What is Counselling?
A little introduction into what to expect from Counselling.
Counselling is a safe space to share in, it can be used for such a vast variety of things. Many people use this space to look at things that may be troubling them, such as Grief, and Loss (this could be the loss of a loved one, a job, a relationship, a pet, their Identity, amongst other things), Past Traumas, PTSD, Abuse, feeling stuck or lost in their lives. Phobias, relationship problems, health worries/anxiety, the list could go on….and this is why counselling is really beneficial for so many areas of our lives.
Many people struggle with Anxiety and Depression, Confidence issues and lack of Self-worth, and Counselling can really help in these areas.
It can be helpful to have someone to talk to that can listen non judgingly, empathically with your best interests at heart. Someone that isn’t emotionally attached and can be unbiased in their work with you. To feel ‘heard’ is really important for many people and can help with self-worth, amongst other things.
A counselling Session is usually an hour long, it can be accessed in person, or via the telephone and also is available via zoom if needed.
It can consist of many different techniques dependant on the subject presented, is usually always a Person-Centred Approach, which means the client (You) are actively involved in your sessions, the Therapist will help you to look at the ways in which you perceive yourself and work on these areas with you to increase self-esteem, self-worth and Confidence, this will in turn allow you to move forward and help you in a positive way.
Some techniques used, but not limited to within the sessions are;
Talking therapy- this is used initially to obtain information about what the client(You) is looking for and helps develop the relationship between therapist and client. It is the most commonly used therapy within counselling and allows the client to express what they want from the sessions, and helps the Therapist find out what techniques might be of help to the client.
CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy)– this is a solution-focused therapy alongside talking, which consists of using forms, and exercises to be completed at home, alongside sessions. These will enable progression and positive outcomes through change in behaviours over a period of time. It helps to change the negative thoughts, and change the behaviours associated with these thoughts. Making way for new habits and behaviours to be formed. This type of therapy works well for GAD (Generalised Anxiety Disorder), Anxiety, Depression, Phobias and OCD.
Gestalt Therapy
This is a type of Psychotherapy, . It can help with Awareness in the body and oneself, which can be helpful as it can be visually seen and felt. The therapist will offer knowledge and play more of a guided role in the session. It works more with the ‘here and now’ and encourages the client to be present.
Gestalt has a few different Techniques, these include Sand Tray (looking at relationships, life dynamics using items chosen and placed by the client independently into a tray of sand), Empty Chair Technique (Guided Role Play), Art Therapy (Expressing emotions in a creative way), Body Language– looking at someone’s body language and bringing awareness to the client, looking at what may be going on within the client relating to their actions or presentation. Locating emotion-This type of therapy asks the client where they are feeling emotion in their body, naming the emotion, giving it a colour, size, smell. Then looking at what comes from that.
Mindfulness – Visualisations, breathing techniques, self-care habits are used to help promote a well-balanced routine, thus helping with self-worth and encouraging positive habits within a clients life.
Again, this type of therapy is used to treat Anxiety, Depression, Low self-Esteem, Relationship problems. It focuses on the present life, the ‘here and now’ rather than past experiences.
Counselling can be a good resource and can benefit people in so many ways. We hope you find it useful too.
We offer all of these types of counselling alongside many other types of Therapeutic Therapies. We also have a Child Counsellor, and Couples Therapy Counsellor within The Clinic.
