Bereavement:

Regrettably there is only one certainty in life and that  is death. For those who survive the death of a significant other there is a grieving process. It is during that grieving process that complications in  the relationship that one had with the deceased can arise and cause the  survivor great anguish. It may be that the circumstances surrounding the  death were particularly difficult. The loss may have resulted in more than  the loss of a companion, a child or a friend – it may have resulted in a loss  of direction. We may try to deal with the loss in ways that are self-damaging  such as excessive drinking or other self-destructive or even dangerous  behaviour. The help and support of friends and family can be of  immense value but may not afford the survivor an opportunity to work through   all the emotions that arise. There may be conflicting emotions that are difficult to name or talk about with others who knew the deceased.  Counselling and psychotherapy provides a safe, containing and comforting  environment in which to resolve any issues that have arisen or simply to work  through the grieving process so that a return to your life is possible, feelings and experiences that a survivor may have are as follows:

Shock
Denial
Anxiety and Panic
Anger and Rage
Sadness
Helplessness
Lonliness
Guilt
Regret
Yearning
Numbness
Irritability
Relief
Feeling hollow in the stomach
Holding onto reminders of the deceased
Searching for the deceased

Psychotherapy and counselling cannot bring back a loved  one but it can assist the grieving process so that the survivor can think  about the person they have lost without feeling pain.