Thursday 05 February is ‘Time to Talk’ day, with is aimed at encouraging everyone to have conversations about mental health to break the stigma, with events organised by charities like Mind and Rethink Mental Illness to promote open discussions and support.
One Service which people may find helpful in their journey is Counselling, and in this blog we will go over what it is, how it works and the potential benefits.
What is Counselling?
Introduction:
Counselling is sometimes referred to as Talking Therapy or Psychological Therapies and generally takes place at an arranged place face to face, in a group, by telephone or online, with sessions lasting for about 45-50 minutes. These could be for one person, a couple or in a group. It is dependent on what the Counsellor/Therapist deems appropriate and for everyone’s personal circumstances, along with how many sessions they have. The sessions could be for your mental health, stress, relationships, behaviour, past or present trauma, or general situations that you struggle with.
The Counsellor is not there to judge you, but is there to listen without judgement, whilst you explore and talk through your emotions and concerns. The Counsellor is not there to tell you what you should do but might offer useful resources or information which might help you.
Assessment:
In the first meeting the Counsellor will ask you to fill in some paperwork and to write down your concerns, along with your history of any medical conditions and medication. If you have any medical conditions that are potentially complex needing more Specialist support, the Counsellor might ask for a GP letter before they can decide whether Counselling is suitable for you, or if another Counsellor with more Specialist knowledge is more appropriate.
You do not have to stay with a particular Counsellor if you feel you cannot connect with them, or feel you are unable to be open with them, as it is important that you feel relaxed and safe to be able to tell your story.
Once the initial assessment is completed, a suitable Counsellor can be assigned to you if done through the NHS, or if done privately a date will be arranged for your next appointment.
Contract:
It should be explained to you of how the sessions and service should work, with how many expected sessions are planned, although this could be changed with more sessions suggested if needed. If being arranged privately you should be told how much each session will cost and whether there is a retainer/cost if you do not attend a session. Finally, a verbal or printed contract is generally done so that both parties have clear boundaries of the way forward.
Benefits:
It is important to feel safe with your Counsellor, being able to be open and honest and to tell them the depth to your individual stories. If an established two-way trust is formed you should get more from your sessions, being able to explore your concerns, feeling lighter from doing so, although this could take time if deep emotions are surfaced. It is important to realise that Therapy to improve your situation takes time and might not always be a quick fix, possibly dipping in and out of over time until you feel confident to move forward.
You might find it easier to talk to a stranger who does not know you personally, and who is not involved with people you know. You can talk, cry and vent with no judgment, knowing that the Counsellor is trained to listen and empathise with your situation. Counselling might not resolve your problem, but it might make you feel a bit lighter and happier to be able to manage them.
Asclepius can offer a range of Counselling and Therapy options to suit your needs. This can include help with Depression or Anxiety, with more severe underlying mental health issues, addiction issues, bereavement, trauma or relationship issues. To understand more on how we can help, please give us a call on 0203 940 8700 or email through to enquiries@a-ohs.co.uk.
References:
Benefits of talking therapies – NHS
British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) What is counselling?
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