What is Counselling?
All through life we seek out help of various kinds to support our growth and development. Sometimes more difficult issues in our personal lives or relationships require specific skilled help and this is where counselling can help. We may have issues in our personal lives, others in relationships. Counselling responds to the cry of the heart for help. You may want to address anger or communication issues, or seek recovery from sexual abuse or help for relationship breakdown.
Counselling can take the form of ‘talk therapy’ or ‘play therapy’, where an individual, couple or family meet with a counsellor to work through issues and problems that they are facing in their lives. Counselling can provide people with the opportunity to share their views, be heard, and to gain new perspectives through exploration on their situation and experiences. Counsellors seek to walk along side and empower clients to set goals and make their own decisions and changes.
What happens when I come for my first session?
During office hours:
You will come to the front reception where our receptionist will welcome you and give you a consent form to sign which will explain the limits surrounding the confidentiality of your session. You will then be given an invoice which is payable before your session.
You will be introduced to your counsellor and begin your first session. You will have the opportunity to ask any questions that you may have with your counsellor.
After office hours:
You will be asked by our clerical staff when you make an appointment to either wait outside the door or come in to the large front foyer just before your session. Your counsellor will come out and take you into your counselling session. At the end of the session you will be invoiced and you can pay then or later to the clerical staff.
The counsellor will explain how counselling might help and you will set some goals for future counselling sessions together. Before you come to counselling it is important to try and think about what you would like to achieve from counselling.
Sometimes the counsellor may refer you to another speciality service or organisation that can assist you with a specific issue or problem. This is our duty of care to ensure that you as our client receive the best possible service.
At the end of your first session your counsellor may discuss with you how many sessions may be required to reach your counselling goals. You will then book your next session with your counsellor or through the front desk clerical staff.
What might happen in ongoing counselling?
Counselling is a collaborative talking relationship designed to support you. Counsellors will listen, ask questions, share experience and knowledge, and work to develop a safe and supportive relationship with you. During counselling you might be asked to reflect on your thoughts and feelings, experiences, relationships, faith and behaviours. At times counsellors might request you complete homework tasks or bring information to appointments.
At times the counsellor might suggest you seek other help to support the work you do in counselling this might include services from other professionals, your church, family, friends or community members.
At all times the goal of the counsellor is to help you move forward in your life and experience improved mental health and well-being