The Counselling Process

Not knowing what counselling is or what it involves can sometimes put people off seeking the help they need. To some the thought of telling a complete stranger about difficult situations in your life and memories and experiences in your past may even sound frightening.

The truth is that counselling may at times be a painful process during which hurtful thoughts and feelings that have been hidden for some time can surface. But I believe that the more we talk the more we learn about ourselves. This can be the beginning of the healing process as once these long held beliefs and feelings are explored they usually lose their power to hurt and hinder. I often think of it as the monster under the bed. When we were young many of us were terrified of the monster under the bed. However once we start talking about the monster under the bed it tends to lose it grip of terror on us.

During the counselling process your journey of understanding and change will be facilitated by a professional therapist who won’t judge you as right or wrong but instead explore with you what is lying behind current feelings and behaviours.

When you come to counselling for the first time remember you are assessing your therapist as much as they are assessing you. It’s okay to ask about their background and experience, their credentials and qualifications, what professional bodies they belong to and what to expect in the sessions etc. Remember also that the counselling process is your process. Its about what you want to focus on. If you feel your therapist has asked the wrong questions or is picking up on the wrong thing it’s okay to say.

#counselling

Tags: belfast, counselling, sentient