In case you have not had experience of counselling, before here is some information.

WHAT IS COUNSELLING?

Counselling is all about change, it is about exploring feelings. The overall aim of counselling is to try and help you sort out and untangle your feelings and worries .  Counselling provides you with an opportunity to talk about difficulties without being judged, in other words in a non-judgmental and empathic environment. Confidentiality is important to the success of counselling.  It is more difficult to talk openly if you think what you say will be passed onto others. The only times sessions are not kept confidential  is at such times if you announce an intention of suicide or self-harm, child protection issues, law breaking or if formally approached by the courts. Most people seem to be able to understand these exceptions. .  

A session involves sitting with a counsellor in a private, comfortable room for an hour. During this time you have control. You can talk about what problems you wish, after all you are the expert on you . Counselling especially when you are thinking about starting it, can seem daunting. When you are undergoing counselling it can be upsetting at times. The counsellor will not tell you what you should or must do or say, after all you have the right to be you. However, you should remember why you have gone to counselling. Usually it is because things are not quite right for you. You realise things need to change.

Counselling can be really useful, but it is only successful when you want to change. Its not a case of being talked at, in fact there can often be long silences. As a counsellor, I do not tell you what to do but may try to guide you helping you see your problem from a different position. However, it also provides an opportunity to spend some time thinking about how you truly feel and about what you really want. Sometimes you may feel that you just need someone to listen, to try and understand what we feel.  Counselling provides someone to “hear you”.

My personal counselling style is based on my integrated training. I use a number of different techniques as suits you, the individual. These methods include CBT, Gestalt therapy, psychodynamic and transactional analysis. There may even be occasion when I show you how to relax using certain techniques. All the names and ideas may seem very formal but would be explained within the sessions. Sessions are tailored to you and your needs.

I hope this brief resumé has been of help to you in your decision as to whether to have counselling. Please remember all counsellors can be different. If you do not 'get on' with a counsellor do not think it is pointless, it can often just be that you have not seen the right counsellor for you.