Counselling gives you the opportunity to explore what you are experiencing in a supportive and confidential relationship. Often, this is the first time the person has spoken about what’s happened or even begin to put language on it. This is often the most difficult step but can be very healing. Psychotherapy is exploration at greater depth, bring insights from the unconscious to the conscious. This can provide the opportunity for greater self-understanding and self-acceptance, leading to better choices in the future.
In the initial session, you and your therapist will try to understand what the difficulties are which bring you into therapy and to discuss what it is you are hoping to achieve through the therapy. A contract is agreed between both of you, about times, fees, confidentiality and any questions you may have for them regarding how they work can be asked. They will be happy to address any questions that you bring. You choose what and how much you would like to say. The conversations are confidential between the two of you, and you meet in a room by ourselves or online by yourselves. They are there to support you and help you reach clarity and understanding and a way through your difficulties. After the initial session, the sessions are normally 50 minutes in length.
Once a week is the usual length of time between sessions. This helps the continuity of the therapy and allows time in between the sessions to integrate and build on the material covered. A longer time lapse between sessions can break this continuity and the process may take longer. If a person needs additional support, extra sessions can be offered.
People come for many different reasons but generally, it is because something is not working in their lives. They may feel stuck or feel that they can’t go on and wish to talk in confidence with someone. Sometimes people come because they are in crisis as something has happened that has turned life upside down. Others come to talk things out, to get greater clarity if they are struggling with a decision. Sometimes people come because they want to understand themselves and what is happening in their lives.
This varies, from person to person. What is usually asked is a for a commitment of 6 to 10 session at the start, providing that you are comfortable with your therapist after the 1st session. The therapy can continue for a few weeks to several months or even longer. Most people find they gain a deeper understanding of themselves with the length of time they spend in therapy. However, it is always your choice how long you wish to spend in therapy.
Yes – if you want to find a deeper and clearer understanding of your experiences and problems. Often the choices needed to bring about change are hidden in feelings, inner turmoil or worry. Our experience is that when a person works through these feeling, change is brought about.
