What is counselling?

In the vast majority of cases counselling or psychotherapy is it not something that someone else sends the client to, it is a decision for each individual that considers working with a therapist.
Counselling is a process were two people, a therapist and a client agree to meet on a weekly basis at a set time to create a space and relationship for the client to discuss issues that to a greater or less degree affect their everyday life.

The relationship that is formed between the client and counsellor provides a space where the client can speak about the difficulties in their life and differs from many other existing relationships in that the counsellor will not judge, offer advice, give direction or take personal benefit from the clients situation.
By working together in this way a client will be encouraged to share their thoughts and feelings.  As the level of trust grows in the relationship and through the counsellors training a clearer insight and perspective may be gained of the issues that are brought to therapy. By working in this way a client may be able to examine their life, relationships and how they behave in them with a view to considering making changes.

Each person brings with them a differing experience and a unique view of their world; the counsellor respects this individuality, choices and directions that are taken as a result of this. To insure that the client has control over the direction and duration of the work being done a counsellor will offer a clear contract at the beginning of therapy with regard to its duration, whether this is weeks, months or years and the clients decision as to when to end the work together.

© City Counsellor