How to get the most out of counselling: ‘Therapy’ and ‘counselling’ are often used interchangeably, and ‘counselling’ can be used to refer to a wide range of talking therapies, but it is also a therapeutic approach in its own right.
Although most people seek a counsellor because of a current issue in their life, counselling can help you look at your emotions more generally, including how your past experiences may have shaped the way you live your life now.
Counselling is often a short-term, practical and goal-oriented approach and is seen as a preventative measure for you, a form of self-care in managing your difficult feelings before they become unmanageable.
How Does Counselling Work?: Counsellors are trained to listen closely to you without judgement about your feelings, your thoughts and your fears. They will help you find solutions for the issues that are troubling you, without telling you what to do.
Different counsellors specialise in different issues, and it may be useful for you to look for a counsellor with specific knowledge of your difficulty.
Counselling can be practiced with individuals, couples, families and groups. It can take place weekly or less frequently, depending on your needs and the style of your counsellor, and most sessions will last for 50 minutes.
