The day I lost my first husband to suicide, I felt like the world had stopped. A grief so raw and overwhelming - especially at five months pregnant. I didn’t know how to breathe around it. I thought my life was over too. But that wasn’t the first time I’d faced loss - I’d also lost my dad at 20 and my mum at 34. Life had taught me early that grief doesn’t follow rules, timetables, or expectations.
These experiences changed me in ways I couldn’t have imagined. They also showed me how isolating grief can feel, and how much difference a gentle, understanding presence can make. That’s why I created Afterglow - a space where grief is met with warmth, care, and practical tools, rather than pressure or judgment.
At Afterglow, I guide people through loss in a way that honours their pace and their story. My approach is holistic and trauma-informed, helping you reconnect with your body, mind, and heart. Together, we explore ways to process grief, find steadiness, and uncover small sparks of hope - even when life feels unbearably heavy.
I offer:
1:1 Coaching tailored to your journey, whether that’s a short starter bundle or a longer path of support
Afterglow Circles, small-group spaces to share, reflect, and connect with others who truly understand
Sessions in person in Liverpool, in calm, grounding spaces - or online, so support can reach you wherever you are
I know that grief doesn’t go away, and there’s no ‘quick fix.’ But I also know it’s possible to feel steadier, take small steps forward, and even rediscover light, meaning and hope alongside loss. Sometimes you just need someone who ‘gets it’ to help guide the way.
Alongside Afterglow, I run LoveLossDiscoballs, a greeting card business inspired by life, love, and loss. It reminds me every day that life, even after profound loss, can hold beauty, creativity, and connection - and I bring that same belief into every session I offer.
I would be honoured to walk alongside you on your journey through grief, providing a calm, safe space to feel, reflect, and gently find your own afterglow.
My Story
How I’m Trained to Support You
I’m a Trauma-Informed Holistic Grief Coach, having completed the Holistic Grief Coach Certification®, accredited by both the ACCPH and the IPHM.
My training focused on supporting people through grief in a safe, compassionate, and trauma-aware way, both one-to-one and in group settings. Grief coaching isn’t therapy or counselling - we don’t revisit or delve into past trauma. We simply find ways to move forward using a holistic (whole person - mind, body and spirit) approach. As part of the certification, my coaching sessions were reviewed and assessed, and I work within clear ethical boundaries - including knowing when coaching is supportive and when someone may need therapeutic or clinical support instead or alongside our sessions.
I continue to reflect on and develop my practice, and I approach this work with care, responsibility, and deep respect for the vulnerability that grief brings.
Alongside my professional training, I bring lived experience of profound loss, which shapes how I hold space: gently, honestly, and always at your pace.
If you’re unsure whether coaching is right for you, I offer a free, no-obligation call to explore what support might feel most helpful.
“I’ve been incredibly lucky to work with Rachel on a weekly basis for six months. What truly sets her apart is the combination of her lived experience and her deep knowledge of grief and related fields. She is deeply trauma-informed and consistently creates a sense of safety, even in the most vulnerable moments. Rachel has an amazing ability to listen beyond words and gently translate my loose feelings and scattered thoughts into something that makes sense. She has also been a profound source of inspiration in showing how grief and sorrow can be transformed into something meaningful, and even light. I’ve felt held, understood, and supported throughout our work together. I’m deeply grateful for the way she has walked alongside me ”