We’ve all heard the saying ‘a problem shared is a problem halved’ and I really believe in this sentiment. Sharing with a friend or family member can help you to lighten the load, however, sharing with a counsellor can do so much more. Often when speaking with someone close to us we may be concerned that we will worry them or hurt their feelings if we fully open up. We may also be scared that they will judge us for how we feel or our behaviours. In contrast, the therapeutic relationship created between counsellor and client allows you to be truly heard without this fear of judgement or concern for the other. This opens up the possibility of being able to share how you really feel and fully explore your emotions and experiences in an uncensored way. This can be a liberating experience that many feel they will never be able to have.
How can counselling help?
Counselling offers you a dedicated and confidential space to reflect on your current circumstances or life experiences from your past. The two are often linked and counselling can help you to make these connections to gain a better sense of who you are.
You may be stuck in unhelpful and self-critical patterns of thinking, counselling can support you to identify these patterns and challenge them in a safe and supportive way. This can help you to be kinder to yourself and think in ways that allow you to feel a sense of hope for your future.
You may have experienced a relationship breakdown or issues within your family relationships. Counselling allows a space to process your emotions attached to these events and help you make sense of them. With understanding comes insight and the potential for personal growth and change even when you feel it may never be possible. Often people come to counselling having held on to a secret or a personal experience for years. This can create a sense of shame and guilt which prevents them from being able to form and maintain relationships or live happy and healthy lives. The relationship created between counsellor and client offers you a place to share these experiences, knowing that your counsellor will hold that information confidentially and without judgement. Finally being able to trust someone enough to open up can be a hugely empowering experience that allows for the healing process to begin.
Throughout my time as a counsellor I have seen how counselling really can change lives. I’ve had the honour and privilege of supporting clients to talk about things they never thought they could and move past this to a point where they view themselves differently and can see a future for themselves that they never thought possible.