The Long Goodbye: Navigating Grief in the Face of Terminal Illness

Grief is not always a single moment of loss—it can unfold over months or even years as we care for a loved one with a terminal illness. This experience, often called the “long goodbye,” carries a unique emotional weight, blending sorrow, uncertainty, and anticipatory grief. Unlike sudden loss, this prolonged journey can lead to exhaustion, anxiety, and deep emotional strain for those left behind.

This presentation will explore the complexities of the long goodbye, focusing on the psychological impact of prolonged caregiving and the grief that comes with witnessing a slow decline. Participants will gain valuable insights into managing the uncertainty, emotional exhaustion, and anxiety that accompany this form of loss. Through practical strategies and therapeutic approaches, including hypnosis, we will examine ways to help clients find resilience, process their grief, and ease their emotional burden—allowing them to move forward with greater clarity and compassion.

Dr Sue Peacock is a leading Consultant Health Psychologist. She has an extensive track record of supporting clients with persistent pain, sleep disorders, physical health problems, dental and medical phobias, anxiety and clinical depression. She runs her own thriving independent practice, providing specialist psychological therapy to clients and training programmes for health professionals. Sue is also a published best- selling author and has been featured in academia and regularly by the media for her work.