End Of Life Counselling

Issues surrounding mortality can be especially distressing. Facing the end of life is perhaps the most challenging transition.   Friends and family may want to provide support, but find themselves unprepared to begin and continue difficult conversations.   It is common for conversations about death to be avoided altogether, which deprives the person who is dying of meaningful support.  Friends and family may find that the prospect of facing a loved one’s death is so saddening and fearful that they find themselves struggling to cope.  In addition, those closest to the person dying are often heavily involved in caring for the person,  and this can make it very difficult to also provide the kind of neutral and supportive counselling that the person may need. 

The process of dying is necessarily one of letting-go.  Unfortunately, many people face this process feeling unable to express their deepest concerns, anxieties and questions. The process of letting-go also involves resolving as much as possible the unfinished business of relationships.  The degree of peace a person has as this life recedes, is a consequence of the support they feel around them, and the degree to which they feel acknowledged and understood as a whole person.   Stillpoint Psychology endeavours to provide the psychological support to assist people to let-go.

Principles of end of life counselling:

• Everyone is capable of facing adversity with dignity

• Everyone is free to maintain their beliefs and values

• Everyone is free to let-go, or hold-on as they desire

• Everyone has a right to expect that their concerns be treated respectfully

• Everyone has a right to confidentiality

• Everyone has a right to be listened to, and understood in their last days

Unique aspects of Stillpoint Psychology

• Appointments are conducted in-home

• Clients are able to set the treatment goals

• Appointments can be made flexibly, so that if the client needs to be seen at short notice this can be arranged

• The dignity of living is always supported

• The choices of the client are always respected

Counselling can address managing the practical concerns that dying people face, as well as the psychological, relational and existential issues.  Sessions are generally conducted in the home of the dying person, in a private one-to-one setting. Visits to nursing homes, hospices and hospitals can generally be arranged.  Where appropriate a session for family members can be organised.

Note: Eligible clients can receive medicare benefits when they access this service. See link to determine medicare eligibility.