Not all losses are visible or final. Sometimes we grieve something that has changed but not fully disappeared, such as a relationship that ended without closure, a loved one with declining health, or even a role in life that is no longer yours. Other times it can be the loss of a hoped for future or even losing your sense of who you are. This is called ambiguous loss. It can feel confusing, unresolved, and hard to talk about because there’s no clear event to point to.
How It Affects Us
Ambiguous loss often leaves people stuck between holding on and letting go. Common experiences include:
- A deep sense of longing with no resolution
- Feeling unseen because others don’t recognise the loss
- Questioning identity when roles or relationships shift
- Guilt for grieving something “invisible”
- The lack of traditional rituals of mourning such as a burial service can complicate our grief
- Loneliness due to feeling unheard and misunderstood
Why Therapy Helps
Because ambiguous loss isn’t always socially acknowledged, many people struggle in silence. Therapy provides a space to name and explore these experiences without judgment. We acknowledge the complexity of your loss, explore its impact on your identity and relationships and find ways to live alongside it.
Reclaiming Meaning
Making sense of ambiguous loss is less about “moving on” and more about learning how to live with uncertainty. Therapy offers a place to gently untangle what feels confusing, and to discover new ways of grounding yourself in the midst of change. Even when answers are unclear, finding meaning in your experience can bring a sense of relief and resilience.
