Counselling info

What is Counselling?

There are many definitions of counselling. Really, it is a way of helping youto explore and manage what is happening in your life. The overall aim ofcounselling is to provide an opportunity for you to work towards a moresatisfying and resourceful experience of life. Many of us use some of theseskills in our daily lives and often appreciate support from friends, colleaguesand family members. Sometimes however, our usual sources of supportcan be too close, inappropriate  or sometimes part of the problem.Counsellors who have been trained over many years have been shown tobe particularly effective in helping, especially in difficult or sensitivesituations. They are independent, neutral and professional and they respect your privacy. Naturally, each persons needs are different.

Counselling may beconcerned with:-

" addressing and resolving specific problems

" making decisions

" coping with crisis

" developing personal insight and knowledge

" working through feelings or inner conflict

" improving relationships with others

" personal development issues

Or any number of other issues, large or small, which crop up in everydaylife. The counsellors role is to facilitate your life in ways that respect yourvalues, personal resources and capacity for choice within your culturalcontext.Counselling can be helpful to clarify our problems and challenges, identifychanges we would like to make, gain fresh perspectives, consider theconsequences of various options and acknowledge the impact of life eventssuch as domestic abuse on our emotional wellbeing.

Why Counselling

People enter into counselling for a wide variety of reasons including:-

" loss of confidence or motivation

" stress

" bereavement, whether the death of someone close, or the effects ofbereavement on a loved one

" depression, a common and very preventable illness, often responds wellto counselling if undertaken promptly

" health problems, coping with poor health or that of a loved one

" alcohol and/or substance misuse

" domestic abuse, can result in experiencing many of the symptomsabove.

" problems with anger. Some agencies offer specialist anger managementcourses and       most counsellors should be able to help on a one to onebasis

Counsellors have helped people to make important changes in their lives,but equally have helped people to live more creatively with situations thatcannot easily be changed. Some clients find that the ability to discuss theirdifficulties openly with someone they can trust is sufficient reason on its ownto enter counselling, just explaining things to someone impartial can oftenclarify the situation.

How Counselling Works

You have to enter counselling willingly. Sometimes, a well meaning friendor family member, who might be concerned for you but unable to helpdirectly, might suggest counselling. You might go to a first session ofcounselling to see what it is all about. To take full advantage of thecounselling you must decide for yourself that it is worthwhile. You cancertainly stop at any time. Many people have received enough assistanceafter one contact with a counsellor, for others more sessions can be better.Counselling will be a specific arrangement between you and yourcounsellor. It will be entirely private except in exceptional circumstances.Counselling is not about making judgements. The counsellor will acceptyou whoever you are, regardless of status, lifestyle or whatever the issues you face.

Your Counsellor

Counselling works best if your counsellor is properly trained and qualified. Pathways is a counselling provider in Barnsley.They provide expert help to people experiencing domestic abuse.

An important professional body is the British Association for Counselling andPsychotherapy (BACP) (www.bacp.co.uk) which can supply details ofregistered counsellors.