Frequently Asked Questions
How Can Counselling Help?
Counselling provides a space to talk with a professional about concerns and problems that are stopping you from achieving your goals. The counsellor helps you to gain personal understanding while giving you the opportunity to explore different perspectives and options regarding the issues talked about.
WHEN SHOULD I SEE A COUNSELLOR?
As soon as you have experienced a trauma or realise that something is stoping you from moving forward in life you should consider talking with a professional. Mental health is important and talking with a counsellor early can often help overcome problems more quickly and get back into life more easily, thus preventing more serious problems in the future. How long it takes to overcome adversity of any kind depends on the issue, individual person and circumstance; however, like most things in life the earlier we seek help improves the outcome.
DOES SEEING A COUNSELLOR ADMIT FAILURE?
Asking for help is a sign of courage and desire to not give in to problems or set backs. Failure comes only when we stop trying to improve. Seeing a counsellor is not an admission of failure rather it shows determination to overcome challenges and recognition that we do not have to do it alone - it is ok to ask for help.
IS THE COUNSELLOR GOING TO JUDGE ME?
No. It is not the counsellor's role to judge.
HOW AND WHAT DO I SAY TO THE COUNSELLOR?
The counsellor is there to listen to you so you can be relaxed and talk about what concerns you. The counsellor will ask questions to help understand, clarify your meaning, and encourage you. It is ok if you don't know what to say or sometimes say nothing. There are different ways to help express our concerns, fears or anxiety. Through the therapeutic process the counsellor can help you find a way to say what you need to say.
WILL THE COUNSELLOR TELL ME WHAT TO DO?
The aim of counselling is to encourage personal growth. The counsellor's role is to help you decide what it is you want to do by clarifying your words and asking about different decisions you might make or might not make based on what has been discussed. Sometimes the counsellor might provide information and ideas of how or what might be done in situations. They could throw ideas out to give you perspectives and options to consider. The responsibility of choosing what to do belongs with you.