People diagnosed with life-limiting illnesses may live for weeks, months or years, and some days will be more active than others.  Positive mental health plays a big part in ensuring patients have the best quality of life, regardless of how long that may be.

Counselling can help you deal with the acute stresses and life changes associated with life-limiting diagnoses.  It helps with some of the feelings you may experience such as guilt, anger, anxiety, fear, depression, loss of personal identity, loneliness, grieving for self, loss of meaning, sadness and helplessness.  In therapy, spiritual and existential distress is often explored by patients and can provide a comfortable space to have conversations which may be impossible to have in other settings, where you may be protecting family/friends or feel that you need to be seen to be always ‘positive.’

For some patients, diaries can quickly become all about medical appointments and ‘putting on a brave face’ in the world and avoiding ‘being sad’ at home because of the desire to leave happy memories. Counselling can therefore be a refreshing space for patients to escape and, in a comfortable, safe environment, be raw, unfiltered and authentic.  

In my work with patients, I also support them to prepare themselves and their families  (including children) and friends for what is to come, and signpost to further practical and emotional support including children’s services as appropriate.   

It may be that your healthcare provider or local hospice can offer you free-of-charge counselling and support groups.  However, if you would like private therapy, please do get in touch and we can explore together how I may be able to support you individually, or as a couple or family group.

 I offer sessions in person, by Zoom or telephone. I also undertake home visits up to 10 miles from Guildford, Surrey (fees subject to discussion).