about our counselling hours and appointments.

Phone & video counselling

If you are can't get to the clinic, you can use our secure phone and video counselling services. This allows you to get expert, effective psychological help from your home, but also from work or your hotel room when you’re interstate or overseas.

FAQs

See answers to frequently asked questions about our clinics, treatment, EAP, fees and rebates.

medicare rebate

"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference."

—Serenity Prayer of Reinhold Niebuhr

Immediate appointments available
Psychologists Online across Australia for counselling, testing and groups - Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Hobart, Perth and Canberra

What is grief?

Grief is a natural and normal emotion triggered by the loss of a loved one or something one regards as precious. There is no “right way” to grieve, no accepted model and no way of predicting how long the period of grieving will or should last.

In recent decades many people have been troubled by the fact that they did not go through the “five stages of grief” popularized by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross’s. Science now accepts that this hypothesis is not supported by fact and that many people experience completely different emotions and in many — perhaps even the majority of cases — react with resilience and no obvious symptoms of grief.

A more recent controversy has arisen with criticism that the latest edition of the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V) “medicalises” normal grief by encouraging clinicians to diagnose major depression in patients suffering mild depressive symptoms after two weeks of grieving.

Strategies to help manage grief

Loneliness and isolation is a common feeling when someone experiences a loss, but it can be improved by using those around you as an emotional support. Speak to family and friends or a psychologist about your loss and use those willing to assist you with a shoulder to cry on or other forms of support.

Remember to take time for yourself when grieving, and do things that make you happy, such as a long hot bath or going for a walk. Try to avoid excessive use of potentially addictive substances during the grieving process, as they can cause you to suppress your feelings, or act out in anger.

Learn to sit with the feelings and actively deal with them, rather than trying to push them away or ignore them. Acknowledge that you are feeling pain, anger or depression, and also acknowledge that it won’t be this bad forever. When you are ready, you will move on.

When to seek professional assistance

When grief doesn’t go away, emotions like anger, depression or disbelief can stick with you. You may find that your ability to go about your daily routine is hampered by intrusive thoughts of the lost loved one, or you have not yet properly accepted the loss yet. When this happens, it may be time to speak to a professional about your experience.

How Psychology Melbourne can help

Psychology Melbourne has a team of experienced grief counselors, who can help you come to terms with your grief and loss, and assist you with moving forward in a safe environment.

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OUR LOCATIONS

MELBOURNE CBD
(main practice)
2/50 Queen Street
VICTORIA
accessible
Phone 1300 161 639 for all locations
Reception Hours:
Mon - Thurs 8:30 am - 6:30 pm
Fri 8:30 am - 6 pm,  Sat 9 am - 2:30 pm
SYDNEY
NEW SOUTH WALES
BRISBANE
QUEENSLAND
ADELAIDE
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
HOBART
TASMANIA
PERTH
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
CANBERRA
ACT

 

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