Counselling

What is Counselling?

Counselling is a process by which a client and therapist set time aside to work together to explore difficulties and allow opportunities to process complex or challenging feelings or emotions.  This may involve the therapist helping the client to discuss past experiences which may be having an effect on their present situation or behaviours.  

Counselling can help the client see and understand things more clearly and from a different point of view.  This can allow thoughts, feelings, emotions and behaviours to be addressed in a way in which positive changes can be made.

What happens during a session?

Counselling sessions can look different for each client. The issues or challenges you want to address, the training style of the therapist and your personal preferences will all have an influence on the nature of the sessions.

At the start of a course of counselling the client will often bring the issue(s) or problem that they want to work on and the therapist together with the client will agree on an approach to explore this. 

You will also go through an agreement on how you will work together, including information on confidentiality, safeguarding and payments.

If you are not sure where to start, or if there are a lot of different challenges which you are facing, the therapist can help you to determine where is best to begin. 

What can counselling help with?

Counselling can help with many different issues including but not restricted to:

Individuals may also seek counselling when they would like to see improvements in themselves and not solely when there is a problem.  People seek counselling for personal development, to help with making decisions, to enhance their confidence, to gain personal insight or knowledge, and to improve their relationships.  People may also have counselling at different times in their life for different or the same underlying issue or topic.