Loss can change the shape of everyday life. Grief counselling offers room to talk about bereavement, separation or another significant loss, without pressure to have the right words. You can meet with Dr Jonathan Haverkampf in Dublin 2, or by Zoom where suitable.
Read about Jonathan and his approach, check the fees or view appointment times. You can also begin with the free grief-support guide and its public and bereavement support routes.
Grief is not an illness in itself. The point of therapy is not to take away love, erase what happened, or hurry someone into “moving on.” It is a place to speak frankly about what has changed, to put some shape around the loss, and to find a way of living that feels a little more bearable.
What grief counselling can offer
Grief does not usually follow a neat path. In the course of a single day, there may be sadness, numbness, anger, relief, longing, confusion, fear, or practical overwhelm. It can be necessary to have room to talk about the person, relationship, role, or way of life that is gone. There may also be unfinished conversations, regret, anger, family tension, or pressure from yourself or others to put on a better face than you can manage.
When grief and depression overlap
Grief can bring deep sadness and a temporary loss of interest in ordinary things. Depression tends to be more unrelenting. It may involve hopelessness, harsh self-criticism, loss of basic functioning, changes in sleep or appetite, dangerous substance use, or thoughts of death or self-harm. If that is what is happening, grief counselling alone may not be the right shape of support, and the depression therapy and counselling page may also be useful.
Appointments and urgent support
Appointments are available in person in Dublin and online where that is suitable. Practical details are available on the appointment, fees, and contact pages. Online sessions can help when distance, health, or daily responsibilities make travel difficult. If grief is connected with suicide, abuse, a traumatic death, or current safety concerns, specialist or urgent attention may also be needed alongside therapy. If you cannot stay safe, are thinking of harming yourself, or are worried about someone else, contact local emergency services or crisis support now. In Ireland, call 112 or 999 in an emergency. Depending on the situation, HSE bereavement resources, the Irish Hospice Foundation, Pieta, and Samaritans may also help.
Common questions
Is grief counselling only for bereavement?
No. Bereavement is a common reason, but people also come after the end of a relationship, a serious illness, migration, infertility, retirement, a change in identity, or other significant losses.
Does grief counselling mean I should stop grieving?
No. The aim is not to erase what has happened or to hurry you through it. It is to help you find words, support, and a way to live with the loss that feels bearable.
When should grief be treated as urgent?
Urgent help is needed if there is a risk of self-harm, an inability to stay safe, a sharp deterioration, psychosis, dangerous substance use, or concern about a child or another person’s safety.
Sources and review note. This page is educational and was reviewed for wording and source links in May 2026. It is not a diagnosis, a crisis service, or a substitute for care from a clinician who can assess your situation.