Online Therapy for the Abandoned & Bereaved.
Helping You Make Sense of Abandonment, Loss, and Grief
Do you carry the weight of an absent father - a parent who wasn’t there for you in the way you needed? Perhaps you’ve spent years wondering why you weren’t enough, struggling with feelings of rejections, or trying to fill the void he left behind.
Maybe your grief is for someone who is physically gone, or for the relationship with your father that never was. Grief and abandonment are deeply connected - they can leave you questioning your worth, struggling to trust others, or stuck in patterns of self-doubt.
I’m here to offer a safe, supportive space to explore those feelings. Together, we’ll make sense of the loss, the pain, and the unanswered questions, helping you find clarify, reconnect with yourself, and take steps toward a life that feels more grounded and fulfilling.
How I Can Help
Abandonment Therapy
Abandonment is a complicated experience that's hard to express. It affects not just you but also your family, with each member responding differently. You may have a sibling struggling with addiction in order to hide their pain, whereas here you are, choosing therapy to face it.
It’s common for those who have experienced abandonment to feel exhausted from trying to please everyone else while neglecting their own needs. I understand that you deeply desire to be acknowledged, yet the idea of being vulnerable fills you with fear. You may not have had a secure environment where you could express your emotions. As a result, you’ve held back your feelings altogether.
I can help you gain a clearer understanding of yourself, allowing you to confidently embrace your emotions and trust in your feelings towards others. You’ll learn what boundaries are, how they feel for you as well as how you’d like them to look. I can talk to you about your abandonment in a way that doesn’t feel shameful and discover that what you’re dealing with is actually, grief.
Grief Therapy
With five years of experience as a bereavement counsellor at Southampton General Hospital, I understand how complex and unpredictable grief can be. The feelings we experience during grief aren’t always what we expect—they can range from deep sadness and anger to confusion and even relief.
Alongside providing emotional support and counselling, I also facilitated the delicate and sometimes difficult process of supporting families as they spent time with their loved one after they had died. This work has deepened my understanding of the complexities of grief and profoundly influenced my approach as a counsellor, fostering a compassionate, empathetic, and deeply patient practice.
In our sessions, I aim to create a safe and supportive space where you can express your feelings and process your loss. Together, we will navigate the complexities of grief, finding ways to honour how you truly feel, while also taking steps towards your own emotional well-being.
About Me
Hi there! I’m Melissa.
I know how abandonment and grief can shape your life. When my parents divorced, I lost the father I once idolised. His absence left a void that I tried to fill with unhealthy relationships and choices that only led to more pain. I also know the grief of losing relationships with family members who couldn’t show up in the way I needed.
It took me years of therapy and self-reflection to make sense of those experiences. Now, as a therapist, I use my own journey and professional training to help others navigate the complicated mix of emotions that come with loss - whether it’s the loss of a loved one, a parent’s absence, or even the loss of a sense of self.
I believe therapy should feel safe and supportive - not like a to-do list or something you “have to get right.” I’ll never force you to talk about things you’re not ready for. But I also believe in the power of gentle challenge when the time feels right - encouraging you to explore those difficult feelings so you can grow and create meaningful change in your life.
Is This You?
Do you feel stuck in cycles of self-doubt or self-blame?
Do you find it hard to trust others, fearing they’ll leave or let you down?
Are you grieving someone who was never fully there for you?
Do you struggle with putting yourself first or setting boundaries?
Grief and abandonment can shape you into the person you are today, but they don’t have to define you. Therapy can help you:
Make sense of your experiences and how they’ve shaped you.
Explore the emotions you’ve been carrying and begin to lighten the load.
Reconnect with yourself and move toward a more fulfilling life.
Practical Details
Where: Sessions are held online or over the phone, so you can join from the comfort of your own space.
When: Daytime appointments available on Mondays and Wednesdays - please get in touch for availability.
Fee: Open-ended therapy: £80-£100, Single Sessions: £120-£150 (I invite clients to select a fee from either range, depending on the chosen therapy).
Free Consultation: Not sure if therapy is right for you? Let’s chat for 15 minutes to see if we’re a good fit.
Who I Work With
I specialise in working with people who:
Have experienced abandonment, especially from a parent or caregiver like an absent father.
Are struggling with grief - whether it’s the loss of a loves one, the loss of a relationship that didn’t meet their needs, or even the grief of what could have been.
Feel “not good enough” or battle self-doubt and low self-worth.
Find it hard to trust others or fear being abandoned again.
Struggle with setting boundaries, putting themselves first, or feeling guilty for prioritising their needs.
Therapy can help you unpack these feelings, make sense of them, and find ways to move forward with clarity and compassion for yourself.
Get In Touch
I know reaching out can feel vulnerable, but you don’t have to figure this out on your own. Therapy can help you make sense of your experiences, address the old wounds, and reclaim your sense of self-worth.
If you’re ready to take that first step, just get in touch with me by completing this contact form to book your free consultation.