The aim of Counselling and Psychotherapy is to help people to understand and overcome issues that are preventing them from living a full and productive life. This is done in a private and confidential manner with a therapist adhering to professional guidelines as laid out in the IACP code of ethics. For most people it can be a lot easier to talk to someone independent from family and friends as they won’t want to burden them with their issues.
Counselling is a talking therapy involving you and a therapist who is trained in the art of actively listening, to help pinpoint issues and thus enable you to find answers to problems you might be having at present. The counselor can then help to you achieve a greater understanding of how these concerns are affecting you in the present and help you to change the behaviors occurring as a result of the negative feelings. This will be done in a very gentle and explorative way which can help to ease whatever distress you might be feeling.
The reasons people attend can vary from relationship break ups, to bereavement, anxiety or family support due to a family member’s issues. Thankfully the stigma attached to attending therapy has lessened and a lot GPs now refer clients to see counselors.
In the past it might have been seen as a sign of weakness or for someone with mental health problems, but more often than not people attend before reaching crisis stage as the public become more aware of services available.
Counseling normally takes place once a week for 50 minutes and where possible if there is a cancellation to give 24 hours notice.
