About Counselling
What Is Counselling And What Benefits Can It Bring?Counselling allows for the creation of a unique relationship in which the client has the experience of being listened to and heard quite differently to how they may be within other relationships in their life. Often this new way of being received is helpful, enlightening and conducive to growth and change.
A counsellor is trained to listen attentively, patiently, and impartially their client, reflecting upon and exploring the client’s concerns, whilst carefully sharing their own thoughts and observations. A counsellor will not offer advice or try to push their client towards a particular course of action (as other ‘helping professionals’ might). Nor will a counsellor pass judgement or expect certain behaviours or attitudes from the client in return for their listening and acceptance (as friends or family members sometimes do). Instead - through respecting and working with the client as they are, and maintaining confidentiality, a counsellor tries to foster the kind of environment where their client can explore their thoughts and feelings safely. Often this results in feelings of relief, a greater sense of empowerment, and increased levels of self-acceptance in the client which can soon lead to them making positive changes within their life.
What Conditions Can Counselling Help?
People seek counselling for many reasons and it is a myth that only those who are severely mentally troubled need counselling or can benefit from what it can offer. There are many experiences that most people know at some point in their lives that can be aided by counselling. These include:
Relationship difficulties
Feelings of low self-esteem
Confusion over identity, career options, lifestyle choices or faith
Difficulty in coming to terms with loss or sudden change (bereavement or redundancy for example)
Counselling can also help people dealing with more specific psychological issues such as:
Depression
Anxiety
Addiction
Eating disorders
