About grief
Grief after a loss is a natural process with no fixed timeline. Support can help when pain does not ease over time, when the loss was sudden or traumatic, or when it becomes very hard to carry on with daily life.
Psychologists assess and treat emotional, behavioural and relationship difficulties through psychological therapy. They do not prescribe medication. In many countries clinical practice requires a specific qualification and registration with a licensing body, which Therapy247 checks.
Getting mental health care in the United Kingdom
Public health system · National Health Service (NHS)
Psychological therapy for anxiety and depression is free through NHS Talking Therapies in England, which accepts self-referral or GP referral; more complex needs are referred by a GP to community mental health teams. Waiting times vary by area. More information
How to check that a professional is licensed
- Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Titles such as practitioner psychologist, registered psychologist, clinical, counselling, educational, forensic, health, occupational and sport and exercise psychologist are protected and require HCPC registration. The bare word psychologist is not protected. Search the official register
Urgent help in the United Kingdom
If your life or someone else's is in danger, call the emergency number now. These services can help at any time:
- 112 · Emergencias
- 116 123 · Samaritans
- Shout
Information reviewed in November 2026 · Sources: hcpc-uk.org, regulated-professions.service.gov.uk
Signs to look out for
Grief can bring sadness, longing, anger, guilt, disbelief, tiredness and even physical aches, and it often comes in waves. There is no right timeline. It may help to seek support when the pain stays just as intense for a long time, you cannot carry out daily tasks, you feel life has lost all meaning, you avoid everything linked to the loss, or you feel stuck in guilt or anger.
What helps: treatments and professionals
Most people do not need therapy to grieve, but support can help when grief is especially difficult. Grief-focused therapies, including cognitive-behavioural approaches adapted to prolonged grief, and meaning-centred or narrative approaches, have growing evidence. Psychologists and psychotherapists with experience in bereavement are the usual professionals. Support groups and family therapy can also help, especially after the loss of a child or a sudden death.
When to seek urgent help
If the pain of loss leads to thoughts of ending your life, wanting to join the person who died, or harming yourself, contact your local emergency services or go to the nearest emergency department straight away. Seek prompt help too if you stop eating or drinking, or if alcohol or other substances have become your main way of coping.
What you can do in the meantime
Allow yourself to feel what comes, without forcing it or rushing it. Keep basic routines like sleep and meals, and accept practical help from others. Talking about the person who died, sharing memories or creating small rituals can help. Be aware that anniversaries and special dates may be harder. Reliable information about grief can reassure you that what you feel is common.
What does a psychologist do?
A psychologist spends most of the working day talking with people about what worries them and helping them change it. That includes assessing the difficulty, agreeing goals, and using structured psychological techniques in sessions with adults, teenagers, children, couples or families. Between sessions they prepare materials, write notes, and sometimes coordinate with doctors, schools or other professionals, always with your consent.
When to see a psychologist
It makes sense to see a psychologist when anxiety, low mood, stress, relationship problems, a loss or a difficult change start to affect your sleep, work or relationships, or when you simply want to understand yourself better. If symptoms are very severe, you may need medication, or there are signs of a medical cause, a psychiatrist or your doctor should be involved too.
How to choose
When choosing, check the licence and training, the approach they use and whether they have experience with what you need. Consider practical aspects too: language, price, location or online sessions and availability. The relationship with the professional matters a great deal; if after a few sessions it does not feel right, it is fine to change.
Frequently asked questions
Does the public health system in the United Kingdom cover psychological care?
Psychological therapy for anxiety and depression is free through NHS Talking Therapies in England, which accepts self-referral or GP referral; more complex needs are referred by a GP to community mental health teams. Waiting times vary by area.
How do I check that a psychologist is licensed in the United Kingdom?
Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC): Titles such as practitioner psychologist, registered psychologist, clinical, counselling, educational, forensic, health, occupational and sport and exercise psychologist are protected and require HCPC registration. The bare word psychologist is not protected.