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Counselling is a process that can provide
opportunities for individuals, couples and families to work
towards living in a more satisfying and resourceful way. Working
through painful or difficult situations with a trained professional
can increase our understanding of personal or relationship
problems.
Counselling provides a safe and supportive environment in
which to explore the feelings and emotions you have about
your past and present life experiences.
The counselling process is natural and not mysterious. Client
and counsellor will work together in a focused manner to enable
you to find solutions to your difficulties. You are in control
of what you talk about
and part of the counsellors role is to work at a pace
that suits you.
The aim of counselling is not to analyse or offer advice
but to develop your own strengths and means of coping with
your present and future life situations.A good counsellor
will not judge you but can help you develop more effective
ways of coping with those issues which may seem unmanageable
at present and to move towards new goals.
Counselling can help you if you:
-have no purpose or direction in your life.
-feel depressed, sad, downhearted, hopeless (and don't understand
why)
-are going through a personal or professional transition.
-are feeling stressed due to work, school, family or financial
problems.
-have lost someone close to youand feel you cannot cope.
-are experiencing communication problems with another family
member.
-are in the process of ending a relationship or separating.
-are spending more time than you want to drinking or gambling.
-or someone close to you is affected by substance abuse.
These are just some issues that people have when coming for
counselling, but you may also have other issues of your own.
What is having Counselling like?
For many people having couselling is a really positive experience.True,
it does sound a bit daunting and it can be a bit upsetting
at times, but it is a real luxury in our fast-moving world
to have time every week devoted to you. Time spent thinking
about how you feel and about what you want. More than that,
this time is spent with another person who is sympathetic
to you and concentrates on taking in what you are saying.
You can say whatever you like and it will saty between you
and your counsellor.Emotional pressures can be overwhelming,
talking to a counsellor gives you a chance to really explore
what you are feeling.
What should I look for in a Counsellor?
It is important to take care to find someone who you are
comfortable with. A professional counsellor will offer you
an initial appointment where you can discuss what you are
looking for and hope to achieve from counselling. If you subsequently
decide you do not want counselling or wish to look for another
counsellor a professional will not be offended and should
help you find someone else.
Some of the things you should ask about when choosing a counsellor
are:
-Has the counsellor taken a properly recognised training course?
-Does the counsellor work to a recognised code of practice?
-Does the counsellor have professional supervision?
-Does the counsellor keep up to date with regular training
courses?
About Pat Connolly
Pat has a diploma in Counselling from The Centre for Counselling
and Psychotherapy, Cork, where he studied since 1997. This
course is fully accredited by the Irish Association for Counselling
and Psychotherapy and he is currently working towards full
accreditation with I.A.C.P.
Pat has also trained as an Aftercare Group facilitator with
Aiseiri Treatment Centre, Cahir, Co. tipperary in 1995, and
worked as an Aftercare Group facilitator from 1995 to 1998.
Pat's website: Bandon
Counselling Services
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