Parenting / 6 January, 2026 / Ellie Thompson
Leading UK psychotherapist Julia Samuel MBE joins Ellie Thompson to talk about child loss and the lifelong impact of grief. Julia is one of the most trusted voices in the UK on bereavement, trauma and healing, and has spent decades supporting families through the unimaginable. Her work has shaped how we understand grief, not as something to “get over”, but as something we learn to live alongside.
As many listeners will know, Ellie lost her son Billy, aka Billy the Brave, to DIPG, and grief has since become woven into everyday life in ways she could never have imagined. Like so many bereaved parents, she has learned that we don’t move on from our children; we move forward carrying them with us.
In this conversation, Julia brings compassion, clarity and deep insight as we explore what it truly means to live with grief: how it shows up in relationships, how siblings experience loss, and how parents can find moments of meaning and hope again — while continuing to hold the profound love we have for the children no longer in our arms.
Content Warning
If today’s conversation has brought up difficult or overwhelming feelings, please know that support is available. You might choose to reach out to a trusted friend, a counsellor, or organisations such as Child Bereavement UK, who offer guidance and support to families experiencing loss. And above all, be gentle with yourself. Grief is not something to “get over” — it’s something we learn to live with, at our own pace.
About Julia Samuel
Julia Samuel MBE is a leading UK psychotherapist who worked for decades in the NHS. She is the Founder Patron of Child Bereavement UK, an organisation she helped establish and led for 25 years. She is a former Vice President of BACP.
Julia has written three best-selling books: Grief Works, This Too Shall Pass, and Every Family Has a Story. Each of her books has been published in over 17 foreign territories.
She has written for all the national newspapers and broadcast on many TV and radio programmes. Her new podcast series, Therapy Works, was released in October 2022 and immediately ranked in the top 10 on Apple Podcasts, No. 1 in the mental health category.1.3 million downloads to date.
In 2021, Julia produced a 5* rated app for those who grieve, Grief Works – a 28-day course to support you in your grief, which has been 5* rated. Apple featured it numerous times as a recommended and trending app.
Julia has been married for over 4 decades, has 4 adult children and 10 grandchildren.
Show Notes
Child Bereavement UK – Child Bereavement UK helps children and young people (up to the age of 25), parents and families, to rebuild their lives when a child grieves or when a child dies.
Podcast
Books
Grief Works – A compassionate guide to understanding grief and how it affects us.
This Too Shall Pass – On surviving life’s challenges and finding strength through adversity.
Every Family Has a Story – Exploring family relationships, trauma and healing.
App
Grief Works App – A supportive grief app offering tools, reflections and guidance for those living with loss.
Social Media
Instagram: @juliasamuelmbe
X (Twitter): @juliasamuelmbe
Website
juliasamuel.co.uk — for therapy work, writing, speaking and resources
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