Support options
Work With Me
There are several ways to work with me, from self-guided resources through to one-to-one therapy. Start with what fits where you are right now.
How to choose
Find the right level of support
Not everyone needs the same kind of support. These options are designed to work together — you can start with the free guide, read the book in your own time, and move into more structured support if and when that feels right.
Start here
The First Fourteen Days
Free
A day-by-day companion for the first two weeks — when things feel most overwhelming and you need something grounded and immediately useful.
Get the free guideCore resource
The book
£12.99
The complete psychological guide. Read at your own pace. Return to chapters as different aspects of grief come into focus.
Buy NowGuided exercises
Pet Loss Psychology Toolkit
£19
Ten structured modules of psychologist-designed exercises to stabilise what's been disrupted after pet loss.
Get the toolkitDaily practice
30-day journal
£29
Structured daily reflection guided by the GENTLE framework. Works alongside the book or independently.
See the journalOnline programme
The GENTLE Path course
£147 · lifetime access
Six modules plus three bonus modules. 37 lessons, 7 guided audio practices, 20 interactive exercises, printable workbook, lifetime access.
See the courseOne-to-one
Individual therapy
From £120
Private 1:1 sessions with Dr Rachel Megahy for tailored, in-depth support through complex pet loss.
Enquire about therapyWho I work with
Support for grief that's hard to carry alone
I work with people whose grief for an animal has become hard to manage on their own — whether the loss is recent or years old. That often includes:
- Grief that isn't easing with time, or that's getting harder rather than gentler
- Persistent guilt after illness, an accident, or a decision about ending suffering
- Sudden or traumatic loss, where shock has complicated the grieving
- Anticipatory grief during a terminal diagnosis or long decline
- Loss that has reopened older bereavements, or arrived alongside other difficulties
- Feeling unable to talk about it because the people around you don't understand
You don't need to be in crisis, and your grief doesn't need to look a particular way, to be worth supporting.
How I work
Grounded in clinical psychology, tailored to you
My approach is grounded in clinical psychology and tailored to you — not a fixed programme applied to everyone. Depending on what's most helpful, I draw on evidence-based approaches including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT), Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Schema Therapy.
Alongside established therapeutic approaches, I draw on frameworks I've developed specifically for pet bereavement:
The GENTLE Method
My evidence-informed framework for helping people navigate pet bereavement, manage overwhelming emotions, and find a way to carry their loss while remaining connected to the love they shared.
The Structural Role Model
A unique model that helps explain why pet loss can feel so devastating, by exploring the multiple emotional, practical, and psychological roles our pets occupy in our lives.
The aim isn't to help you "get over" your pet, or to move on as though the relationship didn't matter. It's to help you carry the loss in a way that lets life open back up.
What to expect
How the work unfolds
Initial enquiry
You get in touch using the form below. I'll respond within two working days to let you know whether I currently have availability and to answer any initial questions.
Assessment session
A thorough 60-minute assessment to understand your specific experience — the relationship you had, the circumstances of the loss, and what you are carrying now. This forms the basis of the psychological formulation.
Formulation and plan
We develop a shared understanding of what is happening psychologically and why. This is not a diagnosis — it is a map. It clarifies what needs to shift and provides the structure for the work ahead.
Structured sessions
Weekly or fortnightly sessions, typically 8–12 in total, though this is always reviewed. Sessions are structured around clear goals. Progress is regularly reviewed so you always know where you are and where we are heading.
Questions
Frequently asked
Is this therapy or counselling?
This is clinical psychology — specifically, formulation-driven psychological therapy delivered by a qualified Clinical Psychologist. It uses the same evidence-based approaches used in NHS and specialist mental health services: CBT, compassion-focused therapy, and trauma-informed practice. It is not generic counselling or coaching.
Do I need to have read the book first?
No. The book and therapy draw on the same framework, but they are independent. Some people come to therapy having read the book; others come first and read the book later. Neither is required.
Is remote therapy as effective as in-person?
For most presentations, yes. The research evidence on remote psychological therapy is generally positive, and many people find the convenience of accessing sessions from home reduces a barrier. I'll be honest if I think a particular issue would be better served by in-person work.
How do I know if I need therapy rather than self-guided resources?
Self-guided resources — the book, the journal, the free guide — are appropriate for most people navigating pet loss, including those experiencing intense grief. Therapy is more likely to be appropriate if grief is significantly affecting daily functioning over a prolonged period, if there is significant trauma alongside the grief, if there are pre-existing mental health difficulties, or if self-guided approaches haven't shifted things. If you are unsure, get in touch and I will give you an honest answer.
What is your cancellation policy?
Sessions cancelled with less than 48 hours' notice are charged in full. This policy is in place to protect session time for everyone on the waiting list.
Are you registered with insurance providers?
Please enquire directly about insurance — coverage varies by provider and policy. I can provide documentation to support an insurance claim if required.
Not sure you need therapy?
Start with the resources
Most people navigating pet loss will find significant support in the book and the free guide. Therapy is the most intensive option — and not necessarily the right starting point.
Get in touch
Therapy enquiry
Use the form to enquire about availability and fees. I respond to all enquiries within two working days.
Before enquiring
If you are unsure whether therapy is what you need, you are welcome to say so in your message. I will respond honestly about whether I think it is likely to be helpful, and may suggest starting with the book or free guide first.
If you are in crisis
If you are in acute distress and need immediate support, please contact your GP, call 116 123 (Samaritans), or go to your nearest A&E. I am not able to provide crisis support.
Enquire about therapy
I'll respond within two working days.
All enquiries are treated with complete confidentiality.