Questions about counselling
How do I know if I need counselling?
“If it’s unmentionable, its unmanageable”
Only you can decide whether you wish to try counselling. Talking to someone confidentially who is not a friend or family member can make all the difference because they are not emotionally involved. Counselling provides a regular time and safe space for those in distress to talk about their problems and explore their feelings, enabling the development of new or better ways of coping.
When you can start mentioning things that are worrying you, they become more manageable.
How do I know which counsellor to choose?
This is an entirely personal decision and is the reason that it is so important to meet therapists before committing to work together.
For the therapeutic relationship to be effective it is essential that you feel safe, comfortable and not judged by your therapist. It is important that you feel you can trust your therapist and the environment in which you are working. During the initial session, you may find it helpful to ask questions of your therapist around their work experience, qualifications and other issues that you feel are relevant to working together.
The most important thing is that you feel entirely comfortable with your choice. Remember that a counsellor wants you to get the best out of your therapy experience and is there to answer any questions you may have or signpost you in a different direction if it is going to be of more benefit to you.
Clear counsellors are members of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy and adhere to their ethical framework, ensuring that you receive the best standards in psychotherapeutic care. We also engage in regular supervision, with accredited BACP supervisors and undertake regular training for our continuing professional development.
I’m worried about somebody else.
Being worried about someone else’s mental health and not knowing what to do can feel very stressful and can leave you feeling stuck. The action you take will depend on your relationship with the person, as well as on the problem that you suspect they have. Therapy can help support you with your decision making and provide further signposting information should this be necessary.