Frequently asked questions
Before you book
About the course
What will I get out of the course?
By the end of Life After Loss you'll have a clearer picture of your own grief, grounding techniques for hard moments, a way to balance grieving and living, a ritual for staying connected, and one clear next step. Each week focuses on one of these; the week-by-week plan is on the How It Works page
What actually happens in a session?
Every session follows the same shape: a short warm-up, the week's main activity, a conversation in pairs, a group discussion, and a brief close. Nobody goes round the group telling their story. It's around an hour, once a week, for six weeks, and the shape stays the same each week so nothing is sprung on you.
Is this therapy or counselling?
No. This is grief coaching: forward-focused, practical, and built for people whose grief is painful but still moving, even slowly or unevenly. There's a fuller explanation of how grief coaching, counselling and therapy differ, and of grief support in Manchester.
Can I join if I'm already seeing a therapist or waiting for counselling?
No. Coaching isn't something to do at the same time as therapy or counselling, so if you're already working with someone, or you're on a waiting list, stay with that. Coaching can be for afterwards, or for people who aren't in clinical care.
Is it one-to-one?
It runs both ways. The small-group course meets online once a week for six weeks. The same course also runs one-to-one with Steve: same structure, same tools, shaped around you as you go. Either way it's a six-week course, not open-ended hourly sessions. How one-to-one works.
What's the STILL Method?
It's the framework the course is built on: five phases (Stop, Talk, Imagine, Listen, Learn) that shape how sessions are run. Steve trained in it on a course accredited by ACCPH and IPHM. You can read more about it on the About page.
How soon after a loss can I join?
People move at different speeds, so there's no set number. Early on there's usually a lot of practical admin to get through, and it can be hard to give a course your full attention until that's settled. Steve talks about timing with you in the free chat, and you decide together whether the course is right for you now. If it's still early days, The First Few Months is a short, free guide written for exactly that point.
Joining a group
Who else will be in my group?
Other bereaved adults, in a small group that stays together for all six weeks. Everyone's there for the same reason: to talk and be heard without having to explain grief from scratch.
Is what I share confidential?
Yes, everything shared in the group stays confidential. The one exception is if there's ever a concern that a client may be a danger to themselves or someone else, in which case Steve will bring in outside help. That's a safeguarding boundary, not a routine exception.
Do I have to share in the group, or can I just listen?
There's no requirement to talk about your personal loss in front of the group, and no cheesy icebreakers where you go round giving your name and story. That said, the course is delivered workshop-style, so you will take part in paired conversations in private breakout rooms each week, and share only what you're comfortable with. It's active, not something you can sit back and watch.
Do other members of the group know who I am?
Yes. Your name shows on screen in the video call, as it would in any online meeting. Everyone in the group is asked to keep what's shared private, and not to discuss it outside the sessions. Since sessions are online, you're also asked to join somewhere private (alone in a room, headphones in) so nobody nearby can overhear what other people share.
What if I get overwhelmed during a session?
That's expected, and the course is built for it. The STILL Method's "Stop" tools are there for exactly this. Steve will check in, and nobody is pushed to share more than they're ready to.
Practical details
What do I need to join?
A stable internet connection, a quiet-ish space, and a device with a camera and microphone. Sessions are delivered live online, so you can join from wherever you feel most comfortable, with a joining link sent ahead of the first session. Camera on or off is your choice. A notebook helps, but nothing else is required in advance.
When does the next cohort start?
Dates change regularly, so the current dates and availability are on the booking page.
What does it cost, and how do I pay?
£129 including VAT for the six-week group course, paid in full at booking. The same course one-to-one is £290 including VAT. If cost is a worry, get in touch before you book and Steve will talk it through with you. Book here.
What if I miss a week?
The course works best when you're there for all six weeks, so it's worth keeping the time clear. Life does happen, though. If you miss a session, get in touch and Steve will do what he can to help you catch up.
Understanding grief
Are all emotional reactions to grief normal?
Most of them, yes. Numbness, intense anger, brain fog and even relief (particularly after a long illness) are all common responses to a huge disruption. If you find yourself thinking you'd rather not be here, that's the point to talk to someone: your GP, or Samaritans on 116 123.
Can grief affect the body and the mind?
Yes. Grief keeps your nervous system on high alert, and that can show up as exhaustion, a weaker immune system, stomach trouble and "grief brain": difficulty concentrating and forgetting things. Grief Brain: Is It Normal to Forget Things When You're Grieving? goes into why it happens, how long it lasts and what helps.
How long does grief last?
There's no timetable, and grief may never disappear completely. The aim isn't to get over a loss. It's to find a way to carry it, and over time most people find there's room for joy alongside it. How Long Does Grief Last? goes into this in more depth, including when it's worth raising prolonged grief with your GP.
Is it normal for grief to return years later?
Yes. An anniversary, a place, a song or a smell can bring grief back in a rush, even decades on. It's a sign of a lasting bond, not of going backwards.
When should I seek professional help?
Speak to your GP or a qualified grief or mental health professional if the yearning is intense, or you're struggling to function or get back into daily life, and it isn't easing. If that carries on well beyond six months, it may be worth being assessed for Prolonged Grief Disorder. If grief ever feels unmanageable, or you're worried about your safety, don't wait.
What should I prioritise during early grief?
Ask less of yourself and look after the basics: sleep, water, simple food, small routines. Doing less for a while isn't failure, it's a sensible response to strain. There's more in The First Few Months, a short, free guide to the early weeks after a loss.
Is it wrong to laugh or feel happy while grieving?
No. A good moment doesn't take anything away from how much you loved them. It can give an overwhelmed body and mind a bit of a rest.
How can I maintain a connection with the person who died?
Staying connected to them is healthy. You might cook their favourite meal, tell their stories, keep a tradition going or support a cause that mattered to them. Grief at Christmas has ideas for including them at Christmas, especially the first one.
What should I say to someone who is grieving?
Be honest and be there, rather than reaching for a platitude. Steer away from "everything happens for a reason" or "at least they are no longer suffering". Something simple works better: "I don't have the right words, but I am here with you." What to Say to Someone Who Is Grieving has more examples, including what to send in a text.
What practical help can I offer to someone who has had a bereavement?
Be specific, rather than asking what they need. Try "I'm dropping groceries round today" or "I can walk the dog on Thursday." It saves them making decisions when they've little energy for it. There are more ideas in What to Say to Someone Who Is Grieving.
If coaching isn't the right fit
What if I need more support than this course can give?
If it's clear at any point that someone needs more than coaching can offer, Steve will say so directly and help find the right service: your GP, NHS Talking Therapies, or a suitable local referral.
I'm not sure if this is right for me. What should I do?
Steve is happy to answer questions before you book: get in touch, or read about Steve's training on the About page.
If you're in crisis right now, please contact the Samaritans on 116 123 (free, 24/7) or your GP. This isn't the right place for urgent support, and that's okay.