More About Counselling: Why, Who, How and More

We quickly examine the why, what, how, who, and more about counselling. We understand the benefits and rationale to learn more about what you can expect for yourself or someone you might know undertaking counselling.

Why seek counselling

The reasons people seek counselling are variable. Often, people come to counselling who suffer from or have encountered distressing or stressful experiences or situations that they’d like to talk about in a safe setting. These may include present circumstances of bereavement, separation, or other major life transitions or experiences from the past, such as childhood. Others seek help in dealing with specific psychological or behavioural traits that have altered, such as compulsive thoughts or difficulties relating to people.

Some people seek counselling to help them explore a general feeling that their lives are not quite right or to cope with feelings of depression or anxiety. Still others consider counselling an opportunity to undertake personal development in a safe and supportive environment: having a ‘problem’ to find counselling helpful is unnecessary.

People seeking general developmental counselling as they struggle to decide due to difficulties ranging from ‘minor niggles’ to profound distress impacting all areas of life have benefited from counselling.

Are there other benefits of counselling?

In addition to help with specific goals or difficulties, clients who undertake counselling may experience general improvements in quality of life, including:

• Decrease defensiveness

• Increased ability to express themselves

• Improved relationships with other people

• Increased self-esteem

What is it?

Whatever their reason for seeking counselling, clients coming to the session will find a safe and confidential environment and a supportive human being who will listen non-judgmentally and strive to understand thoughts and feelings from the client’s point of view. Depending on their preferred therapeutic approach, clients may choose to work with a counsellor who offers almost no direct advice and supports them in their explorations, or they may choose to work with a counsellor who challenges them and teaches them particular techniques which can help them meet their goals similar to Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) or Gestalt therapy.

Who goes to counselling?

Clients come from all walks of life and all occupations. They may be senior executives running large corporations, students, or unemployed. They may be young children of all ages. They may be physically healthy or suffering from a debilitating or even terminal illness. Counsellors benefit men and women of all kinds.

Akhtar, (SAC Dip), Lead Counselling Psychologist. 

www.akhtarcounselling.co.uk