Hi BR, it certainly sounds like you've got a huge amount to deal with.  My understanding is that counselling is useful if your emotions or thoughts surrounding a situation are in themselves becoming a problem  (eg worrying so much you can't live your normal life, preoccupation with the situation to the exclusion of your regular tasks, so much sadness you can't get out of bed etc.) Counsellors can help you find new, more constructive tools for dealing with things.   If you are able to function through all this then you may not need counselling, but do take any help that is offered to you (why not make your life as easy as possible!)  It may also be good to debrief with a trusted friend if you can, just to be sure that you are functioning as well as you think you are (I know from experience that stress can warp your perception, and what looks like normal functioning now may not have looked normal before.)  It's great that you've joined this forum, too.   I hope this year gets better at a rate of knots!  love Emily ... View more