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 it may be lifted
- Could help immediately with anxiety problems including trauma or fear related symptoms
- ls prepared to give information
- 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