This post follows on from previous posts explaining what counselling is and what to expect.
As mentioned in other posts, counselling is a type of talking therapy, whereby individuals can talk in confidence about any difficulties, problems, and concerns –that are troubling or perplexing.
This can include feelings of stress or anxiety, concerns about work, breakdown of relationships, feeling depressed or overwhelmed, struggling to cope or just needing someone to talk to, who will listen in confidence and without judgement.
It doesn’t have to be something big; instead, it can be anything that you feel is holding you back from achieving your personal potential or from really enjoying life.
It is not intended as a last option after all else has been tried, rather, it is an option that can prove helpful at any time. The aim of counselling is to provide clients with the space and time to talk about things that matter to them or are bothering them.
‘Person-centred’ counselling means that sessions are tailored to the client’s needs and that the matters they wish to discuss are the focus. The counsellor seeks to concentrate entirely on the client’s perspective and lived experience, tracking their account and listening carefully.
A range of theoretical approaches and creative interventions may be used, as well as discussion with questions and the counsellor reflecting back to provide feedback on what they observe in the client’s behaviours, concerns and demeanour.
All of this helps provide a client with a means of exploration and examination – in a sense, taking things apart to help improve or change understanding, awareness, perspective and personal learning.
The process may not be easy and may reveal thoughts and emotions the client wasn’t aware of. This can provide useful insights – these may arise during the sessions or at any other time, like a light-bulb moment. For instance, the client may become aware of a thought or perspective that they did not have previously.
Help may also be given to develop coping strategies and ways of improving confidence and self-esteem, such as identifying strengths, values and achievements.
Possible outcomes of counselling are:
- You feel better – less angry
- You have changed your perspective
- You understand yourself better, your needs and how you function best
- You have improved self-esteem and confidence
- You feel less depressed and unhappy
- You have changed old patterns
- You feel like you have come to terms with things and made sense of them
- You have a greater understanding of how you have been affected by things
- You feel unburdened, less weighed down – the load has been lightened
- You feel more settled in your own mind – with more clarity
At all times, the counsellor is sensitive to each individual client’s process, working at their pace and direction. This is unique to each person, making the counselling process a very special and personally rewarding experience.