What is Counselling Psychotherapy?

Counselling is called the 'talking cure'. It involves a unique relationship between the counsellor and the client. It is a way of helping you to explore and resolve your personal, emotional and practical problems, in a safe, caring environment. Counselling offers you time and space to work through your difficulties. The aim is to help you clarify your thinking and deal with painful feelings. Counselling offers a non-judgmental relationship, which encompasses confidentiality, honesty and empathic listening.

An effective counsellor or psychotherapist:

		Understands depression and how to lift it
		Helps immediately with anxiety problems including trauma or fear related symptoms
		ls prepared to give information and advice as needed
		Will not use jargon or 'psychobabble' or tell you that counselling or psychotherapy has to be 'painful'
		Will not dwell unduly on the past
		Will be supportive when difficult feelings emerge, but will not encourage people to get emotional beyond the normal need to 'let go' of any bottIed up feelings
		May assist you to develop your social skilIs so that your needs for affection, friendship, pleasure, intimacy, connection to the wider community etc. can be better fulfiled