There are so many Counsellors, Psychotherapists,Therapists! Knowing where to start and what to look for can be daunting. Here, I will guide you through some of the key steps that maybe useful in helping you find the right therapist for you.
Who can help me?
Knowing where to start and what to look for can be daunting. And the terminology can be confusing.
Counsellors
Psychotherapists
Therapists
These are all terms used to describe trained professionals who can provide counselling or psychotherapy as a service.
Where can I find them?
Directories that require proof of training for the Counsellor or Psychotherapist, are assured places to look. Here are a few;
What’s the difference?
Counselling is typically short term (6-12 weeks). Counselling usually works to support you with a particular issue; relationship issues, anxiety or loss.
Psychotherapy is longer term, and for some this can mean 6 months or years. Psychotherapy is working at a deeper level to bring around understanding, change and recovery form deeper life long ways or recovery after a traumatic event.
Therapy can describe either of these.
What will my Counsellor do?
Your Counsellor or Psychotherapist will listen very carefully to you, your story and, in time, explore the way this has impacted you.
Your Counsellor or Psychotherapist will provide you with a safe and confidential space to share the full force of your experiences. You do not have to hide anything from your counsellor.
Your Counsellor or Psychotherapist will sometimes ask questions that help you, together you will explore what your experiences have meant for you.
You Counsellor or Psychotherapist will help you to get clarity on what you want and need a the moment.
What type of Counsellor or Psychotherapists are there?
The ‘modality’ describes the type of training your therapist has had. This might be Humanistic, Transactional Analysis, Gestalt, Integrative, Psychodynamic to name just a few.
A 'modality' is the view the Counsellor holds when they work with you.
What will my Counsellor or Psychotherapist NOT do?
Your Counsellor or Psychotherapist will not judge you.
Your Counsellor or Psychotherapist will not label you.
Your Counsellor or Psychotherapist will not make decisions for you.
Your Counsellor or Psychotherapist will not tell you much about themselves.
Did you know....
The biggest factor in predicting best therapeutic outcomes for you is that you and your therapist work well together. It is the relationship that heals.
Counselling should feel safe, healing and, at times, challenging.
You don’t need to be in crisis to feel the benefit of counselling.
Lots of people have a counsellor.
How do I get help?
Search the directories.
Find a few profiles you like.
Email the Counsellors to introduce yourself.
Counselling can help and beginning this is just an email away.
Ruth
Comments