Issues around Ageing, Death and Dying

Although intellectually we all know that one day we will die, we are generally reluctant to think about death and we live our lives as if we are going to be in the world forever.

This natural preference to avoid thoughts of death is, in part, a coping mechanism. It would be very distressing if we were constantly aware of our own mortality.

Death is inevitable. It is a personal journey that each individual approaches in their own unique way. Our ideas about death may be shaped by cultural, social and religious factors as well as by previous experiences of the death of others. In life, we may encounter the loss of someone close to us and this can have some bearing on how we come to view our own eventual death.

Life expectancy in Europe has been steadily rising for many years. In the UK, it is now believed that one in five people alive today will live to be 100. A person born in the UK in 2011 can expect to live to 80 years of age, almost double the UK life expectancy in 1901.

Growing older can bring challenges

As the population grows older some people struggle with issues relating to the ageing process. Ageing can be frightening and frustrating, especially in a culture that celebrates youthfulness. In therapy people often describe complex feelings associated with ageing. Sometimes the later years of our lives are marked by loss and grief as people we’ve known for many years, both friends and family, die.

While death is unpredictable, some people know they have begun the process of dying. Through illness, for example, we may be informed that life is ending. Facing the end of life is a personal experience that may evoke feelings of anxiety, sadness, regret, hopelessness, helplessness and powerlessness. Common processes that those facing the end of their life experience include denial, anger, fear and acceptance.

For some people an awareness of impending death evokes existential concerns about the meaning and purpose of life. For some, dying brings questions and anxiety about what happens after death.

Client Testimonials

Therapy can help resolve concerns around ageing, death and dying

Death anxiety is common in people of all ages even when death is not imminent. Healthy people can become hyper-aware of their own mortality and thoughts of mortality may lead to a persistent and irrational fear of death. Anxiety about death or dying can be very distressing and may impede one’s ability to engage with life.

Some people struggle with the process of ageing and find growing older psychologically challenging. Counselling can help people make sense of the ageing process and come to terms with the physical changes that occur when growing older.

Equally, therapy can be useful in exploring difficult emotions around death and dying. Speaking with an experienced therapist can help explore the many complex issues related to the end of life.

Reaching the end of a long life has rewards but it also brings challenges for many people on physical, emotional and psychological levels. Support is available for anyone facing the ageing process, growing older and mortality.

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Individual counselling

Personal counselling can be about anything that’s on your mind.

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Couples counselling provides space for couples to discuss problems in their relationship and find solutions.

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Therapists in London

Finding the right therapist is an important first step.

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One Therapy London

Counselling, psychotherapy, couples counselling in London since 2006

Therapist Toulla Nicolaides
Toulla Nicolaides

Consultant Therapist Toulla is an integrative relational therapist using a combination of therapeutic approaches to help her clients She provides a safe and supportive environment for individuals to explore their difficulties in life, relationships and childhood and to share and resolve confusing and overwhelming feelings Toulla believes that, though challenging,...

Fitzrovia

Therapist Ameet Magan
Ameet Magan

Consultant Therapist Ameet is from London and holds an MSc in Integrative Psychotherapy He has more than a decade’s experience of working in a one-to-one capacity with clients He has also trained in groupwork and has worked since 2016 as a group psychotherapist and clinical practitioner with the NHS in East London Ameet is a warm, grounded and reflective person He...

Kensington

Therapist Stamatia Lorentzou
Stamatia Lorentzou

Senior Consultant Therapist Stamatia draws on a broad range of theories of psychotherapy She works collaboratively with her clients to understand the causes of their concern and find ways to move forward Stamatia offers both short-term and longer-term therapy She has worked in various organisational settings with individuals seeking to address relationship issues,...

Bloomsbury

Therapist Jackson
Dwayne Jackson

Senior Consultant Therapist Founder and Director Jackson has lived in USA, Hong Kong and London He studied psychology in America and integrative psychotherapy in the United Kingdom Jackson is open to discussing any life experience or behaviour a client might put forward He feels there should be no shame or judgement in discussing life choices, experiences or...

Bloomsbury

Therapist Nicola Reeves
Nicola Reeves

Consultant Therapist MA Psychodynamic Psychotherapy  EMDR Practitioner Qualified Clinical Supervisor Nicola is a psychodynamic psychotherapist and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) therapist Nicola believes in giving clients time and space to approach therapy in the way they need to approach it She finds this is the best way to develop a...

Soho

Therapist Rhiannon Whipps
Rhiannon Whipps

Consultant Therapist Rhiannon is a psychodynamic counsellor and psychotherapist with over ten years experience of working within the field of mental health Rhiannon provides an empathic and non-judgemental therapeutic space for her clients to explore any difficulties which they may be facing Within the safety of a confidential environment, she encourages her clients...

Oxford Circus

Soho

Therapist Marta Pisarri
Marta Pisarri

Consultant Integrative Psychotherapist Visiting lecturer at Regent's University Diploma in Somatic Trauma Therapy Advance Diploma in Integrative Psychotherapy MA in Counselling and Psychotherapy MSc in Clinical Psychology Marta is a psychologist and an integrative psychotherapist: she has been working in the field of mental health for over 12 years in both private...

Soho

Therapist Silvi Naskinova
Silvi Naskinova

Consultant Therapist MSc in Psychodynamic Counselling and Psychotherapy HE in Humanistic and Psychodynamic Counselling Silvi is a Psychodynamic Psychotherapist offering both long and shorter-term therapy  She aims to provide a safe, supportive and non-judgmental space for her clients to explore whatever is on their minds Her work...

Oxford Circus

Therapist Evan Bates
Evan Bates

Consultant Therapist Evan is a psychodynamic therapist, offering both long and short term therapy He creates a non-judgemental and reflective space to help clients explore their difficulties and concerns Working together to understand the connections between past and current relationships, Evan supports clients in developing a deeper awareness of their recurring...

Soho

Fitzrovia

Therapist Patricia Connolly
Patricia Connolly

Consultant Psychodynamic Psychotherapist Patricia works within a psychodynamic approach This focuses on early life experience and  relationships to help you understand how they shape who you are in the present When you begin to more fully explore your emotions and attitudes you can find a deeper self–knowledge, which can also transform the way you relate to...

Soho