It’s such an easy comment to make to someone who’s struggling. But what does it mean to go and speak to someone?
How to find a counsellor
There are many ways to find a counsellor. Google searches, professional directories, personal recommendations are amongst the most common ways. Here are some things to look for with a counsellor:
- Membership of a professional organisation (such as the BACP)
- Recognised qualifications (if you don’t recognise it, don’t be afraid to ask)
- Someone who speaks to you on a personal level – Think about what you like in a person and what sort of person you feel comfortable around.
If you’ve got questions, you should feel free to ask. Whether it’s via email or over the phone.
Once you’ve found a counsellor, make an initial appointment to go and see them.
And then what…?
Client’s are often unsure during first sessions. Naturally, there are a few bits of housekeeping that needs to be done during a first session, but there should be plenty of time for you to talk about what’s brought you to counselling and what you’d like to achieve (if you know that!).
It’s perfectly normal to be nervous about opening up to a stranger. In order to find out whether the counsellor feels able to support you they will ask you questions. Honesty is important, but so is going at your own pace. There’s no requirement for you to open up until you’re comfortable to do so.
Counselling is different things to different people and sometimes it’s different week to week for the same person.
As a counsellor, I’m trained to listen and support you. As a person, I aim to connect with each of my clients and ensure they feel safe and heard.
If you’d like to find out more about counselling with me, you can use the contact form to send me a message.