Counselling

What is counselling?

Counselling falls under the umbrella term ‘talking therapies’ and allows people to discuss their problems and any difficult feelings they encounter in a safe, confidential environment. The term can mean different things to different people, but in general, it is a process people seek when they want to change something in their lives, or simply explore their thoughts and feelings in more depth.

A counsellor is not there to sit you down and tell you what to do. Instead, they will encourage you to talk about what's bothering you in order to uncover any root causes and identify your specific ways of thinking. The counsellor may then look to create a plan of action to either help you reconcile your issues, or help you to find ways of coping.

Why would I try counselling?

Here are just a few of the recognized benefits from seeing a counsellor:

1.    Increased skills in interpersonal communication.

2.    Improved interpersonal relationships.

3.    Decreased depressive symptoms.

4.    Decreased anxiety symptoms.

5.    Reduction in pharmaceutical interventions.

6.    Improved quality of life.

7.    Clarity of behavioural contribution to wellbeing.

8.    Reduction of suicidal ideation.

9.    Improvement in emotional self regulation.

10. Reduction in substance misuse.

Our counsellors work with grief and bereavement, trauma, anxiety, depression and life transitions.

Bereavement

Losing a loved one is a difficult event in anyone's life. The loss can bring up a wide range of emotions including guilt and anger. Some people benefit from speaking openly to a counsellor about their feelings to help ease the process and resolve any remaining issues they may have.

Mental health

Suffering from a mental health issue such as depression can feel incredibly isolating. Counselling looks to discuss the feelings that arise in conjunction with these kinds of mental health issues, as well as overcome any personal challenges or frustrations.

Trauma

Whether you've been involved in an accident or you have been the victim of abuse, the psychological impact of trauma can last years after the event itself. In a counselling session, you are encouraged to explore your feelings regarding the incident and look into how these could be resolved or changed.

Anxiety and stress

Feelings of stress and anxiety are becoming all too common in today's society. Counselling can offer practical advice for overcoming these kinds of issues, as well as allowing you the space to vent your frustrations and feelings.