What Is Counselling?
Counselling is a talking therapy, which involves sharing what is troubling you with a trained professional, who helps you develop a deeper understanding of your situation and feelings, and works with you to improve your sense of well-being.
Most of us will experience difficult times in our lives, and we can often feel hesitant about asking for help; maybe we are used to turning to friends and family for support, or we prefer to be self-reliant and sort problems out by ourselves. However, there might be times when we continue to feel troubled by negative thoughts and feelings, and maybe start to feel isolated, either because there is no-one we feel able to confide in, or perhaps those we do talk to do not always understand.
Counselling offers the opportunity to talk in safety and confidence to a professional therapist. Expressing yourself to a skilled listener can bring relief from stress and anxiety, and hearing your situation clarified from the counsellor’s impartial perspective can bring new insights, helping you to think about and approach things differently.
Committing to counselling is an investment in yourself.
As you grow in self-awareness and develop insight into your responses to situations, and your relationships with others, you will find yourself applying this understanding to current and future events.
For some people addressing a specific, current problem, a few sessions may bring enhanced understanding and positive change, while those with more deep-rooted issues may benefit from longer-term counselling.
Research has shown that feeling you are in a safe and trusting relationship with your counsellor is one of the greatest indicators of a positive outcome, therefore it is important to feel comfortable with the counsellor you choose.
For further information from BACP about counselling and what to look for when choosing a counsellor please click here to go to their website.
