WHAT IS COUNSELLING

Counselling is an opportunity for you to explore and gain a deeper understanding of whatever in your life is causing you to feel stressed, depressed, anxious or have a feeling of malaise which you cannot shift. There can be many reasons why you come to counselling and finding a counsellor you feel safe with and listened to is essential to the process. A counsellor will be by your side to guide you and support you as work through the problems you face to find a better relationships with yourself and others.

When I started my own journey into counselling, I had anxiety about what it would entail, would a counsellor think I was silly and judge me negatively. I had concerns about how ethical a counsellor would be, would they have my best interests at heart. Through my experience of some good counsellors and the training I subsequently undertook I have a much better understanding of the role of counsellors now. I would like to share some of these with you.

Counsellors such as I am trained and have membership of a professional organisation. I undertook three and a half years of training. This was both academic training, applying what we learned to our own lives and then later to clients in the placements we undertook. We had our own counselling alongside the professional training and regular supervision to ensure that we were competent to work with clients. I needed to challenge some of my ideas of myself and others in addition to understanding how it felt to receive counselling.

In order to maintain our professional status with the organisation counsellors need to adhere to rules on how we work. We need to continue with monthly supervision to ensure we are offering best practice. We also need to continue with ongoing training throughout the time we are working. Counsellors also need to have public liability insurance and adhere to the framework set out by the professional organisation.

My training was primarily person centred. This theory is based on the belief of the client’s ability to understand the basis of the difficulties they are experiencing and be able to find solutions which best suit them. I understand and use other theories of counselling but at the basis of all of these is my belief in empowering my clients. I think this can sound a bit vague so I explain that when you discuss issues with friends and family at times you may adjust what you say not to upset them or through fear of judgement. Friends and family can offer advice based on their experiences and build understanding by talking about their own stories. This is not always helpful when you feel stuck and hopeless. A counsellor is a safe and confidential person who will listen to and help you make sense of your life. In talking through your worries your counsellor can guide you to the confusion you are feeling to a place of more acceptance and improved self-esteem

Read more about Rachel West