Grief Counselling in Cairns and Online
I offer grief counselling in Cairns and online for people dealing with bereavement, relationship loss or major life changes. We can talk through what has happened and how it is affecting your everyday life, at your pace.
Book a Free 15-Minute Meet & Greet Call or text: 0423 763 712Grief can change more than your mood. It can change your whole sense of normal.
After a loss or major life change, you may still be doing what needs to be done, but inside things can feel heavy, unfamiliar, or hard to explain. Grief counselling gives you space to talk without having to rush, perform, or pretend you are okay.
Counselling support from Allan Bunyan
I’m Allan Bunyan, a certified counsellor (CPCA) with a Diploma of Counselling. I offer counselling in Cairns and online across Australia.
We start with what has brought you here and what you want support with. You do not need to have the right words or share everything straight away. Together, we can explore how loss is affecting your life and what might help you manage the difficult days.
Cairns Based
In-person counselling support locally in Cairns.
CPCA Member
Certified Practising Counsellors Australia.
NDIS + Private
Support available for NDIS participants and private clients.
Flexible Support
In-person, online, and after-hours where available.
Grief does not always look the way people expect
Grief can affect your mood, sleep, body, relationships, motivation, and sense of direction. There is no single right way to grieve, and there is no set timeline.
Numbness
Feeling disconnected, flat, or like you are moving through life on autopilot.
Anger
Feeling frustrated, irritated, or angry about what happened or what has changed.
Guilt
Going over what you did, what you said, or what you wish had been different.
Anxiety
Feeling worried about the future, being alone, or how you will manage next.
Sleep changes
Finding it hard to sleep, waking often, or feeling exhausted even after rest.
Withdrawal
Pulling away from people because talking feels too hard, too tiring, or too exposing.
Low motivation
Struggling with basic routines, appointments, work, study, or everyday tasks.
Feeling stuck
Feeling like life is moving around you, but you have not been able to move with it.
Hard reminders
Being affected by dates, places, songs, photos, routines, or unexpected memories.
What are the five stages of grief?
You may have heard grief described through five stages: denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. These stages can help put words around some grief experiences, but grief does not always happen in a straight line.
Denial
Feeling shocked, numb, disconnected, or having difficulty taking in what has happened.
Anger
Feeling angry, frustrated, resentful, or asking why this happened to you or someone you care about.
Bargaining
Thinking about what could have been different and getting caught in thoughts such as “if only” or “what if.”
Depression
Experiencing deep sadness, loneliness, low motivation, withdrawal, or feeling overwhelmed by the reality of the loss.
Acceptance
Beginning to adjust to what has happened and finding ways to continue living while carrying the loss with you.
Wondering how long grief lasts, or whether you should be feeling better by now? Read “How long does grief last?” to explore why there is no fixed timeline and how grief can change over time.
Ways to cope with grief
Coping with grief is not about forgetting what happened or forcing yourself to move on. It is about finding ways to look after yourself, make sense of what you are feeling, and gradually adjust to life after loss.
Give yourself permission to grieve
You do not have to be strong all the time. Sadness, anger, guilt, numbness, relief and even moments of happiness can all be part of grief.
Talk to someone you trust
Grief can feel very isolating. Talking with a friend, family member, counsellor or another person you trust can help you feel less alone.
Take things one day at a time
You do not need to work everything out straight away. When life feels overwhelming, focus on what you need to get through today.
Look after the basics
Eating regularly, drinking enough water, getting some rest and doing gentle movement can help your body cope with the physical stress of grief.
Keep some routine
Small routines such as getting dressed, having breakfast, going outside or keeping appointments can provide some stability when everything feels different.
Allow yourself to remember
Looking at photos, talking about memories, visiting meaningful places or continuing traditions can help you maintain a connection with what you have lost.
Expect difficult reminders
Birthdays, anniversaries, songs, places and unexpected memories can bring grief back strongly. Having a difficult day does not mean you are going backwards.
Do not rush yourself
There is no correct amount of time to grieve. Some days may feel easier and others may feel difficult again. Grief can change over time rather than simply disappear.
Accept practical help
When your energy is low, allowing someone to help with meals, shopping, appointments or everyday jobs can take some pressure off.
Consider counselling
If grief feels overwhelming, counselling can provide a private space to talk openly about your loss, understand your emotions and find ways of coping that work for you.
You do not have to stop missing someone to begin moving forward
Moving forward after loss does not mean leaving the person, relationship or experience behind. It can mean learning how to carry the memories and the grief while gradually reconnecting with your own life.
Grief is not only about death
Grief can happen when something important changes, ends, or is taken away. Sometimes the loss is obvious to others. Sometimes it is private, complicated, or hard to explain.
Counselling can help you make sense of the loss, the adjustment, and the parts of life that no longer feel the same.
Talk Through What Has ChangedDeath of a loved one
Support after bereavement, family loss, or the death of someone important to you.
Relationship loss
Grief after separation, divorce, estrangement, or losing an important connection.
Illness or diagnosis
Adjusting when health changes affect your future, identity, independence, or daily life.
Injury or disability
Support when life does not feel the same after injury, disability, or loss of ability.
Loss of role or identity
Grief after retirement, job loss, caring role changes, or major life transitions.
Loss of future plans
Support when the life you imagined has changed and you are trying to work out what comes next.
Support that gives grief space without rushing it
Grief counselling is not about forcing you to move on. It is about understanding what has changed, making space for emotions, and helping life feel more manageable again.
Understanding mixed emotions
Grief can bring sadness, anger, guilt, relief, confusion, or numbness.
Managing hard days
Support can help with anniversaries, reminders, family events, and emotional triggers.
Rebuilding routine
When grief affects sleep, work, or motivation, counselling can help with small practical steps.
Talking safely
A private space to talk honestly without feeling like a burden to others.
Adjusting to change
Support when identity, relationships, independence, or future plans no longer feel the same.
What happens in your first session?
Your first session is a chance to talk about what has brought you to counselling, how things have been and what you would like help with. You can ask questions and decide what you feel comfortable sharing.
If you would like to meet me first, you can book a free 15-minute meet and greet before deciding whether to book a counselling session.
Book a Free 15-Minute Meet & GreetGrief counselling in Cairns and online across Australia
I offer face-to-face grief counselling at 129A Lake Street, Cairns City, on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Appointments are booked in advance.
If you prefer to talk from home, phone and video counselling are available across Australia. You can start with a free 15-minute meet and greet to ask questions and see whether you feel comfortable working with me.
Enquire About CounsellingGrief counselling FAQs
A few simple answers before you reach out.
What is grief counselling?
Grief counselling gives you a safe space to talk through loss, change, and the impact grief is having on your life. It can help you understand your emotions, manage hard days, and take small steps forward.
Do I need to have lost someone to death to get grief counselling?
No. Grief can happen after many types of loss, including relationship breakdown, illness, injury, disability, job loss, loss of independence, or major life changes.
How do I know if grief counselling might help?
Counselling may help if grief is affecting your sleep, relationships, motivation, work, study, appointments, self-care, or ability to manage daily life.
Is grief counselling available in Cairns?
Yes. Strong Foundation Support offers grief counselling in Cairns, with online counselling also available across Australia.
Can I use NDIS funding for grief counselling?
NDIS participants may be able to use funding for counselling where it is reasonable, necessary, and related to their disability support needs. This can be discussed before starting.
What happens in the first session?
The first session is usually about understanding what has been happening, what support you are looking for, and what would feel useful. You do not have to explain everything perfectly.
Can grief affect anxiety and sleep?
Yes. Grief can affect sleep, concentration, mood, anxiety, energy, and the body. Support can help you understand these changes and find ways to manage them.
Do you offer online grief counselling?
Yes. Online grief counselling is available across Australia for people who prefer telehealth or cannot attend in person.
If you need urgent support
This page is not crisis support. If you are in immediate danger or feel unable to stay safe, call 000. You can also contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.
You do not have to carry grief alone
Grief does not need to be rushed. If life feels heavy, unfamiliar, or harder than it used to, support can start with a simple conversation.
Contact me
Counselling Services in Cairns
Support for the things people often carry quietly.
Counselling can help when life feels heavy, confusing or hard to manage alone. I support people across Cairns with grief, stress, addiction concerns, men’s mental health, NDIS counselling, anxiety, disability adjustment and major life changes.
Grief Counselling
Support after loss, death, separation, life changes, or grief that does not always have clear words.
Men’s Counselling
Practical support for pressure, stress, relationships, anger, shutdown, identity challenges or feeling stuck.
NDIS Counselling
Support for NDIS participants adjusting to disability, diagnosis, overwhelm and emotional stress.
Addiction Counselling
Support to explore triggers, urges, shame, loneliness, habits and patterns that feel hard to shift alone.
Individual Counselling
One-on-one counselling for anxiety, grief, overwhelm, emotional pressure and major life transitions.
Not Sure Where to Start?
You do not need to have the perfect words before reaching out. A free 15-minute meet and greet can help.