Grief is not only about death. It arises whenever we lose something that matters: a person, a relationship, a job, our health, a stage of life. Living far from home can leave you grieving without your usual circle around you. Grief is a natural response to loss, but when the pain gets stuck and will not ease, you do not have to go through it without support.
When we hear the word "grief", we almost always think of someone's death. But in psychology, grief is the natural response to any significant loss: the end of an important bond, whether with a person, a relationship, a project or a stage of life.
Some losses are not easily recognised by others: the end of a marriage, losing a job, a diagnosis that changes everything, children leaving home. Because they are not linked to a death, the pain is often lived in silence, without validation, and that makes it even heavier. Recognising that what you feel is, in fact, grief is already a first step.
The loss of a family member, a friend or a pet. The most widely recognised form of grief.
A separation or divorce is a particular grief: mourning the loss of someone who is still present.
Losing a job or retiring affects not only income, but identity and a sense of purpose.
A diagnosis or a physical limitation brings grief for a life and a body that used to be different.
Moving country, the empty nest, the end of a chapter: transitions that carry real losses.
The pain that begins before the loss happens, facing a serious illness or an imminent separation.
"Grief is love with nowhere to go. In therapy, we find a place for it together."
There is no right way to grieve, and no deadline for the pain to pass. Each person reacts uniquely, depending on their history and the bond they lost. Even so, there are common signs, and recognising them helps you see that what you feel makes sense.
Tiredness, poor sleep, tightness in the chest, changes in appetite, a sense of physical emptiness.
Deep sadness, anger, guilt, fear, moments of numbness or irritability.
Difficulty concentrating, withdrawing from others, losing a sense of meaning in routines.
There is no formula for grief. My approach always starts from you: your history, the bond you lost and what you need right now. I work with evidence-based methods, in a safe space, without judgement, and in fluent English.
A first space to give voice to your loss, at your pace, without rushing and without judgement.
Make sense of what you feel, recognise the emotions of grief and see what keeps you tied to the pain.
Find a way to keep living and to relearn daily life, without the pain taking up everything.
Supporting someone through grief requires specific preparation. Throughout my career I have dedicated advanced training precisely to this area and to contexts close to loss, and I work in fluent English with the international community in Lisbon.
"Supporting someone through grief is walking beside them as they relearn how to live. I do not rush that path; I respect it."
It makes complete sense. Grief is not exclusive to death: a separation, losing a job, an illness or a major life change all create real grief. That these losses are less recognised by others does not make your pain less valid. Often it is precisely why you need a space to live it.
Yes. Grief has no deadline. Some people seek support weeks after a loss, others years later, when they realise the pain still shapes their life. It is never too late to be supported.
Both options are available. In-person sessions take place in Lisbon, on Avenida do Brasil. Online sessions are held by video call, with the same quality of support, wherever you are.
Yes. I offer therapy in fluent English to the international community in Lisbon and across Portugal. Grieving far from home, without your usual support around you, is especially hard, and being heard in your own language helps.
It is natural to fear that. Therapy does not force anyone to relive the pain: it creates a safe space where you can talk at your own pace. Over time, giving voice to what you feel usually brings relief, not more pain.
Book your session, at your own pace, so you no longer face the loss alone. In person in Lisbon or online, by video call.
Book a Session50-minute session · in person or online · confidential