Pet Bereavement Counselling

Pet Bereavement Counsellor
Senior Psychotherapist
MBACP (Accredited)
MA; BA Hons. Dip.
Autism & ADHD Specialist

“Hello, and a very warm welcome to my bio!

My name is Amanda, and I am a Senior Psychotherapist and Counsellor with almost two decades of experience in delivering counselling and psychotherapy to adults of all ages, children and adolescents. Although I work as a general psychotherapist and counsellor, two of my specialisms are working with clients who have lost (or are about to lose) a companion animal, and also working with clients with autism or ADHD. I am delighted to be listed on Dignity’s website as a pet bereavement counsellor, since they have on more than one occasion provided me with such a wonderful service following the loss of my own beloved animals, for which I am very grateful.

Before I talk a little about what led me to become a professional psychotherapist and counsellor, here’s a little about me as a person:-

I have always loved animals, and from being a child we always had various different companion animals at home. I remember the heartbreak I would feel when losing one of our non-human family members, and how grieving over the loss of an animal seemed to be misunderstood, almost as if there was an expectation that we should simply ‘get over it’. Growing up, I experienced the loss of several beloved companion animals in various different ways, from sudden and tragic losses, to natural passings, through to the emotionally complex journey we embark upon from the moment we make that difficult decision to euthanise. In early adulthood after leaving home to go to university, I began rescuing homeless cats, and this rescue mission continues today!

Regarding my journey to becoming a fully qualified psychotherapist and counsellor, I have always been a naturally compassionate person who enjoys helping people, and I thoroughly enjoy my work. Clients approach me for support in many different areas, depending on what might be going on for them in their lives, and this includes people seeking bereavement therapy. It wasn’t until I personally had to make the difficult decision to have my beautiful rescue cat Stanley euthanised several years ago, that I recognised the sheer importance of people having access to grief counsellors who truly understand the devastating impact of losing an animal, as this type of loss comes with a unique set of complexities that are often overlooked.

Following the loss of Stanley, and after working through my own grief, I decided to embark on a 6-month training course led by the Blue Cross, which was geared around understanding the various ways in which losing a companion animal can emotionally impact people, and how best to support them. After completing the course, I offered my time voluntarily to the Blue Cross’s Pet Bereavement Support Service, and delivered pet bereavement telephone counselling sessions to callers to the helpline for many months. I also began offering this type of bereavement therapy at my own private psychotherapy practice, which is based in Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, and have continued over the years to support many clients following the loss of a beloved animal. I am also sometimes approached by people who have a terminally ill animal at home and are seeking emotional support to help them cope, particularly if they are struggling to make the decision to have their animal euthanised. It’s important to remember that there is no right or wrong time to reach out for support, and if after reading my profile you would like to get in touch with me, I would be delighted to hear from you.

I offer all of my very valued clients a warm, safe space where they are able to explore and work through their feelings, as I walk alongside them in their journey towards healing and a greater sense of well-being.

I can be contacted via telephone or email:-

Tel: 07775 773396 (please leave a voicemail or text me)

Email: therapyamanda@btinternet.com

I also have a professional profile page on the Counselling Directory, for those who might be interested in learning a bit more about my general clinical experience, qualifications and professional accreditation particulars. Click here for more information.”

Carrie Kearns ACC Dip PBC, VCA, Cert Pet Bereavement BC, Adv Dip BCT MACCPH MCMA

A service as individual as your grief.

“I’m Carrie, I qualified in 2001 as a Pet Bereavement Counsellor. I qualified in 2012 as a Veterinary Care Assistant. I have worked in veterinary practice from 1999-2016 and have been present for many a loss, some expected and many not. I want to help you, using my years of experience from the other side of the table. Let me help to reassure you, listen to you and help you untangle the grief.”

Website: www.animalbereavementcounselling.com
Call: 07522 202498

Counsellor/Supervisor
Over 15 years experience.

Dip. Counsellor MBACP (accred)
NCS (accred)
UKRCP Registered Independent Counsellor.

Tel no 07855 528609 or Email ksrb65@btinternet.com
Zoom or Face to Face appointments available.

“I have worked along side pet carers in the veterinary industry since 2013, supporting them through all stages of pet loss and end of life care. I have a strong passion for helping pet carers navigate their way through grief and bereavement, giving them the power and resources to help them process their loss and learn to live alongside it while keeping their pets memory alive.

I can help you with all aspects of memorialising your pet and assist in making the right decision for both you and your family. Drawing from a wealth of experience both personal and professional, I am able to offer help for the whole family on a group or one to one basis. I can offer both traditional face to face or telephone sessions as well as walk and talk sessions.

A ‘local to you’ walk in a natural environment can help to ease some anxiety that can accompany visiting a counsellor for the first time, utilising our beautiful surroundings of the New Forest, walk and talk sessions allow you to be able to access the benefits of being in nature whilst helping you understand and process your grief. A walking location near to you can be arranged.

A lifelong passion for nature and herbalism allows me the utilise the natural properties of herbs and plants to help you move through the stages of grief and provide lasting support and memories for years to come.”

Adv. DIP. PBC
O.A. DIP (MH)

Call or Text: 07595 304461
Email: klgodsell@gmail.com

Sam is a qualified Pet Bereavement Counsellor based in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire.
As well as working for the Ambulance Service, he is a Canine First Aid & Body Language instructor.

Sam discovered the joy a dog can bring to life after welcoming his first dog Leo into his family. He currently shares life with three retrievers and his love for dogs grows deeper with each 4-legged family member. Sam understands that our dogs are a large part of our life and our family and is passionate in supporting you during this difficult time. Providing support for those who are struggling to come to terms with the loss of their beloved dog through virtual, in-person and walk and talk sessions.

Website: www.potterpaws.co.uk/pet-bereavement-support
Email: sam@potterpaws.co.uk
Phone: 07737 506587

“Pets create such a unique loving connection with us and losing a pet can be hard for the owner due to the close bonds that are made; sometimes it can seem difficult to grieve for a pet due to attitudes of others. Grief, bereavement, and loss can affect you emotionally, physically, and spiritually and may bring up memories of other painful or difficult endings in your life.

I will provide you with a non-judgmental space where I hope you will feel comfortable to talk about what is on your mind; we can explore together your thoughts, feelings, or anything you are struggling with. I am a qualified counsellor with extensive experience in supporting my clients through grief, bereavement, and loss. In addition to my counselling qualification, I also hold a grief and bereavement counselling Diploma.

I am based in Farnborough, Hampshire for face-to-face therapy. I provide telephone and online video counselling anywhere in the UK.”

Web: https://sharonrowancounselling.co.uk/
Tel: 07584 212537
Email: hello@sharonrowancounselling.co.uk

BACP membership number – 403174
Adult and Child enhanced DBS certified
Holistic Insurance Services – HIS88288

“I have been working as a counsellor since 2016. Once I qualified I realised there was a need for bereavement counselling for people who had lost the non human member of their family, be that their dog, cat bird etc. Having shared my life with my dogs, I understand what a very difficult time the loss can be, especially as some people don’t understand the grieving for the loss of what can be seen as ‘just a pet’. Sharing that grief and working through it is very important indeed – they were not our pets, but our family.

To ensure I’m providing the highest quality of care, I’m a member of both the Association of Pet Bereavement Counsellors and the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. This commitment to professional excellence extends to all my counselling work.”

Please Contact:
Susan Wilding – Pet Bereavement Counsellor
Dip. MBACP
Email: pathtoyoucounselling@gmail.com
Phone: 07985358761
Counselling Sessions available via Zoom, Facetime, WhatsApp and the telephone.

Hi, my name is Gemma, and I love animals, and I suspect you are here too because you feel the same way. They give us much joy, love, companionship, and much more, and they ask for very little back in return. And even though we know our pets’ lives are short, when the time comes to say goodbye, we are rarely prepared. 

It is important to remember that your feelings are valid. Sometimes our grief starts before the loss of the pet, for example, when we see signs of decline, ill health, or when our pets slow down or reach a certain age. As a result, you may feel sad, anxious, or begin to fear the prospect of your pet not being here. You may feel guilt, anger, or shame for having these feelings when your pet is still alive. Some people will struggle to understand why you are feeling this way, and you may feel confused about this, too. The most important thing is not to judge how you think, but to seek support if these thoughts and feelings begin to overwhelm you.

Sometimes saying goodbye to our beloved pets means making difficult and occasionally quick decisions about euthanasia. A pet dying this way is more common than a pet dying naturally, but this knowledge rarely brings comfort. You may be struggling with the decision you made, or you have regrets about what happened to your pet.

I have qualifications and personal experience in pet bereavement. I am also a qualified and BACP-accredited psychotherapist with over 10 years’ experience, and I am accredited in Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR). This means I have extensive experience in issues related to loss, relationships, trauma, PTSD, and attachment issues. All of which can underpin pet loss.

I am based in Leeds, West Yorkshire, and offer online appointments via Zoom or Teams, as well as telephone appointments. Please visit my website for further information at gemmaridge.com