What is Counselling and what will it do for me? Part 1

We all have times where things always seem to be problems and difficulties, times when we cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel, and yes, often we bide those times and see it through to the other end. Sometimes, though, we feel we are so bogged down with more and more things that we think we have to cope with that it can eventually be a much smaller thing that is the one stressor too many and we become stuck.

This is where counselling can help.

What is counselling?

Counselling is a collaborative process between a counsellor and client to help an individual take effective control of their life. It involves talking and being listened to and really heard and understood; honesty and objectivity but never judgement or advice; and respect for the thoughts, feelings and concerns that are important to you. It offers the opportunity to say, confidentially, things that you may not wish to say to those who are close to you, and perhaps had not even considered admitting to yourself, allowing for a new openness to future personal development and coping. It can be a bit like looking at yourself in a mirror with a fresh pair of eyes that see things differently.

A counsellor will help you, through reflection, to examine patterns of behaviour and beliefs, to prioritise and throw new perspectives on situations that help to improve your resilience to future problems and life events. You will have the opportunity to carefully consider and appreciate your current skills and strengths and learn to build on these to enhance self-esteem, confidence and coping mechanisms. – And you will never be alone.

People seek counselling for many reasons. Bereavement may leave you feeling lost, unable to cope and not wishing to burden other people with your grief; depression can feel like a black pit out of which you cannot climb, anxiety and stress may leave you unable to function effectively, daily feeling ill, traumatised and unable to juggle all life or work constantly throws at you; low self esteem may make you unwilling to socialise and seek out other people, make you feel inadequate and unable to find and follow the life that would make you happy. You may not even know what it is that brings you to counselling – there is just a need for someone else to help you.

In Part 2 tomorrow we will consider how to find the best counsellor and counselling for you.