Compassionate grief counselling to help you navigate loss,  change, and life after bereavement – online, at your own pace

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A calm and compassionate space for bereavement and loss.

Grief can feel overwhelming, isolating, and difficult to put into words. You may feel lost, unsure of how to move forward, or simply need a place where your experience can be heard and understood.

I offer gentle online grief counselling to support you as you navigate life after loss – in your own way and at your own pace.

Portrait of Frances Rayner, grief counsellor and founder of Dove Counselling Online

A safe space to explore your grief

Hi, I’m Frances.

I am a qualified counsellor specialising in grief and loss, providing online grief counselling for people navigating bereavement, miscarriage, infertility, pet loss, relationship loss, and significant life changes.

I offer a calm, steady and non-judgemental space where you can talk about what you are experiencing without pressure, expectations, or the need to have all the answers.

Grief affects everyone differently

There is no single way to grieve. You may be finding your way through the death of someone important to you, pregnancy loss, infertility, the loss of a beloved pet, the end of a relationship, or a life change that has left you feeling uncertain about what comes next.

Grief can affect how you feel day to day, how you relate to others, your routines, your sense of identity, and how the future feels.

You don’t need to be grieving in a particular way, or to be at a particular stage of grief, to seek counselling. Whether your loss is recent or something you have been carrying for a long time, having a space to explore your feelings can be helpful.

If you would like a clearer sense of the areas I work with, you can read more about the types of grief I support below.

The types of grief I support

You may be seeking support after:

• The death of someone important to you
• Miscarriage, pregnancy loss, or fertility struggles
• Infertility and involuntary childlessness
• The loss of a beloved pet
• Anticipatory grief when facing an expected loss
• Relationship loss, separation, or the end of an important relationship
• Significant life transitions and changes that have altered how life feels

Grief can arise from many different experiences, not only bereavement after a death. Whatever the source of your grief, your experience matters and can be explored in counselling.

What counselling can help with

There is no single way grief should look or feel.

Sessions are guided by what feels most important to you and by the ways grief is affecting your life. Together, we may explore:

• Making sense of your emotions and responses to loss
• Understanding how grief is affecting your everyday life
• Finding ways to cope when things feel overwhelming
• Adjusting to changes and life after loss
• Creating space for memories, reflection, and meaning

About me

I offer a steady and supportive space where you can talk openly about your experiences without pressure, judgement, or expectations about how grief should look.

My approach is gentle and responsive to what you bring. I understand that beginning counselling can feel like a significant step, especially when life already feels uncertain.

If you would like to know more about my background and approach, you can read more about me below.

Learn more about me

How online counselling works

I offer online grief counselling for adults across the UK, providing a confidential space to explore grief and loss wherever you are.

Sessions take place online via secure video call or by telephone, allowing you to access support from a place where you feel comfortable and at ease.

Appointments are usually weekly or fortnightly, depending on your needs and circumstances.

Starting counselling

Many people feel unsure before starting counselling, particularly if they have never had counselling before.

You do not need to prepare anything in advance, and you do not need to know exactly what to say.  We can begin with whatever feels most important to you, whether that is a recent experience, a memory, a feeling, or simply where things feel difficult right now.

If you have questions before getting started, you may find the FAQ page helpful. You can also explore my grief support articles for further reflection on grief and loss.

You don’t have to navigate grief alone

Whether your loss is recent or something you have carried for many years, support is available when you feel ready to take the next step.

If you would like to explore whether counselling feels right for you, you are welcome to arrange a free 20-minute introductory consultation.

What clients say

"Frances helped me through the dark days of early grief".

"Frances was compassionate and very helpful to me during my counselling".

"Frances was supportive during a difficult time in my life".

You don’t have to navigate grief alone

When you feel ready, you are welcome to take the next step.

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