What to expect in counselling session?
There are so many different therapies out there. It can sometimes feel overwhelming and sometimes we are emotionally not present to understand what the counsellor is explaining. Take your time and ask the counsellor to explain how they work? What they are trained in and will it benefit the issue you have.
Safe and confidential space
The primary concern of Talk therapy is for you to have a safe and confidential space where you can talk about anything you want without feeling judged. A therapist endeavours to see the world from your perspective. It is like a mirroring process, a soundboard for your to process the issues you are facing or have experienced.
How sessions work
Each session is 50 minutes long. The number of sessions varies most counsellors recommend a minimum of 6 sessions but this is again circumstantial. we are all unique and the therapist will work at your pace. You will have a review with the counsellor to see if the counselling style will work for you.
Honesty is the best policy.
If the counsellor is not right for you there will be someone who you do connect with, keep looking till you find the right therapist.
How can counselling benefit me?
Emotional Regulation
When our body feels pain we will go to the physician to find out what is wrong with us. Our mind and thoughts are a connection within our body and when inflicted with emotional distress you can become feel overwhelmed, out of sync or low in resilience. Not all our life experiences are easy to move forward from. Your mind and body can feel overwhelmed because they have no safe, non-judgemental and empathic space to release what is going on in your mind. Counsellors or psychotherapists can benefit you by giving you a safe space to explore and address the uncomfortable parts of your life’s journey that still seem to have a hold on you. If your life experience has impacted you negatively and affected your life. It can be everyday routine, how you are in your social surroundings, why you have certain relationship patterns, or why you make certain life choices that can be detrimental to you then talk therapy can be a means to help you heal.
Starting the Healing Process?
Permission to Heal
The first thing I say to all my clients is why they have come to counselling? Secondly, give yourself permission to heal.
In order to move forward there needs to be conditions of growth. Some of you may be able to pinpoint why you feel the way you do but have not been able to address what happened and now you are ready to heal from the emotional wound. However, sometimes you are unable to clearly see the real reason behind emotional dysregulation. Talk therapy can be an empowering space enabling you to build resilience and grow.
Healing can be uncomfortable process BUT with a trained professional can be a safe process
Talking about the difficult experiences and emotions that we have felt in our life is uncomfortable and it is because we find it uncomfortable that we don’t want to address what happened. ‘just get on with’ or ‘it’s happened what the point in talking about now’ are common phrases used to self regulate but in actual fact the issues are still there stuck. A counsellor/psychotherapist is trained and can help you work through what has affected you safely, at your pace whilst building your resilience.