What is counselling?
I think of counselling as a conversation between two people, focussing on the needs and concerns of one of them, with the intention of alleviating that person’s suffering, increasing their sense of satisfaction with their life, or meeting some other self-defined goal.
Who is counselling for?
We all have problems at some time in our lives, and many of us have problems which run through our lives. Counselling is for anyone who has painful experiences to come to terms with, who has problems to resolve, or who seeks to live in a more authentic and satisfactory way.
The following list is not exhaustive, but is indicative of some common reasons people have come to see me:
The following list is not exhaustive, but is indicative of some common reasons people have come to see me:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Self-esteem
- Stress
- Abuse (in current or recent relationship, or the effects of childhood abuse)
- Relationships
- Bereavement
- Work-related issues
- Life choices and personal growth
How can counselling help you?
Counselling can help in many different ways. Having someone showing interest in you in a respectful and compassionate way may offer healing from past hurts and rejections. Talking through a current or ongoing difficulty may help you to achieve a new perspective and find new ways to cope. Exploring how you think about yourself and your life in the company of someone who will gently challenge you can lead to deep and far-reaching changes.
Counselling can help you become more yourself and live your life more fully: by understanding and healing your past, by overcoming obstacles in the present, and by clarifying the hopes, dreams, values and goals that lead you into your future.
Counselling can help you become more yourself and live your life more fully: by understanding and healing your past, by overcoming obstacles in the present, and by clarifying the hopes, dreams, values and goals that lead you into your future.