What is Counselling and how does it help?

What is counselling?

Counselling is a specific form of helping relationship. It is a conversational process. 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?

Counselling can be an effective relief 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 and 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, including narcissistic behaviours

• 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 could I expect to achieve from counselling?

The outcomes of counselling can vary widely depending on each person and their specific issues. It is very personal. Having said this, commonly reported benefits include:

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

2. Increased awareness: People often 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 help to increase a sense of self-worth, self-acceptance and self-esteem.

4. Clarity of thought and better decision-making: Having a a place to explore personal values, goals, and priorities can help people to make more intentional and psychologically healthy decisions.

5. Enhanced coping skills: Discovering healthier coping strategies to deal with the here and now, as well as new challenges that might come along in the future.

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, so you might want to set a specific agenda or outcomes, or we can simply focus on whatever is on your mind at the time. I will listen to you carefully and respectfully and help you to work through your problems. All in the strictest confidence.

It can be helpful to plan a brief quiet time for yourself immediately afterwards.