Counselling and Psychotherapy in Glasgow
What can I expect from counselling?
If you've never had counselling before, you may wonder about things like:
- Why is it different from talking to a friend?
- What's special about it?
- Will the counsellor tell me what to do?
- Will I have to talk about all my most private feelings?
- Will it prop me up, give me a new friend, make me happy?
Let me try to answer some of these questions.
What is counselling — what's special about it?
Counselling takes place between a client and a counsellor in a confidential setting, where they can explore together any difficulties a client may be experiencing which may be causing them to feel low or depressed, distressed or anxious, or that they may have lost direction in their life. The counsellor is actively listening, trying to get a sense of the difficulties the client is experiencing. By exploring and talking through these difficulties at the client's own pace, it may become clearer why they are experiencing these unsettling feelings, and what they can do to change feelings or behaviour.
Why is it different from talking to friends or family?
Friends and family have their own agendas. Usually, they care about you and want you to feel better as quickly as possible — their own feelings about you may get in the way of helping at your own pace, and you too may want to hold back for many reasons. As well as this, friends and family, quite reasonably, want a share of the conversation — they want to talk about themselves sometimes.
In counselling, the counsellor is there just for you and your concerns. They will keep whatever you say private (with only a few exceptions which they will explain to you). You can rely on the counsellor to be there, interested in your life, for the full appointment time. You can say anything you like about any feelings you may have. And you'll be respected, never judged.
Will the counsellor give me advice and be my friend?
No. The counsellor knows that only you are really the expert on your life, and helping you to explore your ideas and feelings will help you, yourself, make decisions on what to do and how to be as you begin to see things differently. Your counsellor may help you to look at possible choices, but will never assume they know best about how you should go about things.
A counsellor will be warm and genuine, but is not, and can never become, a friend. This is a professional relationship which only happens in the counselling room, and will at some point come to an end.
What will counselling do for me?
When counselling works well it can help you to change your feelings and your behaviour, so that you can look at your past and present life from a different perspective, and look forward to a future that is more fulfilling and more the way you want it to be.
Do call or email me to discuss appointments with no obligation.
Call: 07790 572099
Email: steven@stevendalycounselling.co.uk