The purpose of counselling
The aim of counselling is to provide you with a safe place to explore personal issues and concerns, in a different way from how things are generally discussed with family or friends.
Counselling is an interaction between you and your counsellor, and focuses on one or more of the following:
- Helping to make changes in your life that you would like to happen.
- Managing a stressful situation differently.
- Working with you to improve your wellbeing.
- Sharing information and resources with you.
Counsellors are expected to have regular supervision with their counselling supervisor to ensure that they maintain and develop their skills, and continue to be fit to practice.
They may discuss your case with their clinical supervisor, and in this event, will ensure your identity is protected (for instance, making use of initials or first-name only).
If you want to know more about what supervision entails, please discuss with your counsellor.
Getting the most from your sessions
The charity Mind have included some tips here on how to get the most from therapy sessions.
It’s worth noting the beneficial effects of counselling can be hampered by distractions which can make it difficult to give your total attention. Below are a few examples to be aware of:
- Ringing phones (please have any other phones switched off or put in silent mode).
- Having the telephone session with the counsellor when you are in a noisy location.
- Other people within hearing distance as this may place constraints on you and being able to talk freely.
- Having the telephone session with the counsellor whilst you are driving (talking about emotionally sensitive subjects is likely to have an adverse effect on your concentration even if using hands-free). This means that the counsellor will ask you to find somewhere to pull-over safely before the session will continue.
- Please ensure you are fit and well to attend your session (whether via telephone or face-to-face). If the counsellor has concerns that you are under the influence of substances such as alcohol, they may terminate the sessions.
Ref: WPW0074 this information was updated August 2024.
