Benefits of private counselling and client care

Private counselling and psychotherapy have become more accessible in the last few years due to the waiting time frame of the NHS and the COVID-19 pandemic, making people work more remotely and communicate via software such as Teams or Zoom. Supporting many therapists to reduce their costs, as online counselling is open to a broader audience in the country. With cases of people experiencing depression, moments of low and anxiety or lacking confidence, they can quickly look into booking something unique to cater for them on the first day of choosing to skip the long stressful appointments, pathways, referrals and waiting time, which also favours the city, local borough and postcode of residents based on the funding allocated to them and the set numbers of the session allowed per client. 

Counselling as a business

Private counselling is a business, so the intention of the therapist must be to provide the best-tailored care for the individual's need, as a dishonest approach from a therapist will never win and, in the end, will leave the client more unstable and more vulnerable to future care, if the therapist is unable to support a clients needs based on certain circumstances it is better, to be honest. In the long run, the client will appreciate it. However, the therapist should guide the client to where the best resources are available and must only close their doors if, in extreme cases, personal safety becomes a risk to themselves or others.

Approachability and flexibility in booking

Individuals will have greater flexibility when scheduling, as private therapists offer appointments more suited for busy individuals, such as evenings and weekends. They also tend to be open during public holidays, making seeing them around working hours easier.

The ongoing preference of using video conferences over the telephone or in person, which is the norm going forward, allows the clients to be more comfortable. Whilst the client is relaxed, it will lead the client to be more genuine and open about their expressions, which in return will allow the therapist to be authentic and work in a better framework, creating a harmonious relationship, a major key factor in counselling, being able to be genuine from the counselling approach is one of the first and most significant steps for therapy to work - creating a more relaxing atmosphere compared to having to commute in the rush hour to get to a specific location ahead of time, either by rushing or panicking to get to specific clinical settings such as the NHS health centre, which sometimes seem outdated.

In private counselling, the individuals can search for who they believe is suitable for them based on specialist skills that match related problems or the chosen gender a person wishes to identify with, assuming there would be less to explain; however, from experience, seeing more female clients with female issues afraid to see other female therapists as they believe will show bias towards them and choose to be seen by a male counsellor who does not have the same experience to share hence can not be biased in any way possible.

Being a client, not a patient

In private practice, the patient will be referred to as a client and have a more significant role in deciding where to start, stop or even continue the sessions; the client feels more control throughout the relationship with the counsellor. As a paying client, rather than using the NHS services, sessions focus better on needs than diagnostic criteria or treatment targeting. So, to improve personal relationships or even the relationship with oneself, a better understanding of a prior experience could open doors to discovery rather than spending time discussing weekly depression and anxiety score charts.

Having a better fit

Finding someone whom an individual can click with is a significant achievement in counselling and works wonders; however, this does not mean that the therapist should take advantage of the person and the problems presenting to get more bookings; the therapist should talk very little in the sessions to discuss when the next review date is and given if the plan working toward reaching an ending to the programme is suitable - what has started must eventually end!

Getting the timing right

The availability of resources limits NHS sessions and outsourced services. As mentioned, the joining list is constantly extending, and most patients are limited to up to 12 sessions, hoping their symptoms will improve and the service will no longer be needed. Whilst this is the case for most people, in some cases, long-term therapy may be required, with more time to explore issues and work in-depth. If needed, a person may feel reassured knowing the therapist will support them over the months. If the needs change, it may be possible to increase the length of sessions or even come to closure much sooner than thought, or the person may feel things are not working as expected with the current therapist. Additionally, a person may no longer require any additional sessions or wish to take a break if this does happen, it is best practice, to be honest with the therapist, who can then possibly assist in decision-making with an alternative therapist with different skill sets who may be able to support or fits better the style of therapy behaviour suited.

Understand the therapist

Take the time to get to know who the therapist is before making the initial step. Understand their availability, the framework they govern themselves by, and the confidentiality and accessibility they provide. If they are open and transparent, they will be honest in their conduct and practice. If they are hesitant in their reply, it would be wise to look elsewhere. 

Akhtar, (SAC Dip), Lead Counselling Psychologist.