Counselling, also known as psychotherapy and talking therapy is the process by which a client and a trained therapist sit down together to explore the issues the client may be facing in a safe, confidential, and welcoming environment. The role of the counsellor is to listen to the client and provide empathy and non-judgement throughout.

 

The most important aspect of the counselling process lies in the therapeutic relationship between counsellor and client, as this is where the trust will grow and develop and empower the client towards self- acceptance and positive therapeutic change.  

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​Working with Trauma

 

Unfortunately, trauma is everywhere. Most people have experienced it in one way or another, either directly or indirectly. Therefore, working effectively with trauma means to understand the impact of it, and the effect it is having on you.

 

The essence of trauma is to sever connection and disempower the individual. It wants to disconnect us from others, and from ourselves, and it is within this isolation that we develop self-destructive or maladaptive coping strategies and patterns of behaviour.  

 

We do not process trauma by reliving traumatic events or immersing ourselves in the narrative, rather -we process it by both learning to reconnect with our body and through effective and relevant psychoeducation - by understanding the role our brain has taken as our ultimate protector.

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"In trauma counselling we are looping our consciousness around places in our psyche and our bodies that hold unprocessed emotions, sensations, images and thoughts... We bring the light of conscious awareness to our wounds - we attend to the pain so we can become integrated and whole."

Dr Aurielle Schwartz

 

 

Choosing The Right Counsellor

 

Considering counselling can be a daunting prospect, especially if you are already feeling overwhelmed and are finding things difficult to face. I won’t lie, therapy can be tough, on you, on those around you (and on your wallet) – but it may also be the best investment you ever make. After all, good mental health is a non-negotiable for a happy and fulfilled life and in my experience, there is no better investment than self-improvement.  

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Choosing a counsellor can also be a tricky business, there are loads of us! plus lots of different models and approaches – how do you know who or what is right for you? In my experience of being both client and counsellor, there is only one question you need to ask yourself to answer this conundrum -

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Q. What do I need and want from counselling?  

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If any of the following answers feel relevant or important to you, we may just be a good fit for each other.

 

• I need to feel heard, and to have my feelings and experiences validated. 

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• I want to explore issues that I have found difficult to look at in the past, but I need to feel comfortable and supported in doing so. 

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• I need to feel a connection with my counsellor that makes me feel understood, accepted, and not judged.

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• I want to come away from a session with increased self-awareness and insight that I can work on in my everyday life. I don’t want to feel like I am being analysed and dictated to.  

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• I need to feel that I am in control of what we talk about, how deep or far we go and the pace of the sessions.  

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• I want to love and accept myself more and feel empowered to achieve my goals and maintain healthy boundaries. 

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• I need to allow myself the space and time to find the clarity required to stop feeling stuck.

 

​​​​​​To learn more about the types of issues counselling can help with, you may find this 'A to Z list' compiled by the BACP useful.  

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