Here are some answers to questions that clients, and friends often ask me. If you would like more information, feel free to contact me and I will do my best to help you.
1. Do I really need counselling?
Everyone goes through challenging situations in life. If something has been troubling you that affects your well-being, seeking out extra support is beneficial. By seeking counselling, you are making a commitment to reflect and find a way to move forward. Counselling provides you support and tools to overcome the challenges you face.
2. Is counselling right for me?
Seeking out counselling is a personal choice. People choose to have counselling if something causes depression, anxiety, or stress. Sometimes it could be issues from the past that is having an impact on your day to day life. Counselling can help address many issues including conflict, grief, stress management, and transitions in life. If you’re still not sure, the best way for things to become clearer is to book an initial session with a counsellor.
3. What is counselling like?
Every counselling session is unique and caters to an individual and their specific goals. I usually use the first one or two sessions, to talk about the concerns or questions you may have about your issues or the counselling process itself. This is an opportunity for you to figure if this is for you and there is no expectation of a continued commitment at this stage. Once you decide to continue, the therapy could be time-limited (12 sessions for example) or open-ended.
4. Is counselling confidential?
In general, the law protects the confidentiality of all communications between a client and psychotherapist. However, there are some exceptions required by law to this rule.
Exceptions include:
1. Suspected child abuse or dependant adult or elder abuse. The therapist is required to report this to the appropriate authorities immediately.
2. If a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another person. The therapist is required to notify the police.
3. If a client intends to harm himself or herself. The therapist will make every effort to work with the individual to ensure their safety. However, if an individual does not cooperate, additional measures may need to be taken.
5. Does counselling work?
Several benefits can come out of counselling. Some of the benefits can include:
1. Attaining a better understanding of yourself, your goals and values
2. Learning new ways to cope with stress and anxiety
3. Better management of emotions such as anger, grief and depression
4. Tracking down new ways to solve problems in your family or marriage
5. Building on your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence
