Meet Samantha

Welcome to Vilomah Solace

Hello, my name is Samantha Pickering and I am the Founder and

CEO of Vilomah Solace.

To me, this is more than business, my work is deeply connected to my own journey of learning how to breathe more easily and live with the grief that threatened to destroy me, when my precious 15 year old son, Thomas, died suddenly from a brain aneurysm.

In my darkest days, those that hit during a time when the world was locked down due to Covid rules, I found myself isolated in my grief, spiralling into darkness, yet still desperately trying to parent my 5 living daughters who ranged in age from 18 months up to 20 years (with the eldest being in her own home 360 miles away).

On the day my son died, I became a Vilomah - a parent whose child has died.

A parent who is navigating life after the death of their child.

My work is a commitment I made, in my son's memory, to help shine a light in the darkest depths of this grief.

My Mission - be a guiding light in the darkness of grief

My mission is to support those who are grieving, following the death of their child, guiding them to find new connections to themselves, the world around them and to the memory of their child. Enabling them to come to their own understanding that grief for their child can become a reliable companion in life, rather than something to be feared or avoided. The grief for the loss of a child does last our lifetime, as that is how long our child should have been in the world. This grief does not have to be so painful and should not stop us from living a life that also includes joy. Something that seems impossible in the early days of grief.

What Qualifications Do I Have?

Certified Grief Educator - Trained by David Kessler
Grief Movement Guide - Trained by Paul Denniston
One of Many Women Life Coach - Trained by Dr Joanna Martin
A Vilomah - A parent whose child has died.
Fellow Griever of other losses
Public Speaker for 25 Years
Reiki Master

My Approach

I come from a multi disciplinary background and also have the lived experience of someone who has faced multiple forms of grief though bereavement and also the sense of loss when you lose your mobility. This combination has led me to realise that for many grief is not something that can be processed by talk alone. Far too often we scrabble to find words that don't exist, in an attempt to explain what we are facing. This inability to find true expression creates an internal build up as our body holds the score, until we can find a way to physically release it. My work involves a combination of modalities that connect our minds and bodies to enable us to navigate grief in a gentler more holistic way.

Companionship

Guide & Support

Provide Practical Tools

Work at the Clients Pace and Capacity

Empower Clients to Explore New Things

Create Connections Between The Body and the Mind

Learn to Expand To Create Lasting Memories

This is your unique grief path. I cannot walk it for you but I can walk alongside you.

What is a Grief Coach and Educator?

A Grief Educator is a professional who helps people learn to cope with loss and grief.

They provide emotional support, education, and resources to individuals, families, and groups experiencing grief, trauma, or life transitions.

Guide -

Educate -

Empower -

What Roles Are Not Performed By A Grief Coach?

Therapist or Counsellor

I'm not a licensed therapist or counsellor.

As such I will not diagnose you or analyse the past with you.

Grief coaching is focused on finding ways to step forward in life, not looking backwards to try to analyse all that you have faced in life, so far. Although some conversation of past experiences will naturally come up, and does have an impact on how we grieve, we do not stay in this space.

If you need this kind of support, I work closely with a number of counsellors that I can put you in contact with in North Devon or visit www.bacp.co.uk for counsellors in your area.

Mental Health Professional

I'm not a licensed medical or mental health professional. I do not diagnose mental health issues or prescribe medications. For these services please contact your local doctor.

I value the mental health of all of my clients and potential clients and am here to help you through your current grief rather than

addressing deeper psychological issues.