About counselling
What is counselling for?
We tend to feel that we should deal with life’s difficulties on our own. But it isn’t unusual to go through a time in our lives where we feel overwhelmed or stuck. Maybe we notice that we’re feeling particularly low or anxious. Or maybe something has happened to us which is affecting the way we feel or our ability to do things. Some things we can deal with on our own, or with support from family and friends. But sometimes, it just feels impossible to find our way forward.
When we’re in that place, it’s easy to imagine that things will never change. We may find ourselves trapped in one way of thinking, going round in circles. This is where counselling can help. Counselling gives us a space, away from the demands of everyday life, where we can slow down for a moment and really focus on ourselves. It gives us a chance to reflect on what is happening for us and how we feel about it. A counsellor’s role is to help you, the client, to understand and to make changes. Counsellors don’t have the answers, but they can guide you to find your own, without judgement.
How can counselling help?
So, how will talking help? Actually, in a number of ways. It can be a relief for us to speak about something that weighs on us heavily. Voicing our difficulty aloud can help us to understand it better, to see it from different angles. Talking can help us to think in new ways about a situation. It can also enable us to understand what we are feeling, and why.
The more we understand, the less we feel confused and overwhelmed by our circumstances. We can gain a sense of clarity: a moment where the clouds part and we feel able to see clearly. Talking can increase our confidence, our sense of self-worth, and our ability to relate to ourselves and others. It can even give us a newfound sense of freedom.
The type of counselling that I offer is called the Person-Centred Approach. As the name suggests, this type of talking therapy is guided by you. You set the agenda, and you decide what you would like your sessions to focus on. I will listen to you without judgement, offering a safe space to explore your thoughts and feelings, and I will share my own reflections with you where I think this will be helpful.
This may sound daunting, but as a counsellor my role is to be with you, as a guide, along every step of the way. You may have a clear idea of what you would like to get from counselling. Or you may have only a vague feeling that you would like something to change. Either one is a valid starting point for therapy.
Who is counselling for?
Counselling is for anyone. You don’t have to belong to any special category to benefit from therapy. All you need to have is the motivation to explore your situation, and an interest in making changes.
While you may notice some immediate benefits from talking, remember that things may not feel easier right away. Just like when we first start going to the gym, it usually takes some time and effort in counselling before we start to experience a real difference.
That said, depending on what you are looking for support with, counselling may not be the most helpful option for you right now. This is something that I will help you to think about from the outset. If I think that I am not the best-placed person to support you, I may suggest an alternative type of service to meet your needs.
Please note that I only work with adults age 18+.
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