About Counselling

Face-to-face or Online?

There are different forms of counselling including face-to-face, telephone and ‘online’ - text, chat or email - all of which offer the same basic principles of confidentiality and impartiality. The form of counselling chosen will depend upon several factors but it is most important to select the one which feels most comfortable. Perhaps you are comfortable working with computers and prefer the anonymity working this way offers. Perhaps you prefer to meet face to face. It is very important that you choose the medium which you believe suits you best.

What can I talk about?

Whatever ‘problem’ (some prefer to call them ‘issues’) you may have it is usually good to discuss it with someone else. Often the mere fact of telling someone else about something which is disturbing us can help us to feel better about it. That is an important part of the counselling process but there is more to it than just that. A very important aspect is confidentiality.

How can counselling help and what does Person-Centred mean?

Perhaps you wish to know more about the process before you choose to begin and you may be wondering how discussing and issue with a complete stranger works.

As a Person-Centred Counsellor I believe that we each have the facility to resolve those issues which we consider to be adversely influencing our sense of well-being. I aim to provide clients with an opportunity to explore their thoughts and feelings to gain a greater understanding of the reasons for such feelings and to be aware of the choices available. Some may wish to gain a greater understanding of themself in order to enhance their personal development and self-awareness.

Will I be given advice?

Counsellors do not give advice. If you choose to become a client you will be offered ‘unconditional positive regard’. You will be carefully listened to. Everything that you say will be considered very carefully and then your statements and beliefs will be gently questioned and challenged to assist you gain a greater understanding of them.

Together, through the establishment of a non-judgemental and empathic therapeutic relationship, we will explore how conditioning, perceived ideals, life experiences and the consequent feelings, beliefs, behaviours and attitudes may be having an impact upon the ‘here and now’. Through the questioning and challenging of these, you will gain greater self-awareness allowing you to appreciate the choices available to you and discover your own solutions. All this will be done in a supportive way devoid of judgement and in an atmosphere where words like ‘should’, ‘ought’, ‘must’ and ‘got to’ have no relevance. It may be painful to relive an experience or recall memories but sometimes it is necessary in order to gain a greater understanding of ourself. Once we become aware of what it is that is disturbing us we can begin to resolve it. We come to appreciate that we have a choice - a choice to either remain as we are and think as we do or, to change. The decision as to what to do with the increased self-awareness is entirely up to the individual.

There is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ way of being. We merely need to act in ’our own best interest’. Counselling may help you discover what it is that you could do to achieve that. With desire and intent change is possible.