How can counselling help me?
Counselling usually involves a regular meeting with the counsellor, usually on a weekly but sometimes on a fortnightly basis, to discuss whatever issue or problem you have identified. The timing is the same every week and each session lasts for between fifty minutes and one hour.
This can be open-ended or with an agreed time period e.g. 6 weeks. In our conversation we might start by talking about confidentiality and finding out what your goals are.
It can be of immediate assistance and relief to begin to explore the issue in confidence, without judgement, helping you to feel less isolated. We may explore strategies for dealing with your difficulties, and see different ways of looking at things. Your ability to cope with what life throws at you might strengthen. You might find you have more energy and are more assertive. You might find that your patterns of behaviour or your moods change.
Some people choose to come for counselling for a matter of weeks or months and find what they are looking for. It is very important to feel comfortable with the counsellor and there is nothing wrong with meeting with several counsellors to see which one you feel most comfortable with.
If you are on a reduced income, for whatever reason, you may want to see if there is a concessionary place available.
You can leave counselling at any time you like, but it is usually a good idea to have an agreed ending so that you and your counsellor have the chance to say "goodbye". "WE WILLINGLY SPEND a dozen years in school, then go on to college or professional training for several more; we work out at the gym to stay healthy; we spend a lot of time enhancing our comfort, our wealth, and our social status.
We put a great deal into all this, and yet we do so little to improve the inner condition that determines the very quality of our lives.
What strange hesitancy, fear, or apathy stops us from
looking within ourselves?"
Matthieu Ricard
Photo I Met Serenity by Ben Heine on Flickr
