Adults Bereaved as Children with Psychotherapist & Researcher Mandy Gosling

Episode Number: Episode 26 Release Date: 30 June 2026 Grief Doesn't End: Understanding Early Life Loss with Mandy Gosling Episode Summary In this episode of Grief Unedited, I’m joined by Mandy Gosling, psychotherapist, researcher, advocate, and founder of ABC Grief. We explore the lifelong impact of being bereaved as a child and the unique challenges faced by adults who experienced significant loss in their early years. Drawing on her own experience of losing her mother at just nine years old, alongside her extensive clinical work and research, Mandy shares powerful insights into how grief evolves across a lifetime. Together, we discuss why grief is rarely something that can be "fixed," how childhood bereavement often shows up in unexpected ways, and why there is no one-size-fits-all approach to navigating loss. This is an honest, compassionate conversation about what becomes possible when we learn to live alongside grief rather than fight against it. About Mandy Gosling Mandy Gosling is a UKCP-accredited psychotherapist, researcher, speaker, and advocate specialising in the long-term impact of childhood bereavement. Having experienced the death of her mother at the age of nine, Mandy brings together lived experience, clinical expertise, and academic research to support adults who were bereaved in childhood. Through her work with ABC Grief, her research, speaking engagements, and ongoing PhD studies, Mandy is helping to raise awareness of the unique challenges faced by adults who experienced significant loss early in life and advocating for greater understanding and support. In This Episode, We Chat About: The Reality of Childhood Bereavement How the death of a parent in childhood can shape identity, relationships, and emotional wellbeing for decades. Why grief experienced in childhood often resurfaces at different stages of life. Expecting the Unexpected Why grief isn't something that has a finish line. Mandy's experience of encountering a grief response more than 50 years after her mother's death. Learning to trust your own experience rather than society's expectations of grief. Breaking the Myths Around Grief The misconception that grief follows a predictable timeline. Why grief is about much more than tears and sadness. How grief can show up through anxiety, behavioural challenges, relationship difficulties, and other unexpected ways. Supporting Bereaved Children The complexities of involving children in funerals and rituals. Why there is rarely a "right" or "wrong" answer when supporting grieving children. The importance of honest, age-appropriate conversations. Living Beyond Loss How psychotherapy and research transformed Mandy's understanding of her own grief. The power of conscious grieving and anticipatory grief. Why having experienced early life loss doesn't mean a person cannot go on to live a full and meaningful life. Connect with Karen Instagram:   / continuumcounselling   Facebook:   / continuumcounselling   Website: https://www.continuumcounselling.com Connect with Mandy Gosling Website: https://abcgrief.co.uk LinkedIn: Mandy Gosling Instagram:   / abcgrief   Facebook: Mandy Gosling Therapy Support Grief Unedited This podcast is a passion project dedicated to keeping conversations about grief honest and unedited. If you find value in these episodes, please consider: Subscribing – So you never miss an episode. Sharing – Send this episode to someone who might find comfort, validation, or insight. Buying Me a Coffee – To help keep the show running, support us here: buymeacoffee.com/griefunedited Subscribe & Review If you enjoyed this conversation, please leave a rating or review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Reviews are one of the best ways to help others discover the podcast and join these important conversations about grief, loss, and healing. Shop the Grief Journal Our brand new grief journal, Grief and Growth, is available here: https://amzn.eu/d/0fDaVBLj