FAQs: What is counselling and how does it help?

FAQs:

What is counselling?

Counselling is a specific form of helping relationship. It is a conversational process which your counsellor will lead you through. The aim of counselling is to help you to explore your personal difficulties in a safe and confidential way. Many people find that over time this can help them to feel better and make problems seem easier. 

My style of counselling is particularly open, non-judgemental and understanding. This can be helpful because it allows you to keep control over the content and pace of our sessions. 

I am qualified in Person-Centred Counselling, which follows a specific set of attitudes and core conditions in line with the research of Carl Rogers and others. These attitudes include empathetic understanding, a well-integrated genuineness ('congruence'), and a sense of non-judgemental, warm acceptance which is termed ‘unconditional positive regard’.

In addition to this, I am qualified in an approach termed 'Solution Focused Brief Therapy'. This is also well supported by evidence as an effective form of therapy, originally developed by Steve de Shazer and Insoo Kim Berg. In this practice, we can explore your best hopes for the future, ways in which you have been coping, and other potential resources for further support and progress.

What problems can I bring to counselling?

I can offer effective help for the following mental health and wellbeing problems:

• Anxiety, compulsions and panic

• Bereavement, trauma and loss, however recent or long ago

• Depression, persistent low mood, lack of motivation

• Existential and emotional crises or struggling to find meaning in life

• Marginalisation and discrimination

• Neurodiversity challenges - and benefits!

• Physical health worries, which may extend into health anxiety

• Relationship problems and abuse situations

• Self-harm, which can take many forms

• Social anxiety and related difficulties around other people

• Suicidal thoughts or actions, finding it almost impossible to keep going, feelings of desperation

• Workplace issues and stress

What outcomes do people typically achieve from counselling?

The outcomes of counselling can vary widely depending on the individual and the specific issues being addressed. It is very personal. Having said this, some commonly reported benefits include:

1. Improved mental health: Many people experience a reduction in symptoms related to mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, and stress. This can lead to more effective emotional regulation and a better overall quality of life.

2. Increased awareness: Counselling often helps people to gain a better understanding of themselves, and of other people, of their emotions and their patterns of thinking and behaviour.

3. Greater self-esteem: Working through personal issues and reflecting on them in a safe and validating space can contribute to an increased sense of self-worth, self-acceptance and self-esteem.

4. Clarity of thought and better decision-making: Counselling can provide a place for you to explore your values, goals, and priorities, helping you make more intentional and psychologically healthy decisions.

5. Enhanced future coping skills: Counselling can help you to discover healthier coping strategies to deal with new challenges in the future.

It is important to note that therapy is a highly individual and personal process, and not everyone will experience the same outcomes. Some situations may lead to significant improvements relatively quickly, while others may require more time.

What happens during a counselling session?

Meeting with me, simply come as you are and be yourself. We will go at your pace. My counselling is very flexible, and you may wish to set an agenda or some specific outcomes, or may want to focus on whatever is on your mind at the time. I will listen to you carefully and help you to work through your problems. 

It can be helpful to take some time for yourself immediately afterwards if possible, as counselling can be an intense experience.

How many sessions will I need?

This depends on results and how you are feeling. People often like to meet at a regular weekly or fortnightly time, especially to start with, and spread them out as things improve. Although if you have commitments that make a fixed time difficult, I can also be flexible with appointment times. We can discuss this at the end of each session. Sessions are a standard 50 minutes long. 

You are under no obligation to have a specific number of sessions, nor to continue if it does not feel helpful. Equally, there are no limitations in terms of a fixed or limited number of sessions. If you feel the need for longer-term support, I can be here for as long as you need.

You are the one who decides when things have improved enough to end the counselling sessions. It can be helpful to raise this in good time before your final session, especially if we have been working together for several weeks or more, to allow for a well-managed ending. However, this is entirely your choice, which I will fully respect.

Please feel free to Contact me if you have further questions.